bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Counselling on and women's awareness of pregnancy danger signs in selected rural health facilities in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania
Authors: Duysburgh Els , Ye Maurice , Williams Afua , Massawe Siriel , Sié Ali , Williams John , Mpembeni Rose , Loukanova Svetla , Temmerman Marleen 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectiveThe aims of this study were to (i) assess healthcare workers' counselling practices concerning danger signs during antenatal consultations in rural primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania; to (ii) assess pregnant women's awareness of these danger signs; and (iii) to identify factors affecting counselling practices and women's awareness.MethodsCross‐sectional study in rural PHC facilities in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania. In each country, 12 facilities were randomly selected. WHO guidelines were used as standard for good counselling. We assessed providers' counselling practice on seven danger signs through direct observation study (35 observations/facility). Exit interviews (63 interviews/facility) were used to assess women's awareness of the same seven danger signs. We used negative binomial regression to assess associations with health services' and socio‐demographic characteristics and to estimate per study site the average number of danger signs on which counselling was provided and the average number of danger signs mentioned by women.ResultsAbout one in three women was not informed of any danger sign. For most danger signs, fewer than half of the women were counselled. Vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain were the signs most counselled on (between 52% and 66%). At study facilities in Burkina Faso, 58% of the pregnant women were not able to mention a danger sign, in Ghana this was 22% and in Tanzania 30%. Fever, vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain were the danger signs most frequently mentioned. The type of health worker (depending on the training they received) was significantly associated with counselling practices. Depending on the study site, characteristics significantly associated with awareness of signs were women's age, gestational age, gravidity and educational level.ConclusionCounselling practice is poor and not very efficient. A new approach of informing pregnant women on danger signs is needed. However, as effects of antenatal care education remain largely unknown, it is very well possible that improved counselling will not affect maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity.
Plant hemoglobins may be maintained in functional form by reduced flavins in the nuclei, and confer differential tolerance to nitro‐oxidative stress
Authors: Sainz Martha , Pérez‐Rontomé Carmen , Ramos Javier , Mulet Jose Miguel , James Euan K. , Bhattacharjee Ujjal , Petrich Jacob W. , Becana Manuel 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThe heme of bacteria, plant and animal hemoglobins (Hbs) must be in the ferrous state to bind O2 and other physiological ligands. Here we have characterized the full set of non‐symbiotic (class 1 and 2) and ‘truncated’ (class 3) Hbs of Lotus japonicus. Class 1 Hbs are hexacoordinate, but class 2 and 3 Hbs are pentacoordinate. Three of the globins, Glb1‐1, Glb2 and Glb3‐1, are nodule‐enhanced proteins. The O2 affinity of Glb1‐1 (50 pm) was the highest known for any Hb, and the protein may function as an O2 scavenger. The five globins were reduced by free flavins, which transfer electrons from NAD(P)H to the heme iron under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Class 1 Hbs were reduced at very fast rates by FAD, class 2 Hbs at slower rates by both FMN and FAD, and class 3 Hbs at intermediate rates by FMN. The members of the three globin classes were immunolocalized predominantly in the nuclei. Flavins were quantified in legume nodules and nuclei, and their concentrations were sufficient to maintain Hbs in their functional state. All Hbs, except Glb1‐1, were expressed in a flavohemoglobin‐deficient yeast mutant and found to confer tolerance to oxidative stress induced by methyl viologen, copper or low temperature, indicating an anti‐oxidative role for the hemes. However, only Glb1‐2 and Glb2 afforded protection against nitrosative stress induced by S‐nitrosoglutathione. Because this compound is specifically involved in transnitrosylation reactions with thiol groups, our results suggest a contribution of the single cysteine residues of both proteins in the stress response.
Phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase‐mediated triacylglycerol biosynthesis is crucial for protection against fatty acid‐induced cell death in growing tissues of Arabidopsis
Authors: Fan Jilian , Yan Chengshi , Xu Changcheng 
Published: October 2013

SummaryPhospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) and diacylglycerol:acyl CoA acyltransferase play overlapping roles in triacylglycerol (TAG) assembly in Arabidopsis, and are essential for seed and pollen development, but the functional importance of PDAT in vegetative tissues remains largely unknown. Taking advantage of the Arabidopsis tgd1–1 mutant that accumulates oil in vegetative tissues, we demonstrate here that PDAT1 is crucial for TAG biosynthesis in growing tissues. We show that disruption of PDAT1 in the tgd1–1 mutant background causes serious growth retardation, gametophytic defects and premature cell death in developing leaves. Lipid analysis data indicated that knockout of PDAT1 results in increases in the levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) and diacylglycerol. In vivo 14C‐acetate labeling experiments showed that, compared with wild‐type, tgd1–1 exhibits a 3.8‐fold higher rate of fatty acid synthesis (FAS), which is unaffected by disruption or over‐expression of PDAT1, indicating a lack of feedback regulation of FAS in tgd1–1. We also show that detached leaves of both pdat1–2 and tgd1–1 pdat1–2 display increased sensitivity to FFA but not to diacylglycerol. Taken together, our results reveal a critical role for PDAT1 in mediating TAG synthesis and thereby protecting against FFA‐induced cell death in fast‐growing tissues of plants.
SUPPRESSOR OF LLP1 1‐mediated C–terminal processing is critical for CLE19 peptide activity
Authors: Tamaki Takayuki , Betsuyaku Shigeyuki , Fujiwara Masayuki , Fukao Yoichiro , Fukuda Hiroo , Sawa Shinichiro 
Published: October 2013

SummaryCell‐to‐cell communication is essential for the coordinated development of multicellular organisms. Members of the CLAVATA3/EMBRYO‐SURROUNDING REGION‐RELATED (CLE) family, a group of small secretory peptides, are involved in these processes in plants. Although post‐translational modifications are considered to be indispensable for their activity, the detailed mechanisms governing these modifications are not well understood. Here, we report that SUPPRESSOR OF LLP1 1 (SOL1), a putative Zn2+ carboxypeptidase previously isolated as a suppressor of the CLE19 over‐expression phenotype, functions in C–terminal processing of the CLE19 proprotein to produce the functional CLE19 peptide. Newly isolated sol1 mutants are resistant to CLE19 over‐expression, consistent with the previous report (Casamitjana‐Martinez, E., Hofhuis, H.F., Xu, J., Liu, C.M., Heidstra, R. and Scheres, B. (2003) Curr. Biol. 13, 1435–1441). As expected, our experiment using synthetic CLE19 peptide revealed that the sol1 mutation does not compromise CLE signal transduction pathways per se. SOL1 possesses enzymatic activity to remove the C–terminal arginine residue of CLE19 proprotein in vitro, and SOL1‐dependent cleavage of the C–terminal arginine residue is necessary for CLE19 activity in vivo. Additionally, the endosomal localization of SOL1 suggests that this processing occurs in endosomes in the secretory pathway. Thus, our data indicate the importance of C–terminal processing of CLE proproteins to ensure CLE activities.
Legume adaptation to sulfur deficiency revealed by comparing nutrient allocation and seed traits in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Zuber Hélène , Poignavent Germain , Le Signor Christine , Aimé Delphine , Vieren Eric , Tadla Charlène , Lugan Raphaël , Belghazi Maya , Labas Valérie , Santoni Anne‐Lise , Wipf Daniel , Buitink Julia , Avice Jean‐Christophe , Salon Christophe , Gallardo Karine 
Published: October 2013

SummaryReductions in sulfur dioxide emissions and the use of sulfur‐free mineral fertilizers are decreasing soil sulfur levels and threaten the adequate fertilization of most crops. To provide knowledge regarding legume adaptation to sulfur restriction, we subjected Medicago truncatula, a model legume species, to sulfur deficiency at various developmental stages, and compared the yield, nutrient allocation and seed traits. This comparative analysis revealed that sulfur deficiency at the mid‐vegetative stage decreased yield and altered the allocation of nitrogen and carbon to seeds, leading to reduced levels of major oligosaccharides in mature seeds, whose germination was dramatically affected. In contrast, during the reproductive period, sulfur deficiency had little influence on yield and nutrient allocation, but the seeds germinated slowly and were characterized by low levels of a biotinylated protein, a putative indicator of germination vigor that has not been previously related to sulfur nutrition. Significantly, plants deprived of sulfur at an intermediary stage (flowering) adapted well by remobilizing nutrients from source organs to seeds, ensuring adequate quantities of carbon and nitrogen in seeds. This efficient remobilization of photosynthates may be explained by vacuolar sulfate efflux to maintain leaf metabolism throughout reproductive growth, as suggested by transcript and metabolite profiling. The seeds from these plants, deprived of sulfur at the floral transition, contained normal levels of major oligosaccharides but their germination was delayed, consistent with low levels of sucrose and the glycolytic enzymes required to restart seed metabolism during imbibition. Overall, our findings provide an integrative view of the legume response to sulfur deficiency.
Removal of exogenous prion infectivity in leukoreduced red blood cells unit by a specific filter designed for human transfusion
Authors: Lescoutra‐Etchegaray Nathalie , Sumian Chryslain , Culeux Audrey , Durand Valérie , Gurgel Patrick V. , Deslys Jean‐Philippe , Comoy Emmanuel E. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundFive cases of variant Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (vCJD) infections were attributed to infusion of contaminated blood components, turning to real the interhuman transmissibility of this prion disease from asymptomatic carriers. Preventive policies rely on exclusion from blood donation and benefit of leukoreduction initially implemented against leukotropic viruses. In the absence of available antemortem diagnostic tests, the updated prevalence of silent vCJD infections (1/2000 in the United Kingdom) urges the necessity to enforce blood safety with more efficient active measures able to remove the remaining infectivity.Study Design and MethodsSeveral affinity resins were demonstrated to reduce high levels of brain‐spiked infectivity from human leukoreduced red blood cells (L‐RBCs). One was integrated in a device adapted to field constraints (volumes, duration) of human transfusion. We assessed here the ability of the resulting removal filter, termed P‐Capt, to remove infectivity from human L‐RBC units spiked with scrapie‐infected hamster brain (≥10,000 infectious units/mL), through inoculation of hamsters with pre‐ and post–blood filtration samples.ResultsIncubation periods of recipient animals suggest around a 3‐log removal of brain‐derived prion infectivity by filtration through the P‐Capt.ConclusionOn brain‐derived spiked infectivity, the P‐Capt filter provided a performance similar to the resin packed in columns used for initial proof‐of‐concept studies, suggesting an appropriate scale‐up to efficiently remove infectivity from an individual human blood bag. According to the ability of resin to completely remove apparent endogenous infectivity from hamster leukoreduced blood, the implementation of such a filter, now commercially available, might seriously improve blood safety toward prions.
Analysis of the recovery of cryopreserved and thawed CD34+ and CD3+ cells collected for hematopoietic transplantation
Authors: Fisher Virginia , Khuu Hanh , David‐OCampo Virginia , Byrne Karen , Pavletic Steven , Bishop Michael , Fowler Daniel H. , Barrett A. John , Stroncek David F. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundCryopreservation is often used to store cellular therapies, but little is known about how well CD3+ or CD34+ cells tolerate this process.Study Design and MethodsViable CD34+ cell recoveries were analyzed from related and unrelated donor granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF)–mobilized peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) products and viable CD3+ cell recoveries from G‐CSF–mobilized and nonmobilized apheresis products from related and unrelated donors. All products were cryopreserved with 5% dimethyl sulfoxide and 6% pentastarch using a controlled‐rate freezer and were stored in liquid nitrogen. Related donor products were cryopreserved immediately after collection and unrelated donor products greater than 12 hours postcollection.ResultsThe postthaw recovery of CD34+ cells from related donor PBSCs was high (n = 86; 97.5 ± 23.1%) and there was no difference in postthaw CD34+ cell recovery from unrelated donor PBSCs (n = 14; 98.8 ± 37.2%; p = 0.863). In related donor lymphocyte products the postthaw CD3+ cell recovery (n = 48; 90.7 ± 21.4%) was greater than that of unrelated donor products (n = 14; 66.6 ± 35.8%; p = 0.00251). All unrelated donor lymphocyte products were from G‐CSF–mobilized products, while most related donor lymphocyte products were from nonmobilized products. A comparison of the CD3+ cell recovery from related donor G‐CSF–mobilized products (n = 19; 85.0 ± 29.2%) with that of unrelated donor products found no significant difference (p = 0.137).ConclusionsThe postthaw recovery of CD34+ cells was high in both related and unrelated donor products, but the recovery of CD3+ cells in unrelated donor G‐CSF–mobilized products was lower. G‐CSF–mobilized unrelated donor products may contain fewer CD3+ cells than non–G‐CSF–exposed products upon thaw and, when indicated, cell doses should be monitored.
Early fresh‐frozen plasma transfusion decreases the risk of retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Dani Carlo , Poggi Chiara , Bresci Cecilia , Corsini Iuri , Frosini Saverio , Pratesi Simone 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundInsulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) and IGF‐binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) play a main role in the pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) from adult donors may be an actual source of IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 because it contains higher concentrations. The objective was to evaluate whether FFP transfusions can decrease the occurrence of ROP in a cohort of preterm infants.Study Design and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data from 218 infants with gestational age of less than 29 weeks who either received FFP or did not and correlated this procedure to the development of any grade of ROP.ResultsLogistic regression analysis demonstrated that two or more transfusions of FFP was effective in decreasing the risk of development of any grade of ROP (relative risk, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.23‐0.93). Other factors that affected the risk of ROP were gestational age, birthweight, antenatal steroid treatment, FiO2 of at least 0.40, mechanical ventilation, and sepsis.ConclusionsWe found that two or more transfusions of FFP in the first week of life decrease the risk of developing any grade of ROP in preterm infants with gestational age of less than 29 weeks.
Engraftment and outcome after autologous stem cell transplantation in plerixafor‐mobilized non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma patients
Authors: Varmavuo Ville , Rimpiläinen Johanna , Kuitunen Hanne , Nihtinen Anne , Vasala Kaija , Mikkola Maija , Kutila Anu , Lehtonen Päivi , Kuittinen Taru , Mäntymaa Pentti , Nousiainen Tapio , Kuittinen Outi , Jantunen Esa 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundPlerixafor is used in combination with granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor to enhance the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells. Limited data are available in regard to effects of plerixafor on posttransplant outcomes in chemomobilized patients who appear to mobilize poorly.Study Design and MethodsEighty‐nine chemomobilized patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were included in this retrospective study. Thirty‐three patients had received plerixafor preemptively (plerixafor group) and 56 patients served as controls. Posttransplantation outcomes including infections, hematologic recovery, and relapse were recorded.ResultsThe median fold increase of CD34+ cells after the first plerixafor dose was 4.1 in patients mobilized with chemotherapy plus filgrastim and 7.2 in those mobilized with chemotherapy plus pegfilgrastim (p = 0.027). The median number of collected CD34+ cells was 3.5 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg in the plerixafor group and 4.2 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg in the control group (p = 0.076). Early engraftment was comparable between the groups (10 days for neutrophils >0.5 × 109/L and 14 days for platelets >20 × 109/L, respectively). Also late engraftment within 12 months was comparable except higher hemoglobin level at 3 months in the control group (121 g/L vs. 112 g/L, p = 0.009). Progression‐free survival at 1 year after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) was 79% in the plerixafor group and 86% in the control group (p = 0.399).ConclusionsLong‐term engraftment and outcome after ASCT seem to be comparable in NHL patients receiving plerixafor compared to chemomobilized patients. These observations support the use of plerixafor in patients who mobilize poorly.
Peripheral blood progenitor cell collection by two programs for autologous and allogeneic transplantation
Authors: Ikeda Kazuhiko , Ohto Hitoshi , Kanno Takahiro , Gonda Kenji , Suzuki Yuhko , Ono Takako , Saito Shunnichi , Takahashi Hiroshi , Kimura Satoshi , Harada‐Shirado Kayo , Yamauchi Hiroyuki , Hoshino Yasuto , Mashimo Yumiko , Nollet Kenneth E. , Kikuta Atsushi , Ogawa Kazuei , Takeishi Yasuchika 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundIn the Spectra apheresis instrument (Terumo BCT), both manual (Spectra‐MNC) and automated (Spectra‐Auto) programs have been widely used to collect peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs). However, direct comparison of these programs remains extremely limited.Study Design and MethodsWe investigated 188 collections and products from autologous (patient) and allogeneic (donor) subjects and analyzed a subset of 89 allogeneic collections and products. Twenty‐nine subjects who received apheresis for 2 consecutive days using both programs were also evaluated with a paired crossover comparison.ResultsThe two programs processed similar volumes, but run time was longer with Spectra‐Auto. Yield and efficiency of CD34+ cell collection were similar between these programs in the whole cohort, although white blood cell (WBC) and mononuclear cell (MNC) yields were higher with Spectra‐MNC. In the allogeneic cohort, yield and efficiency of WBC collection were greater in Spectra‐MNC. However, collected WBCs, MNCs, and CD34+ cells were similar between these programs in paired comparison. Regardless of program, preapheresis peripheral WBC, MNC, and CD34+ cell counts correlated with the number of cells collected. In contrast, preapheresis WBC counts in the whole cohort were negatively correlated with collection efficiencies of CD34+ cells in Spectra‐MNC but not Spectra‐Auto. The products collected using Spectra‐MNC contained more contaminating platelets (PLTs) than Spectra‐Auto, with a corresponding reduction in postdonation circulating PLTs.ConclusionSpectra‐MNC and Spectra‐Auto showed distinct features that should be considered on a case‐by‐case basis. Similar investigations should be undertaken as new collection platforms are introduced.
Does bleeding affect patient‐reported outcome measures in patients with myelodysplasia or hematologic malignancies: a systematic review
Authors: Estcourt Lise J. , Pinchon Deborah , Symington Emily , Kelly Anne M. , Doree Carolyn , Brunskill Susan , Glidewell Liz , Stanworth Simon 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundRelatively minor bleeding (e.g., bruising and/or petechiae) may cause patient distress. This systematic review's objective was to assess whether bleeding affects health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) or illness perceptions or representations (IPs) in patients with hematologic malignancies or myelodysplasia (MDS).Study Design and MethodsWe searched, in full, 12 electronic databases (including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE) up to January 7, 2013, for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective cohort studies, and cross‐sectional studies.ResultsA total of 6247 studies were initially identified; 5945 studies were excluded on the basis of the abstract. A total of 302 full‐text articles were evaluated independently by two reviewers; of these, six studies within seven citations were eligible for inclusion. Two studies are still in progress, four studies within five citations were included in this review (one RCT, one prospective observational study, one interview study, and one Web‐based survey). None of the included studies were designed to assess the impact bleeding had on HRQoL or IPs. The Web‐based survey and observational study used two new patient‐reported outcome scales which specifically assessed patient distress or concern due to bleeding. The majority of patients within these two studies either did not experience bleeding or did not have severe thrombocytopenia.ConclusionThere is insufficient evidence to demonstrate whether bleeding is a significant clinical problem that affects patients' HRQoL or IPs in either patients with MDS or patients with hematologic malignancies. Rigorously designed studies to assess the scale of this problem in both of these groups of patients are required.
Peripheral blood stem cell collection in low‐weight children: retrospective comparison of two apheresis devices
Authors: Cherqaoui Bilade , Rouel Nadège , Auvrignon Anne , Defachelles Anne‐Sophie , Deméocq François , Kanold Justyna , Merlin Etienne 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundApheresis is a major challenge in peripheral stem cell collection from low‐weight children with cancer. Comparisons between the new apheresis device Optia (TerumoBCT) and the earlier COBE Spectra (CaridianBCT) have been performed in adults but not in low‐weight children. The objective was to compare the performance of these two devices in small children.Study Design and MethodsIn this retrospective study, all patients were reviewed weighing less than 15 kg undergoing stem cell collection using the Optia device between April 2011 and April 2012. They were paired on weight in a 3:1 ratio with patients whose cells had been collected with the COBE Spectra since 2006.ResultsSix patients were treated with the Optia and were matched with 18 patients treated with the Spectra. No side effects occurred. Collection efficiency (CE) was similar between the two groups (50% vs. 47%), but CD34 cell blood clearance was lower with the Optia (0.4 mL/min/kg vs. 0.6 mL/min/kg, p < 0.01). Platelet (PLT) loss and hemoglobin (Hb) loss were significantly reduced with the Optia (respectively, 32% vs. 54%, p < 0.01; and 1.4 g/dL vs. 2.9 g/dL, p < 0.01). Apheresis duration was increased with the Optia (159 min vs. 134 min, p < 0.05). The cell product harvested with the Optia had a lower volume and lower hematocrit, but similar white blood cell and PLT content.ConclusionCompared with the Spectra, the Optia allows similar CE with a reduced PLT and Hb loss but with a longer duration.