bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hyperacute rejection of a human orthotopic liver allograft in a presensitized recipient
Authors: Hanto Douglas W. , Snover Dale C. , Noreen Harriet J. , Sibley Richard K. , Gajl‐Peczalska Kazlmiera J. , Najarian John S. , Ascher Nancy L 
Published: September 2024

A 37‐year‐old female with liver failure received an ABO‐compatible orthotopic liver allograft and died of progressive liver failure 8 days later. The pretransplant T cell crossmatch was strongly positive using both the extended incubation and anti‐human immunoglobulin (AHG) techniques. The posttransplant extended incubation crossmatch results were negative, presumably secondary to intraoperative blood replacement, but remained positive using the more sensitive AHG technique. Donor‐specific lymphocytotoxic antibodies were demonstrated against the mismatched A11 HLA‐antigen. Histologic features characteristic of hyperacute rejection were found in liver tissue obtained 30 minutes, 5 d, and at autopsy 8 d after transplantation and included an intense polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltrate, fibrin and platelet aggregates, bile duct damage, endothelial inflammation, and ischemic hepatocellular necrosis. These results demonstrate for the first time in humans that hyperacute rejection mediated by donor‐specific lymphocytotoxic antibodies can occur in liver transplant recipients.
The clinical significance of vesico‐ureteral reflux into transplanted kidneys
Authors: Bootsma M. , Kootte A. M. M. , van Bockel J. H. , Obermann W. R. , Paul L. C. 
Published: September 2024

The significance of vesico‐ureteral reflux into the transplanted kidney was studied prospectively in 66 patients whose grafts had been functioning for more than 3 months. In all cases, an anti‐reflux technique with a submucosal tunnel had been used for insertion of the donor ureter into the recipient's bladder. Voiding cystograms were performed routinely 4 to 5 months (range 1 to 27) after transplantation. Comparison of the group of patients with (n = 43) and without (n = 23) reflux did not reveal any difference in the incidence of urinary tract infections. Furthermore, the number of rejection treatments, the number of antihypertensive drugs prescribed, the prevalence and degree of proteinuria, the graft function and the graft survival were not different in the two groups up to 4 years following transplantation.
Impact of HBs antigenemia on long‐term patient survival and causes of death after renal transplantation
Authors: Hiesse C , Buffet C. , Neyrat N. , Rieu P. , Charpentier B. , Etienne J. P. , Fries D. 
Published: September 2024

The impact of hepatitis B virus in renal transplantation remains a controversial subject. To evaluate the long‐term consequences of chronic HBs antigenemia on patient survival, we studied 615 consecutive patients who received a kidney transplant in a single center from 1970 to 1984, including 107 HBs Ag‐positive, and 508 HBs Ag‐negative patients. Pretransplant HBs Ag‐negative patients had a significantly better long‐term survival rate (80% vs 64% survival in HBs Ag‐positive patients at 10 years posttransplant, p<0.05). This difference was strongest in the subgroup of patients who had a functional graft at 3 months posttransplant (81% vs 60% at 10 yr, p<0.001), and in the subgroup of patients whose graft never failed (71% vs 53%). The overall mortality incidence was more important in pretransplant HBs Ag‐positive patients (34.4% vs 20.5% in HBs Ag‐negative patients, p<0.001), and liver failure was the main cause of death in the HBs Ag‐positive group after the 5th yr posttransplant (30% vs 4.2% in HBs Ag‐negative patients, p<0.05). Pretransplant serum transaminases did not predict posttransplant hepatic failure or death. Finally, the impact of HBs antigenemia was only seen in patients over 40 yr old at the time of transplant (50% vs 69% at 10 yr, p<0.01), and in patients receiving conventional drugs. We conclude that HBs Ag‐positive patients had an obvious moderately increased risk of mortality with renal transplantation, seen over the long term (16% at 10 yr). We recommend that candidates for renal transplantation should not be excluded from the procedure, but must be submitted to a careful pretransplant check‐up, and to routine liver monitoring if renal transplantation is to be performed.
Standard versus low‐dose OKT3 induction therapy of cadaveric renal transplants: Comparison of outcome data versus OKT3 dose and serum levels
Authors: Alloway Rita R. , Kotb Malak , Gaber Lillian W. , Vera Santiago R. , Boskey Freda , Gaber A. Osama 
Published: September 2024

Lymphocytoreductive therapy with the polyclonal antithymocyte globulin or the monoclonal anti‐CD3 antibody (OKT3) has been an integral part of sequential immunosuppressive protocols. The optimum dosage of OKT3 in early posttransplant induction is unknown, although the use of lower doses of OKT3 than those used in rejection treatment have been shown to be effective in cadaveric renal transplant recipients. We compared immune monitoring data from 25 recipients of primary cadaver renal allografts receiving low‐dose (2 mg) induction with data from a retrospective cohort of 27 patients who received 5‐mg standard dose. Both groups were treated with the identical sequential quadruple‐therapy protocol. Monitoring parameters included daily CD3 measurement, and twice weekly measurements of serum OKT3 levels and anti‐OKT3 antibodies. Patient and graft survival were similar in both groups. OKT3 dosage increases due to high peripheral CD3 levels were necessary in 4 out of 27 patients receiving the 5‐mg doses and in 8 out of 25 patients receiving the 2‐mg dose (p<0.05). The mean total dose in the standard‐dose group was 48 mg (range 30‐70 mg), while the mean total dose for the low‐dose group was 23 mg (range 10‐58 mg) (p<0.05). Circulating OKT3 levels were significantly higher in the standard‐dose group of patients than in that group receiving low‐dose therapy (p<0.0l). None of the patients with low circulating OKT3 levels developed major post‐transplant infections while 5 of 15 patients with high circulating levels (>700 ng/dl) required hospitalization for bacterial (n = 3) or viral (n = 2) infections in the first 3 months posttransplant (p<0.0001). Antimurine antibodies developed in 5 (19%) of the patients receiving standard‐dose therapy while only 2 (8%) of the patients receiving low‐dose induction became sensitized. These data indicate that the success of OKT3 induction therapy is not correlated to the dosage or to the circulating levels achieved and that higher circulating levels may be associated with increased risk for infection.
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura following orthotopic liver transplantation
Authors: Kuo Paul C. , Lewis W. David , Dzik Walter , Jenkins Roger L. 
Published: September 2024

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is characterized by autoimmune platelet destruction. Thrombocytopenia in the immediate postoperative period following liver transplantation is common but ITP in the late postoperative period has never been reported. Two cases of ITP presenting 9 and 39 months following orthotopic liver transplant are described. Evaluation must include eliminating secondary causes such as hypersplenism, drug toxicity, infection and lymphoproliferative disorders. In contrast to the treatment of ITP in the normal population, ITP in these transplant patients was refractory to routine medical therapy. The patients underwent splenectomy without complications. Platelet counts have remained normal at 9 and 12 months of follow‐up.
Cytokine changes in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following kidney transplantation
Authors: Burke G. W. , Cirocco R. , Carreno M. , Pardo V. , Roth D. , Castillo A. , Temple J. D. , Esquenazi V. , Milgrom M. , Miller J. 
Published: September 2024

The occurrence of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) following kidney transplantation is rare. We report a patient who developed TTP within 36 hours of kidney transplantation. For 5 months preoperatively, serum levels of Interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) and gamma interferon (IFN‐G) were markedly elevated. Subsequent to kidney transplantation and steroid administration, thrombocytopenia, with schistocytic anemia and severe neurologic changes (TTP), abruptly occurred. This was associated with a dramatic fall in the levels of IL‐2 and gamma‐IFN. There was no clinical improvement with plasmapheresis. The patient's serum was not cytotoxic when added with complement to the donor renal vein endothelial cells in vitro. Removal of the allograft corrected the TTP.
A comparison of duplex doppler ultrasonography and intrarenal manometry in the diagnosis of acute renal transplant rejection
Authors: Krishnan H. , Cochlin D. , Moore R. , Griffin P. , Salaman J. R. 
Published: September 2024

Renal transplant rejection is frequently difficult to differentiate from other causes of renal dysfunction. This study examined the use of duplex doppler ultrasound and intrarenal manometry in a consecutive series of 73 patients who underwent renal transplantation. Altogether 327 duplex scans were analyzed and, for each, a resistive index (RI) was calculated. A raised RI predicted rejection in patients with grafts that functioned immediately, but not in those that had delayed function. A rise in intrarenal pressure (≥40 mmHg) indicated the presence of rejection in both groups. However, neither lest had a sensitivity of more than 71% and this was not improved by combining the results of the two tests for each patient. Although both tests have a place in transplantation, renal biopsies may still be required to confirm rejection.
A comparison of cadaver donor kidney storage methods: Pump perfusion and cold storage solutions
Authors: Koyama Hiroto , Cecka J. Michael , Terasaki Paul I. 
Published: September 2024

The effects of preservation methods and cold storage solutions on the outcome of more than 17000 first cadaver kidney transplants were studied from data reported to the UNOS Scientific Renal Transplant Registry and to the UCLA Transplant Registry between 1987 and 1991. Early graft function was better in pump‐preserved than cold‐stored kidneys: 84% vs 73% at 1 week; and 87% vs 80% at discharge, respectively (p<0.01 in both comparisons). However, graft survival rates were similar at 3 months (87% vs 86%) and 1 year (80% vs 80%) (p>0.05 in both comparisons). Rejection episodes prior to discharge were the same in both groups. An analysis of results from 17 transplant centers where more than 50 pump‐stored kidneys were transplanted yielded similar results. Good early graft function of pump‐stored kidneys did not necessarily lead to better graft survival, when all current perfusion methods were compared. There was no clear superiority in terms of graft survival for pump‐stored kidneys, even with long cold ischemia lime or with kidneys from older donors. A comparison of UCLA Registry data survival results of different preservation solutions showed that 78% of 4565 kidneys preserved in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution had good immediate function, which was significantly better than those achieved with Collins' (74%) or Euro‐Collins' solutions (68%) (p<0.01). The 1‐year graft survival rale was significantly better with UW (83%) or Collins' (81%) solutions than with Euro‐Collins (78%) solution.
Treatments with versus without medication for children with behavioural difficulties in clinical practice: an economic evaluation with observational data
Authors: Kiernan Caitlin K. , Dijk Hermien H. , van den Hoofdakker Barbara J. , Hoekstra Pieter J. , Groenman Annabeth P. 
Published: September 2024

BackgroundEconomic evaluations of treatments for children with behavioural difficulties (i.e., characteristics of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)) usually rely on data of randomised controlled trials or are model‐based. Findings of such studies may not be representative of cost‐effectiveness and cost‐utility in clinical practice. The current longitudinal study aimed to perform an economic evaluation of treatments for children with hyperactivity, impulsive behaviours, inattention, and/or behavioural difficulties using observational data that were obtained in clinical practice.MethodsParents of 209 children (aged 5–12) who were referred to 1 of 10 Dutch youth mental healthcare institutions and who received treatment with (n = 108) or without (n = 101) the use of medication, filled out questionnaires at three timepoints (baseline, and ~ 6 and ~12 months later). Propensity score matching was used to make both groups comparable. Outcomes included quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs), ADHD and ODD symptom severity, and impairment. Costs were measured from a societal perspective. Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were estimated, and cost‐effectiveness acceptability curves (CEACs) were derived to show uncertainty around the ICER.ResultsResults did not show statistically significant differences in costs and effects between children who were treated with medication (alone or in combination with non‐medication treatment) and those who were treated without medication. CEAC suggested that medication treatment has a 55% probability of being cost‐effective at the €80,000 threshold and 36% at the €20,000 threshold compared with treatment without medication.ConclusionsUsing observational data, our study did not provide clear evidence of the cost‐effectiveness and cost‐utility of treatment with medication compared with treatment without medication in clinical practice.
Get unbent! R tools for the removal of arching and bending in fish specimens for geometric morphometric shape analysis
Authors: Arbour Jessica Hilary 
Published: September 2024

AbstractGeometric morphometrics is a powerful tool for studying fish body shape; however, body posture can be a hindrance to these analyses. Here I introduce new R language tools for correcting multiple types of bending of 3D data based on the TPS suite (geometric morphometric software) “unbend specimens” methodology. In a sample dataset of darters, these R tools adequately accounted for posture artifacts otherwise evident across multiple principal component axes. I hope these new tools will facilitate the incorporation of 3D landmark data into the comparative analysis of fish body shape.
Use of cardiac cell cultures from salmonids to measure the cardiotoxic effect of environmental pollutants
Authors: Krebs Torben , Bauer Julia , Graff Sarah , Teich Lukas , Sterneberg Markus , Gebert Marina , Seibel Henrike , Seeger Bettina , Steinhagen Dieter , Jung‐Schroers Verena , Adamek Mikolaj 
Published: September 2024

AbstractEnvironmental stressors such as micro‐ and nanosized plastic particles (MNPs) or crude oil have a detrimental effect on aquatic animals; however, the impact upon the cardiovascular system of fish remains relatively under‐researched. This study presents a novel approach for investigating the effect of crude oil and MNPs on the cardiac system of fish. We used salmonid larvae and cardiac cell cultures derived from hearts of salmonid fish and exposed them to environmental stressors. Following exposure to plastic particles or crude oil, the larvae exhibited some variation in contraction rate. In contrast, significant alterations in the contraction rate were observed in all cardiac cell cultures. The greatest differences between the control and treatment groups were observed in cardiac cell cultures derived from older brown trout. Following 7 days of exposure to MNPs or crude oil in Atlantic salmon larval hearts or cardiac cell cultures, there were only minor responses noted in mRNA expression of the selected marker genes. These findings show the use of a novel in vitro technique contributing to the existing body of knowledge on the impact of MNPs and crude oil on the cardiovascular system of salmonids and the associated risk.
Harnessing Plant Growth–Promoting and Wilt‐Controlling Biopotential of a Consortium of Actinomycetes and Mycorrhizae in Pigeon Pea
Authors: Dave Anand , Ingle Sanjay , Perveen Kahkashan , Bukhari Najat A. , Sayyed Riyaz , Mastinu Andrea 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTFusarium‐induced wilt significantly affects the cultivation and yield of pigeon peas. This warrants sustainable disease management while promoting plant growth. The present study investigated the biopotential of coinoculation of Streptomyces pseudogriseolus S‐9 and Rhizophagus irregularis for plant growth promotion and mitigation of the impact of Fusarium wilt on pigeon pea over three seasons at pot and field levels. Pigeon pea plants were subjected to Fusarium wilt stress and treated with different inoculation strategies, including single and combined applications of S. pseudogriseolus S‐9 and R. irregularis. Plant growth parameters and yields were assessed to evaluate the efficacy of the coinoculation. In the pot experiment, T‐6 treatment resulted in the longest root (62.56 ± 0.01 cm) and shoot (70.24 ± 0.01 cm) lengths compared to the application of commercial biofungicide T‐8 (Trichoderma). This treatment also significantly influenced the yield of potted plants. It resulted in the highest fresh root weight (62.27 ± 0.01 g), fresh shoot weight (70.24 ± 0.02 g), maximum root (55.25 ± 0.01 g) and shoot dry weights (52.25 ± 0.01 g). In the field experiment, pigeon pea plants treated with the bioinoculant also demonstrated a substantial increase (р ≤ 0.05) in total grain yield, the weight of 100 grains, and the number of filled grains compared to the control group in all experimental seasons. In vitro, antagonism assay of compatibility of mycorrhizae and bacteria showed good activity using powder formulation. Thus, the consortium application inspired the broad application of Streptomyces and Trichoderma as effective bioinoculants for wilt management and yield improvement in pigeon peas.
Assessing the phenology and reproductive output of loggerhead turtles in relation to climatic variables at Patara Beach, Türkiye
Authors: Şirin A. , Başkale E. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractLoggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), being ectothermic organisms, could be especially susceptible to climate change effects, and may exhibit climate‐related variation in their reproductive behaviours such as phenology, annual nest numbers, clutch size, hatching success, incubation period and sex ratio. This study investigated the reproductive phenology and outputs of loggerhead turtles and their relationships with climatic variables over a 5‐year period (2019–2023) at Patara Beach, Türkiye. We found significant fluctuations in atmospheric temperature, sea surface temperature and relative humidity, and that female turtle emergences on Patara Beach could temporarily adjust their phenology in response to these minor environmental changes. We highlight the importance of understanding the impacts of phenological shifts on the ability to satisfy the conditions over the nesting season that determine reproductive output. Our statistical analyses also showed that increasing sea water temperatures and atmospheric temperatures, as well as decreasing precipitation and relative humidity, had direct and/or indirect effects on the nesting phenology and reproductive output of loggerhead turtles. The findings from this study indicate that atmospheric temperature significantly affected incubation period, hatching success rate, the number of dead embryos and the number of empty eggshells. Additionally, relative humidity had a significant impact on the incubation period and the number of empty eggshells. In this context, rising temperatures led to drier nest conditions, decreased incubation periods and increased nest temperatures, resulting in higher proportions of female offspring. In conclusion, there are still gaps in our understanding of the effects of climate change on the reproductive biology of loggerhead turtles, and more studies are needed at both the Mediterranean and global scales to better understand these effects.
A landscape analysis of investors in the global breast milk substitute industry to target for advocacy
Authors: Wood Benjamin , Robinson Ella , McCoy David , Baker Phillip , Sacks Gary 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe International Code of Marketing of Breast‐milk Substitutes and subsequent resolutions (the Code) was adopted to address increases in mortality and morbidity resulting from the practices of the breast‐milk substitute (BMS) industry. The lack of success in ensuring company compliance with the Code has prompted advocates to consider engaging with investors to shape the governance of BMS companies. To support these efforts, this paper aimed to identify prominent investors in the global BMS industry and explore their Code‐related policies and practices. Using multiple methods and data sources, we developed a novel approach to identify and rank investors in the world's leading publicly listed BMS companies. We also examined the policies and voting behaviour of a sample of investors using publicly accessible materials from 2020 to 2022. We found that a small number of large investors, led by BlackRock and Vanguard, hold a substantial share in the global BMS industry. Of the top‐10 ranked investors, only Norway's Government Pension Fund (NBIM) reported policy information relating specifically to BMS marketing. Most of these large investors also opposed the sample of public health‐related shareholder proposals analysed. In addition, we identified several investors that have reported engaging with BMS companies on Code‐related issues, including NBIM, Pictet, and UBS, along with several potential investor targets for future advocacy efforts, including some North American public pension funds. The inclusion of Code‐related issues as part of broader policies, disclosures and regulations related to environmental, social and governance oriented investment warrants increased attention.
Unveiling the Coordinated Action of DesK/DesR and YvfT/YvfU to Control the Expression of an ABC Transporter in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Fernández Pilar , Porrini Lucía , Pereyra Julián Ignacio , Albanesi Daniela , Mansilla María Cecilia 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTTwo‐component systems (TCSs) are vital signal transduction pathways ubiquitous among bacteria, facilitating their responses to diverse environmental stimuli. In Bacillus subtilis, the DesK histidine kinase thermosensor, together with the response regulator DesR, constitute a TCS dedicated to membrane lipid homeostasis maintenance. This TCS orchestrates the transcriptional regulation of the des gene, encoding the sole desaturase in these bacteria, Δ5‐Des. Additionally, B. subtilis possesses a paralog TCS, YvfT/YvfU, with unknown target gene(s). In this work, we show that YvfT/YvfU controls the expression of the yvfRS operon that codes for an ABC transporter. Interestingly, we found that this regulation also involves the action of DesK/DesR. Notably, opposite to des, yvfRS transcription is induced at 37°C and not at 25°C. Our in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrate that both YvfU and DesR directly bind to the operon promoter region, with DesR exerting its control over yvfRS expression in its unphosphorylated state. Our study uncovers an intriguing case of cross‐regulation where two homologous TCSs interact closely to finely tune gene expression in response to environmental cues. These findings shed light on the complexity of bacterial signal transduction systems and their critical role in bacterial adaptability.