bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flow cytometry assessment of apoptotic CD34+ cells by annexin V labeling may improve prediction of cord blood potency for engraftment
Authors: Duggleby Richard C. , Querol Sergio , Davy Robert C. , Fry Laura J. , Gibson Daniel A. , Horton Roger B.V. , Mahmood Salmah N. , Gomez Susana G. , Madrigal J. Alejandro 
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND: Nonviable CD34+ cells are commonly assessed by standard flow cytometry using the nuclear stain 7‐aminoactinomycin D (7AAD). 7AAD, however, only detects necrotic and late apoptotic cells, not earlier apoptosis, which engraft poorly in animal models of cord blood (cord) transplantation. The standard method, therefore, may overestimate engraftment potency of cord units under certain conditions.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To detect apoptotic events, costaining with 7AAD and annexin V (AnnV), in parallel with the quantitative, standard enumeration, was used. Cord units were assessed before and after cryopreservation using both staining methods and colony‐forming units (CFU) to determine if graft potency can be predicted using a “functional flow cytometry” approach.RESULTS: Significant numbers of CD34+ AnnV+ events were found within the 7AAD‐gated population. Nonapoptotic cell dose (CD34+ AnnV−) correlated well with CFUs in both a small‐scale (n = 10) and a large‐scale banking study (n = 107). Finally, following samples postthaw with time showed increasing numbers of apoptotic CD34+ cells and consequently the AnnV assessed dose was better at predicting the CFU compared with just the standard enumeration.CONCLUSION: Defining the apoptotic population of CD34+ cells improved the prediction of CFU, making this method a rapid test of potency for assessment of cord units for clinical use.
Bacterial screening of outdated buffy coat platelet pools using a culture system and a rapid immunoassay
Authors: Ramírez‐Arcos Sandra , Kou Yuntong , Mastronardi Cherie , Perkins Heather , Goldman Mindy 
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND: Canadian Blood Services performs bacterial screening of buffy coat platelet pools (BCPs) using aerobic BacT/ALERT cultures. This study aimed to determine the rate of detection failures during initial platelet (PLT) screening and evaluate the introduction of anaerobic cultures and immunoassay testing to assess the safety of extending PLT storage beyond 5 days.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Outdated (7‐ to 10‐day‐old) BCPs that tested negative during initial screening were assayed with BacT/ALERT and the Verax PLT Pan Genera detection (PGD) test, an immunoassay that detects Gram‐positive (GP) and Gram‐negative (GN) bacteria. BacT/ALERT aerobic and anaerobic culture bottles were inoculated with 8 to 10 mL of BCP and incubated for up to 6 days. The PGD test was performed following manufacturer's instructions. Positive results were confirmed using the BacT/ALERT and PGD tests, blood agar culture, and Gram staining. Invalid PGD results were investigated.RESULTS: A total of 4002 BCPs were tested with one (0.025%) true positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis) found by both the BacT/ALERT and the PGD assays. Fifty‐four (1.35%) false‐positive BacT/ALERT cultures were obtained mainly due to instrument errors involving anaerobic cultures. Eleven (0.27%) false‐positive PGD tests were observed in the GP window of the strip. Forty‐nine (1.2%) invalid PGD results were obtained mostly before implementation of a humidity chamber.CONCLUSION: Testing of outdated BCPs suggests that introducing anaerobic cultures would result in significant PLT wastage due to a high rate of false positives. Contaminated BCPs still escape detection during initial testing; therefore, extension of PLT storage may be possible if repeat screening is performed before transfusion.
Allogeneic single‐donor cryoseal produced from fresh‐frozen quarantine apheresis plasma as alternative for multidonor or autologous fibrin sealants
Authors: Hazelaar Sandra , Dijkstra‐Tiekstra Margriet J. , de Korte Dirk , de Wildt‐Eggen Janny 
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND: Fibrin sealant is a human blood product consisting of two components: cryoprecipitate and thrombin. Commercial fibrin sealants are produced from multidonors, increasing the viral risk, and contain fibrinolytic inhibitors such as tranexamic acid or bovine aprotinin. Autologous fibrin sealants reduce the viral risk and are mostly produced during a surgical procedure or well in advance. Alternatively, the allogeneic single‐donor fibrin sealant cryoseal can be used. In this study cryoseal was characterized and the manufacturing consistency of the production process was investigated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Cryoseal was produced from plasma collected on apheresis machines using a commercial device. In a research setting the protein composition and recovery were determined. Also, the manufacturing consistency of the production process was tested in a research setting as well as in a routine setting.RESULTS: In the research setting all produced cryoseal met the quality control requirements of a clotting time of less than 10 seconds and the presence of Factor (F)XIII (qualitative). In the routine setting, one procedure per year did not meet these requirements. The protein composition showed the following mean ± standard deviation (%recovery) results: thrombin 25.7 ± 11.1 IU/mL, fibrinogen 19.9 ± 4.6 (15%) mg/mL, FVIII 15.6 ± 5.4 (44%) IU/mL, FXIII 2.7 ± 0.7 (6%) IU/mL, and plasminogen 1.8 ± 0.2 (4%) U/mL. In both research and routine settings the production process resulted in a consistent product.CONCLUSION: The cryoseal manufacturing process resulted in a consistent product, which meets the predetermined specifications. The single‐donor origin and the absence of fibrinolytic inhibitors make cryoseal a good alternative for multidonor and autologous fibrin sealants.
Anti‐U‐like as an alloantibody in S−s−U− and S−s−U+var black people
Authors: Peyrard Thierry , Lam Yin , Saison Carole , Arnaud Lionel , Babinet Jérôme , Rouger Philippe , Bierling Philippe , Janvier Daniel 
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND: S, s, and U antigens belong to the MNS system. They are carried by glycophorin B (GPB), encoded by GYPB. Black people with the low‐prevalence S−s− phenotype, either U− or U+var, can make a clinically significant anti‐U. Anti‐U‐like, a cold immunoglobulin G autoantibody quite commonly observed in S−s+U+ black persons, was previously described to be nonreactive with ficin‐, α‐chymotrypsin‐, and pronase‐treated red blood cells (RBCs); nonreactive or weakly reactive with papain‐treated RBCs; and reactive with trypsin‐treated RBCs. Here we describe, in S−s− people from different molecular backgrounds, an alloantibody to a high‐prevalence GPB antigen, which presents the same pattern of reactivity with proteases as autoanti‐U‐like.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Four S−s− patients with an alloantibody to a high‐prevalence GPB antigen were investigated by serologic and molecular methods.RESULTS: An alloantibody was observed in two S−s−U−/Del GYPB, one S−s−U+var/GYPB(P2), and one S−s−U+var/GYPB(NY) patients. As this alloantibody showed the same pattern of reactivity with proteases as autoanti‐U‐like, we decided to name it “anti‐U‐like.” Anti‐U‐like made by the two S−s−U− patients was reactive with the S−s−U+var RBCs of the two other patients.CONCLUSION: S−s−U−/Del GYPB, S−s−U+var/GYPB(P2), and S−s−U+var/GYPB(NY) patients can make an alloanti‐U‐like. Anti‐U‐like made by S−s−U− people appears reactive with GYPB(P2) and GYPB(NY) RBCs, which both express a weak and partial U‐like reactivity. We recommend transfusing S−s−U− RBCs in S−s−U− patients showing alloanti‐U‐like. Our study contributes to a better understanding of alloimmunization to GPB in black people and confirms importance of genotyping in S−s− patients, especially those with sickle cell disease to be frequently transfused.
Multivariate Analysis of Premium Dynamics in P&L Insurance
Authors: Lazar Dorina , Denuit Michel M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThis article studies the dynamic relationship between premiums and losses on the U.S. property–casualty insurance market, accounting for the external impacts of GDP and interest rate. Compared to the existing literature, the present work innovates in that the dynamic relationships between premiums, losses, GDP, and interest rate are studied in a cointegration framework, single‐equation and vector approach, involving the long‐ and short‐run dynamics. The results suggest a stable long‐run equilibrium between premiums, losses, and general economy. On short term, the premiums adjust quickly and significantly to the long‐term disequilibrium and have a strong autoregressive behavior. External factors contribute to explain the dynamics of premiums.
Effective Nitrogen Doping for Fabricating Highly Conductive β‐SiC Ceramics
Authors: Kim Kwang Joo , Lim Kwang‐Young , Kim Young‐Wook 
Published: September 2011

The effects of the yttrium nitrate (YN) content on nitrogen doping and the electrical resistivity of SiC ceramics were investigated. The YN was found to be an effective sintering additive for the full densification of SiC ceramics by hot‐pressing. The hot‐pressed bulk samples were identified as polycrystalline zincblende β‐SiC with a small amount of α‐SiC and Y2O3 crystallites. The SiC grains contained nitrogen (N) as an impurity that contributed to the decrease in electrical resistivity of the samples. An optimum YN composition exists for which the N concentration is maximized to give the lowest resistivity. The SiC samples exhibited a resistivity as low as ~10−3 Ω·cm and a carrier density of ~1020 cm−3, which was excited from the N donor levels. The resistivity of the samples was maintained in the same order of magnitude over a wide temperature range (4–300 K).
aV integrins and TGF‐β‐induced EMT: a circle of regulation
Authors: Mamuya Fahmy A. , Duncan Melinda K. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractEMT and pathogenesis: the good, the bad and the uglyTGF‐b—a central player in EMTChanges in cell–cell/cell–ECM adhesion in EMT—the role of integrins during EMTTGF‐b as a regulator of integrin expression during EMTaV integrins activate TGF‐b ‐ Conformational change activation mechanism ‐ Conformational change activation mechanism with proteolysisTGF‐b and integrin signalling cross‐talk during EMTDisease perspectivesCompleting the circleAcknowledgementsConflicts of interestTransforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) has roles in embryonic development, the prevention of inappropriate inflammation and tumour suppression. However, TGF‐β signalling also regulates pathological epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), inducing or progressing a number of diseases ranging from inflammatory disorders, to fibrosis and cancer. However, TGF‐β signalling does not proceed linearly but rather induces a complex network of cascades that mutually influence each other and cross‐talk with other pathways to successfully induce EMT. Particularly, there is substantial evidence for cross‐talk between αV integrins and TGF‐β during EMT, and anti‐integrin therapeutics are under development as treatments for TGF‐β‐related disorders. However, TGF‐β’s complex signalling network makes the development of therapeutics to block TGF‐β‐mediated pathology challenging. Moreover, despite our current understanding of integrins and TGF‐β function during EMT, the precise mechanism of their role during physiological versus pathological EMT is not fully understood. This review focuses on the circle of regulation between αV integrin and TGF‐β signalling during TGF‐β induced EMT, which pose as a significant driver to many known TGF‐β‐mediated disorders.
Characterization of SCCmec elements in methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from blood cultures from neonates during three decades
Authors: SVENSSON KAROLINA , HELLMARK BENGT , SÖDERQUIST BO 
Published: September 2011

Svensson K, Hellmark B, Söderquist B. Characterization of SCCmec elements in methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from blood cultures from neonates during three decades. APMIS 2011; 119: 885–93.Staphylococcus epidermidis is a major cause of nosocomial infections in immunocompromised patients and the predominant pathogen in catheter‐related infections and bloodstream infections. Approximately 70–80% of S. epidermidis carry the mecA gene encoding methicillin resistance. The mecA gene is located on a mobile genetic element, the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). The aim of this study was to characterize the SCCmec elements as well as the adjacent arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) in 30 clinical blood isolates of mecA positive S. epidermidis obtained from neonates and collected over a period of three decades. The ccr and mec gene complexes were identified using PCR. The SCCmec elements were found among 29/30 isolates and 13 different combinations of ccr gene complexes and mec gene complexes were identified. Staphylococcus epidermidis regularly carried multiple copies of ccr gene complexes, but only one class of mec gene complex. Three isolates could be assigned the SCCmec type III (3A). The combinations of ccr gene complexes and the mec gene complexes differed among the three decades. The most frequent combination was class B mec in combination with ccr1 and ccr2. Staphylococcus epidermidis may constitute a large reservoir for SCCmec elements, and frequent exchange of mobile genetic elements between staphylococcal species may explain the emergence of new MRSA strains.
Comparison between oscillometric and invasive blood pressure measurements in critically ill premature infants
Authors: Takci Sahin , Yigit Sule , Korkmaz Ayse , Yurdakök Murat 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAim:  Blood pressure (BP) measurement techniques in neonates generally involve noninvasive measurements with a cuff (oscillometric) or invasive measurements through an arterial catheter. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of the noninvasive oscillometric method in critically ill preterm infants when results were compared with the invasive technique.Method:  Twenty‐seven premature infants with a mean birth weight of 1138 ± 552 g were enrolled in the prospective study. Invasive and noninvasive mean arterial pressure (MAP) levels were recorded simultaneously at each measurement in all patients. Low or lower range mean invasive MAP values (MAP ≤30) were evaluated separately as we aimed to assess the value of noninvasive measurements in hypotensive sick premature infants.Results:  Totally, 431 paired BP measurements were taken during the first week of life. There was no statistically significant difference between invasive and noninvasive readings. However, noninvasive measurements were found significantly higher compared with invasive measurements in the presence of hypotension (p < 0.05).Conclusion:  This study showed good agreement between oscillometric and invasive readings in critically ill premature infants, and further, comparable mean MAP values were found with the two methods. However, the accuracy of the oscillometric BP measurement technique fails in preterm infants with BP within the lower limits.
Fire and herbivory are not substitutable: evidence from regrowth patterns and changes in physical and chemical defences in Acacia seedlings
Authors: Hean Jeff W. , Ward David 
Published: September 2011

AbstractQuestionsWhat are the relative effects of burning and herbivory on regrowth and physical and chemical defences in Acacia seedlings? Are effects of herbivory consistent with predictions of the resource availability hypothesis? Do plants growing with adequate resources regrow lost material while those with low resource availability defend themselves to minimize effects of herbivory?LocationArboretum, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.MethodsWe performed a two‐factor, completely randomized experiment on seven indigenous African Acacia (Acacia erioloba, A. haematoxylon, A. karroo, A. nilotica, A. robusta, A. sieberiana and A. xanthophloea) with simulated burning using a blowtorch and simulated herbivory by cutting at the first node. We measured seedling regrowth, thorn length and number, and tannin content.ResultsNew stems were produced for all species. In all seven species, the control (no fire, no herbivory) produced longer stems than other treatments. Simulated herbivory increased thorn abundance among Acacia species, while burning often led to decreased overall thorn length. Tannin analysis revealed positive and negative responses of individual species to burning and herbivory.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that Acacia seedlings are tolerant of disturbance events such as herbivory and burning but these effects cannot be assumed to be substitutable. Importantly, there was a positive response to simulated herbivory and a negative response to fire in most species. The mechanisms behind these changes appear to be mediated by induction of defence responses (resulting in a positive response to herbivory) and a cost for root storage (resulting in reduced defences after fire). Only A. robusta displayed regrowth and defence responses consistent with predictions of the resource availability hypothesis. In contrast, the two arid‐adapted species invested heavily in regrowth but not in defence, while four of the five mesic species invested in increased defence.
Adult with sacral lipomyelomeningocele covered by an anomalous bone articulated with iliac bone: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images
Authors: Lee Seung Hwa , Je Bo‐Kyung , Kim Sung‐Bum , Kim Baek Hyun 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTThe present paper reports and discusses a case of sacral lipomyelomeningocele with an anomalous long bone articulating with the left iliac bone in a 40‐year‐old female. That patient had a monozygotic twin sister who had normal spine. The findings were incidental during an evaluation for a urinary tract infection. The computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images revealed sacral dysraphism, lipomyelomeningocele, tethered spinal cord, and profound subcutaneous fat in the sacrococcygeal region. In addition, an anomalous bony strut was demonstrated on the posterior aspect of the sacrum, covering the sacral defect and the associated lipomyelomeningocele. The 3‐D CT images of the anomalous bone associated with the sacral lipomyelomeningocele and the putative embryologic process are presented with a review of the literature.
Alcohol Consumption Among Urban, Suburban, and Rural Veterans Affairs Outpatients
Authors: Williams Emily C. , McFarland Lynne V. , Nelson Karin M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPurpose: United States rural residents tend toward poorer health than urban residents. Although alcohol use is associated with multiple medical conditions and can be reduced via brief primary care‐based interventions, it is unknown whether alcohol consumption differs by rurality among primary care patients. We sought to describe alcohol consumption among urban, suburban, and rural Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatients.Methods: Outpatients from 7 VA facilities responded to mailed surveys that included the validated Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT‐C) screening questionnaire. The ZIP code approximation of the US Department of Agriculture's rural‐urban commuting area (RUCA) codes classified participants into urban, suburban, and rural areas. For each area, adjusted logistic regression models estimated the prevalence of past‐year abstinence among all participants and unhealthy alcohol use (AUDIT‐C ≥ 3 for women and ≥ 4 for men) among drinkers.Findings: Among 33,883 outpatients, 14,967 (44%) reported abstinence. Among 18,916 drinkers, 8,524 (45%) screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use. The adjusted prevalence of abstinence was lowest in urban residents (43%, 95% CI 42%‐43%) with significantly higher rates in both suburban and rural residents [45% (44%‐46%) and 46% (45%‐47%), respectively]. No significant differences were observed in the adjusted prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use among drinkers.Conclusions: Abstinence is slightly more common among rural and suburban than urban VA outpatients, but unhealthy alcohol use does not vary by rurality. As the VA and other health systems implement evidence‐based care for unhealthy alcohol use, more research is needed to identify whether preventive strategies targeted to high‐risk areas are needed.
Structure and function of a complex sensory synapse
Authors: Regus‐Leidig H. , Brandstätter J. H. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractVision is the most important of the senses for humans, and the retina is the first stage in the processing of light signals in the visual system. In the retina, highly specialized light‐sensing neurons, the rod and cone photoreceptors, convert light into neural signals. These signals are extensively processed and filtered in the subsequent retinal network before transmitted to the higher visual centres in the brain, where the perception of viewed objects and scenes is finally constructed. A key feature of signal processing in the mammalian retina is parallel processing. Visual information is segregated in parallel pathways already at the rod and cone photoreceptor terminals, which provide multiple output synapses for the faithful encoding and transfer of the visual signals to the post‐receptoral retinal network. This review aims at highlighting the current knowledge about the structural and functional pre‐ and post‐synaptic specializations of rod and cone photoreceptor ribbon synapses, which belong to the most complex chemical synapses in the central nervous system.
Platelet Cyclooxygenase Expression in Normal Dogs
Authors: Thomason J. , Lunsford K. , Mullins K. , Stokes J. , Pinchuk L. , Wills R. , Mclaughlin R. , Langston C. , Pruett S. , Mackin A. 
Published: September 2011

Background:Human platelets express both cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). Variation in COX‐2 expression could be a mechanism for variable response to aspirin.Hypothesis/Objectives:The hypotheses were that circulating canine platelets express COX‐1 and COX‐2, and that aspirin alters COX expression. The objective was to identify changes in platelet COX expression and in platelet function caused by aspirin administration to dogs.Animals:Eight female, intact hounds.Methods:A single population, repeated measures design was used to evaluate platelet COX‐1 and COX‐2 expression by flow cytometry before and after aspirin (10 mg/kg Q12h for 10 days). Platelet function was analyzed via PFA‐100® (collagen/epinephrine), and urine 11‐dehydro‐thromboxane B2 (11‐dTXB2) was measured and normalized to urinary creatinine. Differences in COX expression, PFA‐100® closure times, and urine 11‐dTXB2 : creatinine ratio were analyzed before and after aspirin administration.Results:Both COX‐1 and COX‐2 were expressed in canine platelets. COX‐1 mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) increased in all dogs, by 250% (range 63–476%), while COX‐2 expression did not change significantly (P = 0.124) after aspirin exposure, with large interindividual variation. PFA‐100® closure times were prolonged and urine 11‐dTXB2 concentration decreased in all dogs after aspirin administration.Conclusions and Clinical Importance:Canine platelets express both COX isoforms. After aspirin exposure, COX‐1 expression increased despite impairment of platelet function, while COX‐2 expression varied markedly among dogs. Variability in platelet COX‐2 expression should be explored as a potential mechanism for, or marker of, variable aspirin responsiveness.
Ultrasonographic examination of the distal podotrochlear apparatus of the horse: A transcuneal approach
Authors: Jacquet S. , Denoix J.‐M. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryIn the diagnostic work‐up of lameness originating from the foot, ultrasonographic examination is an essential complement to radiography for the detection of soft tissue lesions of the podotrochlear apparatus (PTA). The infrasesamoidean part of the deep digital flexor tendon, distal sesamoidean ligament and distal sesamoid bone can be accurately assessed using a transcuneal approach. This paper describes the ultrasonographic technique and presents normal and abnormal ultrasound images of the infrasesamoidean part of the PTA.