bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
African American adult apheresis donors respond to granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor with neutrophil and progenitor cell yields comparable to those of Caucasian and Hispanic donors
Authors: Carilli Allison R. , Sugrue Michele W. , Rosenau Emma H. , Chang Myron , Fisk Diann , Medei‐Hill Michelle , Williams Katherine , Wiggins Laura , Wingard John R. 
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF)‐mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) are the most common source of cells used for hematopoietic transplantation. Benign ethnic neutropenia has been found in persons of African descent, affecting circulating white blood cells (WBCs), but not WBC production within marrow. Persons of African descent have reduced neutrophil mobilization after steroid administration, and newborns have fewer nucleated and progenitor cells in their cord blood.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty‐two African American (AA) and 12 Hispanic PBPC donors were age, sex, and weight matched with 34 Caucasian donors. Groups were compared based on WBC and neutrophil counts after mobilization and numbers of CD34+ cells collected on Day 5 of G‐CSF mobilization.RESULTS: AA donors had significantly lower baseline WBC (6.1 ± 1.1 vs. 7.1 ± 1.7, p = 0.04) and neutrophil (3.4 ± 1.1 vs. 4.5 ± 1.3, p = 0.01) counts compared to matched Caucasian donors. G‐CSF–stimulated AAs had a significantly greater increase in WBC and neutrophil counts compared to matched Caucasians (889 ± 293% vs. 665 ± 230% neutrophils, p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in product cell counts when comparing total nucleated, CD3+, CD34+, and mononuclear cells or colony‐forming units (CFUs) between Caucasians and Hispanics or AAs and trends to greater numbers of neutrophils in products from AA donors.CONCLUSION: When stimulated by G‐CSF, AAs are able to increase WBC and neutrophil counts to a higher degree than Caucasians, achieving similar numbers of neutrophil and progenitor cells in apheresis products despite starting from lower baseline blood counts.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in pediatric liver or combined liver and small bowel transplant patients: a case series and review of the literature
Authors: Li Marissa , Goldfinger Dennis , Yuan Shan 
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) occurring after solid organ transplantation is an infrequently reported entity. We describe in this report six cases of AIHA in pediatric liver or combined liver and small bowel transplant patients.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified and reviewed the records of pediatric liver or combined liver and small bowel transplant patients with both serologic and clinical evidence of AIHA. We also performed an English language literature review for prior publications of AIHA occurring after solid organ transplantation.RESULTS: We identified six patients presenting with severe hemolysis 9 months to 14 years after transplantation. All six developed warm AIHA, and two had concomitant cold agglutinins. All except one patient received various therapeutic combinations including steroids, intravenous immune globulin, rituximab, plasmapheresis, splenectomy, and vincristine. Five patients achieved remission 2 weeks to 3 months after presentation. Although tacrolimus has been speculated to play a causative role in the development of AIHA after organ transplantation, our case series demonstrated slightly better outcomes despite continuing tacrolimus compared to published cases where most patients either received significantly reduced doses of tacrolimus or were switched to a different immunosuppressant (83% vs. 76% cumulative literature remission rate).CONCLUSION: AIHA may occur in solid organ transplant patients at a much higher frequency than previously believed. Hemolysis is often severe and resistant to steroid treatment alone. Thus early diagnosis and institution of aggressive multimodality treatment, including the use of rituximab, may be needed to achieve remission.
Red blood cell preservation by droplet freezing with polyvinylpyrrolidone or sucrose‐dextrose and by bulk freezing with glycerol
Authors: Schmid Pirmin , Huvard Michael J. , Lee‐Stroka A. Hallie , Lee Jae Y. , Byrne Karen M. , Flegel Willy A. 
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND: Red blood cell (RBC) preservation is essential to transfusion medicine. Many blood group reference laboratories need a method to preserve rare blood samples for serologic testing at a later date. This study offers a comparison of three common cryoprotective agents and protocols used today: bulk preservation with glycerol and droplet freezing with sucrose‐dextrose (S+D) or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Human blood from 14 volunteers was collected and frozen at set intervals over 2 weeks with PVP, S+D, or glycerol. The frozen RBCs were later thawed and the percentage of surviving RBCs was determined. Detailed protocols and an instructional video are supplied.RESULTS: Over a 2‐week period, RBCs preserved with glycerol and thawed with a widely used protocol showed a recovery of 41 ± 16% (mean ± standard deviation) while those thawed with a modified glycerol protocol showed a recovery of 76 ± 8%. RBCs preserved by droplet freezing with S+D showed a recovery of 56 ± 11% while those preserved by droplet freezing with PVP showed a recovery of 85 ± 6%. Recovery values were similar with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or heparin anticoagulants, differing freezing rates, and varying droplet volumes.CONCLUSION: Droplet freezing with PVP offered the greatest recovery. While bulk freezing with glycerol can also be effective, droplet freezing may be a more convenient method overall. It requires less effort to thaw, needs much less storage room, and allows blood group laboratories to be frugal with thawing rare samples.
Flow cytometric analyses of CD34+ cells with inclusion of internal positive controls
Authors: Gutensohn Kai , Jessen Maria , Ketels Andrea , Gramatzki Martin , Humpe Andreas 
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND: Flow cytometric measurement of CD34+ events is used to ensure the quality of human progenitor cell grafts. This study was conducted to evaluate whether the spiking of routine samples from peripheral blood and apheresis products with CD34+ positive controls is feasible.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 42 samples from 32 patients and one healthy donor were stained in duplicate for CD34+ cells. Before flow cytometric analysis, one tube was spiked with stabilized CD34+ cells at a defined concentration.RESULTS: Median numbers of viable CD34+ cells/µL did not differ between unspiked and spiked tubes (median 37, range 0‐714; and median 34, range 0‐719, respectively). The 95% confidence interval (CI) of the mean showed a broad overlap between these samples (41.9‐119.1 and 41.4‐119.3, respectively). In addition, the 95% CI of the mean for CD45+ cells/µL overlapped broadly and median numbers did not differ. Median viability of all CD45+ cells was significantly lower in the spiked tubes (96.75, range 64‐98.8 vs. 99.25, range 97.5‐99.8) with no overlap of the 95% CI of the mean viability.CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that spiking of routine samples with internal positive controls does not affect CD34+ cell analyses, but does support the reliability of important clinical data. The inclusion of positive controls is expedient for laboratories that perform analyses with low CD34+ numbers and laboratories that use different flow cytometric analyzers and may also become a requirement to meet statutory regulations.
Partial D phenotypes and genotypes in the Chinese population
Authors: Ye Luyi , Wang Pan , Gao Huanhuan , Zhang Jiamin , Wang Chen , Li Qin , Han Shasha , Guo Zhonghui , Yang Ying , Zhu Ziyan 
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND: The D variant phenotypes are often categorized into weak D types and partial D types. Although the molecular basis underlying the partial D phenotype has been investigated in several races, data from Chinese populations are rare.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We collected partial D samples from 1,274,540 blood donors, as well as from sporadic patients in the Chinese population, over a 4‐year period. Samples with partial D phenotype were determined by commercial monoclonal anti‐D panels and molecular methods. Blood samples with discrepant results of serologic and molecular methods were further investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with sequence‐specific primers and nucleotide sequencing of RHD exons. The detection of antibodies was performed.RESULTS: A total of 44 samples with partial D phenotypes were confirmed. Molecular typing revealed five different known aberrant alleles as well as four new RHD alleles. As described previously, DVI represented the most frequent partial D type in China with a total of 36 samples. However, discrepant results were observed in four DVI samples with serotyping and genotyping (i.e., DVI category identified by D‐screen test and grossly intact RHD gene identified by multiplex PCR). We also found four novel alleles, termed DFR‐4, DCS‐3, DCC, and DLX.CONCLUSION: To date, this study presents the most comprehensive report on partial D in China. The distribution of partial D types in China was found to be complicated and polymorphic, whereas RhD genotyping of DVI‐variant samples might give inaccurate results due to a relatively high incidence of RHD(1227G>A) in the Chinese population.
The Effects of Judicial Strength and Rule of Law on Portfolio Investment in the Developing World*
Authors: Staats Joseph L. , Biglaiser Glen 
Published: July 2011

Objective. Applying existing theories relating to investment risk, this article examines the effects of judicial strength and adherence to the rule of law on portfolio investment in the developing world. We aim to demonstrate that countries with higher levels of judicial strength and rule of law are more able to attract portfolio investment because they provide greater protection of property rights and a better risk environment for investors.Methods. Using time‐series data for 79 developing countries for the period 1996–2005, we employ panel‐corrected standard errors multivariate regressions to demonstrate that higher levels of judicial strength and rule of law are associated with higher levels of portfolio investment.Results. We find that a one standard deviation increase in overall judicial strength and rule of law results in more than a 50 percent increase in portfolio investment. In separate analyses, we show that a one standard deviation increase in specific measures of judicial independence, impartial courts, and protection of property rights leads to increases in portfolio investment ranging from 27 percent to 184 percent.Conclusion. Judicial strength and adherence to the rule of law are important determinants of portfolio investment in the developing world.
Partisan Cleavages in the Importance of Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities*
Authors: Coffé Hilde , Bolzendahl Catherine 
Published: July 2011

Objective. Research indicates partisan polarization on a number of social and moral attitudes. However, it is unclear whether a similar polarization can be found regarding citizenship norms, a question we investigate.Methods. Using 2004 GSS data, we examine regression results analyzing citizens' beliefs about a wide range of citizenship duties and rights based on their partisan identity.Results. Democrats and Republicans differ little in regard to many key rights and duties, such as the importance of voting and the right to equal treatment by the government. However, compared to Republicans, Democrats attach more importance to social duties and rights for political participation and for minority groups. Independents are most distinctive, placing much less importance on political duties and social rights of equality and an adequate standard of living, particularly in comparison to Democrats.Conclusion. The majority of Americans share a common set of citizenship norms. Yet, some differences occur along partisan lines, and Independents hold weaker citizenship norms compared to Republicans and Democrats.
Why Did Poverty Become Less Geographically Concentrated in the 1990s?*
Authors: Wagmiller, Jr. Robert L. 
Published: July 2011

Objective. After increasing sharply in the 1970s and 1980s, the number of high‐poverty neighborhoods in the United States unexpectedly and dramatically declined in the 1990s. This article examines the roles that residential and income mobility played in this decline.Methods. Using geocoded data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, this study analyzes changes during the 1990s and early 2000s in: (1) patterns of residential mobility between high‐poverty and lower‐poverty neighborhoods; and (2) patterns of income mobility for residents who remained in high‐poverty neighborhoods.Results. Both patterns of residential and income mobility changed in the 1990s and early 2000s. While patterns of residential migration to high‐poverty neighborhoods were largely unchanged over this period, patterns of residential migration from high‐poverty neighborhoods changed significantly, with poor individuals—especially poor blacks—becoming more likely to relocate from high‐poverty to lower‐poverty neighborhoods. Patterns of income mobility for residents who remained in high‐poverty neighborhoods also changed significantly, with nonpoor residents becoming less likely to become poor and poor residents becoming more likely to exit poverty.Conclusion. Poverty rates in high‐poverty neighborhoods fell primarily because of the net upward income mobility of residents who remained in these neighborhoods.
The Neighborhood Contexts in Which Low‐Income Families Navigate Welfare Reform: Evidence from the Three‐City Study*
Authors: Bennett Pamela R. , Cherlin Andrew J. 
Published: July 2011

Objectives.We investigate the neighborhood contexts in which low‐income families negotiate welfare reform.Methods.Using data from the Three‐City Study and U.S. Census, we follow 1,059 low‐income women from 1999 to 2005 tracking their neighborhood quality, employment, and welfare use. We evaluate whether improvements in residential contexts facilitate transitions to economic self‐sufficiency, but also test the reverse possibility.Results.Despite living in similar neighborhoods in 1999, women who left welfare experienced larger reductions in neighborhood disadvantage than women who remained on welfare. Likewise, women who left welfare with employment achieved larger increases in neighborhood quality than those who left welfare without work; the latter experiencing neighborhood change no different than those who stayed on welfare.Conclusions.Neighborhood conditions are, at minimum, associated with welfare outcomes. Findings suggest that neighborhood quality increases after women leave welfare, though we cannot reject the possibility that better neighborhoods lead to better welfare outcomes.
Labor Market Outcomes for Legal Mexican Immigrants Under the New Regime of Immigration Enforcement*
Authors: Gentsch Kerstin , Massey Douglas S. 
Published: July 2011

Objectives. This article documents the effects of increasingly restrictive immigration and border policies on Mexican migrant workers in the United States.Methods. Drawing on data from the Mexican Migration Project, we create a data file that links age, education, English‐language ability, and cumulative U.S. experience in three legal categories (documented, undocumented, guest worker) to the occupational status and wage attained by migrant household heads on their most recent U.S. trip.Results. We find that the wage and occupational returns to various forms of human capital generally declined after harsher policies were imposed and enforcement dramatically increased after 1996, especially for U.S. experience and English‐language ability.Conclusion. These results indicate that the labor‐market status of legal immigrants has deteriorated significantly in recent years as larger shares of the migrant workforce came to lack labor rights, either because they were undocumented or because they held temporary visas that did not allow mobility or bargaining over wages and working conditions.
Obstetric outcome for women who received individualized treatment for fear of childbirth during pregnancy
Authors: SYDSJÖ GUNILLA , SYDSJÖ ADAM , GUNNERVIK CHRISTINA , BLADH MARIE , JOSEFSSON ANN 
Published: July 2011

AbstractObjective. To compare obstetric outcomes for women with fear of childbirth who received counseling during pregnancy with women without fear of childbirth. Design. Descriptive, retrospective case‐control study. Setting. University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden. Sample. 353 women who were referred to a unit for psychosocial obstetrics and gynecology because of fear of childbirth constituted the index group and 579 women without fear of childbirth formed a reference group. Methods. Data were collected from standardized antenatal and delivery records. Main outcome measures. Delivery data. Results. Elective cesarean sections (CS) were more frequent in the index group (p<0.001). Induction of delivery was also more common among the women with fear of childbirth (16.5 compared with 9.6%, p<0.001). Women with fear of childbirth who were scheduled for vaginal delivery were more often delivered by emergency CS (p=0.007). Elective CS was more common among the parous women with fear of childbirth and instrumental delivery was more common among nulliparous women with fear of childbirth. There were no differences in complications during pregnancy, delivery or postpartum between the two groups. Conclusion. Fear of childbirth is a predisposing factor for emergency and elective CS even after psychological counseling. Maximal effort is necessary to avoid traumatizing deliveries and negative experiences, especially for nulliparous women.
MCP‐1 and CCR2 gene variants in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Bektas‐Kayhan K , Unur M , Boy‐Metin Z , Cakmakoglu B 
Published: July 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 18, 55–59Aim:  We aimed to investigate a possible association of the MCP‐1 and CCR2 polymorphisms with the risk of developing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).Methods:  MCP‐1 A2518G and CCR2 V64I gene polymorphisms were performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism, in 129 patients with OSCC and 140 healthy control subjects.Results:  Individuals who had G allele and GG genotype of MCP‐1, and 64I allele and wt/64I genotype of CCR2 had increased risk for OSCC (P < 0.05.) In contrast, individuals with CCR2 wt/wt genotype seem to be protected from OSCC (P < 0.01). Haplotype analysis revealed that MCP‐1G: CCR2 64I haplotype frequencies were significantly higher in patients than those of controls (P = 0.001).Conclusions:  We can suggest that the G allele of MCP‐1 and 64I allele of CCR2 may be risk factors for OSCC.
Systemic activity of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate: a double‐blind comparison of volume spacers
Authors: Wolthers Ole D , Sergio Francesco 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBackground:  To which extent volume spacers may influence systemic activity of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) has not been evaluated.Aim:  To assess whether the AeroChamber Plus™ spacer is equivalent to the Volumatic™ spacer for administration of inhaled hydroflouroalkane 134a propelled BDP in terms of lower leg growth rate (LLGR).Patients and methods:  Prepubertal children with mild asthma (n = 26, aged 6–14 years) were included in a 3‐time periods of 2 weeks duration randomized double‐blind cross‐over study with a single‐blind placebo run‐in and two washout periods. LLGR was measured with the knemometer. Interventions were inhaled BDP hydroflouroalkane 134a pressurized metered dose inhaler 100 μg and 200 μg b.i.d. with the AeroChamber Plus and 200 μg b.i.d. with the Volumatic spacer.Results:  Beclomethasone dipropionate 200 μg b.i.d. from the AeroChamber Plus was non‐inferior to BDP 200 b.i.d. from the Volumatic spacer as the lower margin of confidence interval of the difference between treatments (−0.18 to 0.13 mm/week) was greater than the prespecified lower limit for non‐inferiority (−0.20 mm/week). UFC/creatinine data showed no statistically significant variations.Conclusion:  The systemic activity of BDP, via the Volumatic™, and AeroChamber Plus™ spacers is similar. The AeroChamber Plus spacer may be used in children without risk of increasing systemic activity of BDP.
Effects of growth rate on carcass and meat quality traits and their association with metabolism‐related gene expression in finishing pigs
Authors: YANG Yuxin , GUO Jia , KIM JinSoo , WANG MyeongHyeon , CHAE ByungJo 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different growth rates on carcass characteristics and meat quality and their relationship with myogenesis and lipogenesis in finishing pigs. Pigs were slaughtered at the same age and were assigned to high (HGR) or low (LGR) growth rates with 120 kg or 110 kg final body weights at slaughter. The results indicated that pigs with HGR had heavier (P < 0.05) final body weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, backfat thickness, higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of fat in the muscle and higher (P < 0.05) total RNA concentration in muscle than pigs with LGR. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid synthase, malic enzyme, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ, and sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1 in fat were higher (P < 0.05) in pigs with HGR. Additionally, the mRNA expression of glycogen synthase in muscle was lower (P < 0.05) in pigs with HGR. These results indicate differences in postmortem myogenesis and lipogenesis traits of pigs with different growth rates; these differences in turn might have affected carcass characteristics and meat quality.
Cities, environmental stressors, ageing and chronic disease
Authors: Black Deborah , O'Loughlin Kate , Kendig Hal , Wilson Leigh 
Published: July 2011

Aim:  This study attempts to identify any association between length of exposure to urban environmental risk and non‐infectious chronic disease in a group of Australian residents who lived in the same location for at least 20 years.Methods:  Using Australian survey data, we selected 1256 participants who were 45 years and older and had lived in the same location for at least 20 years. We used logistic regression and survival analysis to identify factors associated with the presence of non‐infectious chronic disease at baseline and after 7 years.Results:  Results show that increasing age, living in an urban area and living in an area with a lower socioeconomic status increase the odds of having a long‐term health condition.Conclusion:  This study provides empirical evidence that older long‐term Australian urban residents are more likely to have a non‐infectious chronic disease, which may be associated with environmental exposure, than those living in rural locations.
Ways in which ‘community’ benefits frail older women's well‐being: ‘we are much happier when we feel we belong’
Authors: Learmonth Emily , Taket Ann , Hanna Lisa 
Published: July 2011

Aim:  This paper aims to explore frail older women's lived experiences of ‘community’ and which aspects of ‘community’ they perceive as beneficial to their well‐being.Method:  This qualitative project used a mixed methodological approach which integrated aspects of descriptive phenomenology and grounded theory. Ten frail, older women residing in South East Melbourne, Australia participated in in‐depth interviews.Results:  This research obtained a rich and detailed account of the aspects of ‘community’ identified by participants as enhancing their well‐being. These included: social contact, community dynamics, feelings of support and positive orientation.Conclusion:  This paper has increased our understanding of the factors supporting well‐being of frail older women. Service providers should actively consider how they can strengthen these factors to improve social connectedness for frail older women by the use of volunteers, developing social networks and increasing availability and quality of community‐based activities.