bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The implementation of surface plasmon resonance technique in monitoring pregnancies with expected fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Bakchoul Tamam , Bertrand Gérald , Krautwurst Annika , Kroll Hartmut , Bein Gregor , Sachs Ulrich J. , Santoso Sentot , Kaplan Cécile 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundMaternal anti‐HPA‐1a alloantibodies are responsible for most cases of severe fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT). The presence of HPA‐1a alloantibodies in maternal blood alone does not predict the fetal platelet (PLT) count, and the predictivity of antibody titers determined by enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) is debated. In contrast to EIA, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) provides information on antibody‐binding properties.Study Design and MethodsSequential sera from pregnant women with expected FNAIT were assessed for HPA‐1a alloantibodies using SPR. Group I (n = 6) was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and steroids beginning at 19 weeks of gestation (w.g.), and Group II (n = 4) received intrauterine PLT transfusions (IUT) beginning at 22 w.g. Maternal alloantibodies were quantified using an HPA‐1a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) as a standard. Antibody avidity was determined as the ratio of B700 (end of the dissociation phase) to B350 (end of the association phase); the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to determine overall antibody binding.ResultsAfter 22 w.g., alloantibody characteristics remained stable in both groups, while there was a steep decrease in B700 and B350 values between 16 and 22 w.g. (assessed only in Group I), indicating a decrease in anti‐HPA‐1a alloantibody concentrations. Interestingly, the AUCs of the last maternal sample before elective delivery appeared to be correlated with fetal and neonatal PLT counts (p = 0.014 and 0.017, respectively).ConclusionSPR provides quantitative information on HPA‐1a alloantibody characteristics in addition to monoclonal antibody–specific immobilization of platelet antigens. SPR results can be calibrated using a MoAb standard and should be further assessed for a potential correlation with fetal PLT count.
A pilot study to assess the hemostatic function of pathogen‐reduced platelets in patients with thrombocytopenia
Authors: Johansson Pär I. , Simonsen Anne Catrine , Brown Peter N. , Ostrowski Sisse R. , Deberdt Liesbeth , Van Hoydonck Pascale , Yonemura Susan S. , Goodrich Raymond P. 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundPlatelet (PLT) support is critical to the care of patients with thrombocytopenia, but allogeneic transfusions carry risk. Pathogen reduction mitigates some transfusion risks, but effects on PLT function remain a concern. This clinical pilot study assessed the effect of pathogen reduction technology with riboflavin plus ultraviolet light using thrombelastography (TEG).Study Design and MethodsThis prospective, randomized, crossover study compared Mirasol‐treated (MIR) and standard reference (REF) PLT transfusions. PLT counts and TEG measurements were taken at pretransfusion and 1‐ and 24‐hour‐posttransfusion time points. The primary outcome measure was the pretransfusion to 1‐hour‐posttransfusion change in maximum amplitude (ΔMA1hr). Secondary endpoints included ΔMA among other time points, relative MA, and the PLT count–MA correlation.ResultsOf 16 enrolled patients, one withdrew before study treatment and three did not require two transfusions, leaving 12 patients in the efficacy analyses (seven MIR‐REF, five REF‐MIR). ΔMA1hr (mean ± SD) was 10.60 ± 6.47 mm for MIR and 14.33 ± 5.38 mm for REF (p = 0.20, n = 10). ΔMA24hr was 9.49 ± 7.94 for MIR and 7.13 ± 3.08 for REF (p = 0.38, n = 9); ΔMA24hr‐1hr was −1.11 ± 2.95 for MIR and −7.20 ± 4.81 for REF (p = 0.016, n = 8). MA values for MIR and REF correlated with the log of PLT count (rMIR = 0.6901, rREF = 0.7399).ConclusionTEG is sensitive to changes in hemostatic function resulting from a single PLT transfusion. MIR and REF provided similar increments in hemostatic function in the immediate posttransfusion period and at 24 hours. A significant difference detected for ΔMA24hr‐1hr suggests different PLT clearance mechanisms. The relationship of these variables to clinically meaningful outcomes, for example, bleeding events or transfusion requirements, has yet to be determined.
Motivational differences between whole blood and plasma donors already exist before their first donation experience
Authors: Veldhuizen Ingrid , van Dongen Anne 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundThe demand for plasma products has increased rapidly. It is therefore important to understand donating behavior by plasma donors. This study investigates whether motivational differences between whole blood and plasma donors already exist at the beginning of a donor career.Study Design and MethodsNew donors (n = 4861) were invited to fill out a questionnaire before their first donation (response, 61%). The questionnaire assessed variables from the Theory of Planned Behavior (intention, self‐efficacy, attitude, and norms), conscientiousness, and donation anxiety. Three years later it was determined who became whole blood or plasma donor. Multivariable linear regression analyses for intention were fitted separately for whole blood and plasma donors. A logistic regression analysis was executed to estimate the effect of intention at the beginning of a donor career on becoming a plasma donor.ResultsPlasma donors had a higher intention, self‐efficacy, attitude, and conscientiousness and a lower anxiety than whole blood donors. In plasma and whole blood donors, both self‐efficacy and cognitive attitude were positively related to intention but with different strength (plasma, β = 0.47 and β = 0.30; whole blood, β = 0.57 and β = 0.17). Having a high level of intention increased the odds of becoming a plasma donor (odds ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.12‐1.59).ConclusionMotivational differences already exist between future whole blood and plasma donors before their first donation. Although a feeling of self‐efficacy is necessary for all new donors, more favorable cognitions are important for future plasma donors. Recruitment strategies for plasma donors should focus on attracting the more self‐confident donors by highlighting the usefulness of plasma donation.
Blood utilization in patients with burn injury and association with clinical outcomes (CME)
Authors: Lu Rommel P. , Lin Feng‐Chang , Ortiz‐Pujols Shiara M. , Adams Sasha D. , Whinna Herbert C. , Cairns Bruce A. , Key Nigel S. 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundUncontrolled bleeding is an important cause of increased transfusion in burn victims; however, description of blood utilization patterns in the burn population is lacking.Study Design and MethodsWe conducted a single‐institution, retrospective cohort study to measure blood utilization in 89 consecutive burn patients with 15% to 65% total body surface area (TBSA) burn within 60 days of injury. We also evaluated the relationship of blood product utilization with clinical variables including anticoagulant usage and mortality.ResultsWe determined that: 1) the predictors for increased red blood cells (RBCs) and plasma transfusions were high TBSA burn and the use of argatroban anticoagulation (for suspected heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia [HIT]); 2) TBSA burn and patient age were independent predictors of mortality, but not RBC or plasma transfusion; and 3) the incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolic events is not uncommon (11.2%), although HIT is rare (1.1%).ConclusionDespite concerns about adverse correlation between increased number of transfusions and mortality in other clinical settings, we did not find this association in our study. However, we demonstrated that the type and intensity of anticoagulation carries substantial risk for increased RBC as well as plasma usage.
Neural circulatory control during exercise: early insights
Authors: Mitchell Jere H. 
Published: December 2012

New Findings
What is the topic of this lecture?Sir William Paton, a distinguished physician scientist, was interested in the origins of concepts in physiology. This lecture explores the early insights on the neural control of the circulation during exercise.
What advances does it highlight?This lecture presents some of the outstanding seminal investigations on the central and peripheral control mechanisms that regulate the autonomic neural activity to the heart and blood vessels during exercise.
During exercise, the cardiovascular response is rapidly and appropriately matched to the intensity of the physical activity. The autonomic nervous system plays an important role in achieving this closely matched circulatory response by an increase in the sympathetic nerve activity to the heart, blood vessels and adrenal medulla and a decrease in the parasympathetic nerve activity to the heart. Early insights into the mechanisms that controlled these cardiovascular changes during exercise were reported in the 19th century. At that time, two mechanisms were hypothesized to be responsible for these changes. In one mechanism, a signal arising in a central area of the brain causes a parallel activation of skeletal muscle contraction and of autonomic nervous system changes (now termed ‘central command’). In the other mechanism, a signal arising in the contracting skeletal muscle causes a reflex activation of the autonomic nervous system changes (now termed ‘exercise pressor reflex’). Some important investigators involved in early studies include Johan Johansson, August Krogh, Johannes Lindhard and Horace Smirk. Also, Florence Buchanan and Louis Fridericia should be recognized for their contributions. In more recent years, the important involvement of a third mechanism, the arterial baroreflex, has been elucidated. Since those early insights, experiments in both animals and humans have added important findings that strongly support these early hypotheses.
Utility of PCR in Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Infections: Real-Life Data from a Multicenter Study
Authors: Lass-Flörl Cornelia , Mutschlechner Wolfgang , Aigner Maria , Grif Katharina , Marth Claudia , Girschikofsky Michael , Grander Wilhelm , Greil Richard , Russ Gudrun , Cerkl Peter , Eller Mirjam , Kropshofer Gabriele , Eschertzhuber Stephan , Kathrein Hermann , Schmid Stefan , Beer Ronny , Lorenz Ingo , Theurl Igor , Nachbaur David 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT
Prospective studies addressing the clinical value of broad-range PCR using the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) for diagnosis of microscopy-negative fungal infections in nonselected patient populations are lacking. We first assessed the diagnostic performance of ITS rRNA gene PCR compared with that of routine microscopic immunofluorescence examination. Second, we addressed prospectively the impact and clinical value of broad-range PCR for the diagnosis of infections using samples that tested negative by routine microscopy; the corresponding patients' data were evaluated by detailed medical record reviews. Results from 371 specimens showed a high concordance of >80% for broad-range PCR and routine conventional methods, indicating that the diagnostic performance of PCR for fungal infections is comparable to that of microscopy, which is currently considered part of the “gold standard.” In this prospective study, 206 specimens with a negative result on routine microscopy were analyzed with PCR, and patients' clinical data were reviewed according to the criteria of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Mycoses Study Group. We found that broad-range PCR showed a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 57.1%, 97.0%, 80%, and 91.7%, respectively, for microscopy-negative fungal infections. This study defines a possible helpful role of broad-range PCR for diagnosis of microscopy-negative fungal infections in conjunction with other tests.
ORF9p Phosphorylation by ORF47p Is Crucial for the Formation and Egress of Varicella-Zoster Virus Viral Particles
Authors: Riva Laura , Thiry Marc , Bontems Sebastien , Joris Aline , Piette Jacques , Lebrun Marielle , Sadzot-Delvaux Catherine 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT
The role of the tegument during the herpesvirus lytic cycle is still not clearly established, particularly at the late phase of infection, when the newly produced viral particles need to be fully assembled before being released from the infected cell. The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) protein coded by open reading frame (ORF) 9 (ORF9p) is an essential tegument protein, and, even though its mRNA is the most expressed during the productive infection, little is known about its functions. Using a GalK positive/negative selection technique, we modified a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) containing the complete VZV genome to create viruses expressing mutant versions of ORF9p. We showed that ORF9p is hyperphosphorylated during the infection, especially through its interaction with the viral Ser/Thr kinase ORF47p; we identified a consensus site within ORF9p recognized by ORF47p and demonstrated its importance for ORF9p phosphorylation. Strikingly, an ultrastructural analysis revealed that the mutation of this consensus site (glutamate 85 to arginine) strongly affects viral assembly and release, reproducing the ORF47 kinase-dead VZV phenotype. It also slightly diminishes the infectivity toward immature dendritic cells. Taken together, our results identify ORF9p as a new viral substrate of ORF47p and suggest a determinant role of this phosphorylation for viral infectivity, especially during the process of viral particle formation and egress.
A cross-sectional study to identify organisational processes associated with nurse-reported quality and patient safety
Authors: Tvedt Christine , Sjetne Ingeborg Strømseng , Helgeland Jon , Bukholm Geir 
Published: December 2012

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to identify organisational processes and structures that are associated with nurse-reported patient safety and quality of nursing.DesignThis is an observational cross-sectional study using survey methods.SettingRespondents from 31 Norwegian hospitals with more than 85 beds were included in the survey.ParticipantsAll registered nurses working in direct patient care in a position of 20% or more were invited to answer the survey. In this study, 3618 nurses from surgical and medical wards responded (response rate 58.9). Nurses' practice environment was defined as organisational processes and measured by theNursing Work Index Revisedand items fromHospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture.Outcome measuresNurses' assessments of patient safety, quality of nursing, confidence in how their patients manage after discharge and frequency of adverse events were used as outcome measures.ResultsQuality system,nurse–physician relation,patient safety managementandstaff adequacywere process measures associated with nurse-reported work-related and patient-related outcomes, but we found no associations withnurse participation,education and careerandward leadership. Most organisational structures were non-significant in the multilevel model except for nurses’ affiliations tomedical departmentandhospital type.ConclusionsOrganisational structures may have minor impact on how nurses perceive work-related and patient-related outcomes, but the findings in this study indicate that there is a considerable potential to address organisational design in improvement of patient safety and quality of care.
BRMS1 Suppresses Lung Cancer Metastases through an E3 Ligase Function on Histone Acetyltransferase p300
Authors: Liu Yuan , Mayo Marty W. , Nagji Alykhan S. , Hall Emily H. , Shock Lisa S. , Xiao Aizhen , Stelow Edward B. , Jones David R. 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
The mechanisms through which the metastasis suppressor gene BRMS1 functions are poorly understood. Herein, we report the identification of a previously undescribed E3 ligase function of BRMS1 on the histone acetyltransferase p300. BRMS1 induces polyubiquitination of p300, resulting in its proteasome-mediated degradation. We identify BRMS1 as the first eukaryote structural mimic of the bacterial IpaH E3 ligase family and establish that the evolutionarily conserved CXD motif located in BRMS1 is responsible for its E3 ligase function. Mutation of this E3 ligase motif not only abolishes BRMS1-induced p300 polyubiquitination and degradation, but importantly, dramatically reduces the metastasis suppressor function of BRMS1 in both in vitro and in vivo models of lung cancer metastasis. Cancer Res; 73(4); 1308–17. ©2013 AACR.
Auto-Entrainment Risk Assessment in Heart Failure
Authors: Roach Daniel E. , Morck Margaret L. , Sheldon Robert S. , Duff Henry J. 
Published: December 2012

Background—
Risk assessment studies use a suite of nominally independent noninvasive heart rate metrics, often brought together in a statistical model to compute a risk score. The ongoing need to noninvasively identify the higher risk patients requiring more invasive investigations/interventions drives the search for better noninvasive predictive metrics, with increased sensitivity. Many varieties of autoregulatory malfunction occur within the cardiovascular system; thus, it seems a daunting challenge to build predictive models that account for all potential modes of failure. Auto-entrainment (AE) methodology was developed to help address this challenge.

Methods and Results—
AE methodology tests intrinsic capacity to maintain a stable and coherent oscillatory dynamic of autoregulatory control via respiratory entrainment of the blood pressure and heart period. Using cardiovascular death (n=18) at follow-up (1.5 years) as the end point, analysis of AE measurements from 148 patients with heart failure revealed 2 parameters significantly predictive of death. Using logistic regression, the magnitude of systolic pulsus alternans measured during AE had predictive sensitivity of 90% (confidence interval, 62%–100% and specificity of 62% (confidence interval, 49%–74%). The capacity to maintain a stable oscillatory dynamic was measured by the fraction of the total RR-interval spectral power contained within the AE-band. This capacity had predictive sensitivity of 73% (confidence interval, 47%–99%) and specificity of 55% (confidence interval, 43%–66%).

Conclusions—
AE methodology provides a noninvasive platform to assess the integrity of cardiovascular autoregulatory control systems for risk assessment in heart failure patients.
Follow-up of Patients With New Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices
Authors: Al-Khatib Sana M. , Mi Xiaojuan , Wilkoff Bruce L. , Qualls Laura G. , Frazier-Mills Camille , Setoguchi Soko , Hess Paul L. , Curtis Lesley H. 
Published: December 2012

Background—
A 2008 expert consensus statement outlined the minimum frequency of follow-up of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs).

Methods and Results—

We studied 38 055 Medicare beneficiaries who received a new CIED between January 1, 2005, and June 30, 2009. The main outcome measure was variation of follow-up by patient factors and year of device implantation. We determined the number of patients who were eligible for and attended an in-person CIED follow-up visit within 2 to 12 weeks, 0 to 16 weeks, and 1 year after implantation. Among eligible patients, 42.4% had an initial in-person visit within 2 to 12 weeks. This visit was significantly more common among white patients than black patients and patients of other races (43.0% versus 36.8% versus 40.5%;
P
<0.001). Follow-up within 2 to 12 weeks improved from 40.3% in 2005 to 55.1% in 2009 (
P
<0.001 for trend). The rate of follow-up within 0 to 16 weeks was 65.1% and improved considerably from 2005 to 2009 (62.3%–79.6%;
P
<0.001 for trend). Within 1 year, 78.0% of the overall population had at least 1 in-person CIED follow-up visit.

Conclusions—
Although most Medicare beneficiaries who received a new CIED between 2005 and 2009 did not have an initial in-person CIED follow-up visit within 2 to 12 weeks after device implantation, the rate of initial follow-up improved appreciably over time. This CIED follow-up visit was significantly more common in white patients than in patients of other races.
Bipolar Electrogram Shannon Entropy at Sites of Rotational Activation
Authors: Ganesan Anand N. , Kuklik Pawel , Lau Dennis H. , Brooks Anthony G. , Baumert Mathias , Lim Wei Wen , Thanigaimani Shivshankar , Nayyar Sachin , Mahajan Rajiv , Kalman Jonathan M. , Roberts-Thomson Kurt C. , Sanders Prashanthan 
Published: December 2012

Background—
The pivot is critical to rotors postulated to maintain atrial fibrillation (AF). We reasoned that wavefronts circling the pivot should broaden the amplitude distribution of bipolar electrograms because of directional information encoded in these signals. We aimed to determine whether Shannon entropy (ShEn), a measure of signal amplitude distribution, could differentiate the pivot from surrounding peripheral regions and thereby assist clinical rotor mapping.

Methods and Results—
Bipolar electrogram recordings were studied in 4 systems: (1) computer simulations of rotors in a 2-dimensional atrial sheet; (2) isolated rat atria recorded with a multi-electrode array (n=12); (3) epicardial plaque recordings of induced AF in hypertensive sheep (n=11); and (4) persistent AF patients (n=10). In the model systems, rotation episodes were identified, and ShEn calculated as an index of amplitude distribution. In humans, ShEn distribution was analyzed at AF termination sites and with respect to complex fractionated electrogram mean. We analyzed rotation episodes in simulations (4 cycles) and animals (rats: 14 rotors, duration 80±81 cycles; sheep: 13 rotors, 4.2±1.5 cycles). The maximum ShEn bipole was consistently colocated with the pivot zone. ShEn was negatively associated with distance from the pivot zone in simulated spiral waves, rats, and sheep. ShEn was modestly inversely associated with complex fractionated electrogram; however, there was no relationship at the sites of highest ShEn.

Conclusions—
ShEn is a mechanistically based tool that may assist AF rotor mapping.
Joint Associations of 61 Genetic Variants in the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Genes with Subclinical Atherosclerosis in American Indians
Authors: Yang Jingyun , Zhu Yun , Lee Elisa T. , Zhang Ying , Cole Shelley A. , Haack Karin , Best Lyle G. , Devereux Richard B. , Roman Mary J. , Howard Barbara V. , Zhao Jinying 
Published: December 2012

Background—
Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in all American populations, including American Indians. Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Although a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) may explain only a small portion of variability in disease, the joint effect of multiple variants in a pathway on disease susceptibility could be large.

Methods and Results—
Using a gene-family analysis, we investigated the joint associations of 61 tag SNPs in 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor genes with subclinical atherosclerosis, as measured by carotid intima-media thickness and plaque score, in 3665 American Indians from 94 families recruited by the Strong Heart Family Study (SHFS). Although multiple SNPs showed marginal association with intima-media thickness and plaque score individually, only a few survived adjustments for multiple testing. However, simultaneously modeling of the joint effect of all 61 SNPs in 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor genes revealed significant association of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene family with both intima-media thickness and plaque score independent of known coronary risk factors.

Conclusions—
Genetic variants in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene family jointly contribute to subclinical atherosclerosis in American Indians who participated in the SHFS. These variants may influence the susceptibility of atherosclerosis through pathways other than cigarette smoking per se.