bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simple pH Treatment as an Effective Tool to Improve the Functional Properties of Ovomucin
Authors: Shan Yuanyuan , Ma Meihu , Huang Xi , Guo Yajuan , Jin Guofeng , Jin Yongguo 
Published: June 2012

Abstract:  Ovomucin has been considered to contribute a lot to the excellent functional properties of egg white. This work focused on investigating the effects of pH and protein concentration on foaming and emulsifying properties of ovomucin to evaluate the proper use of this egg protein as a functional food ingredient, and to clarify its contribution to the functional properties of egg white under different pH conditions. Protein solubility and surface hydrophobicity were measured through the pH ranged from 2.3 to 11.0. Alkali treatment gave ovomucin improved emulsification properties, which were correlated well with the surface hydrophobicity (r≥ 0.89, P < 0.01). Although ovomucin showed lower foaming capacity in acid and neutral solution, enhanced foaming stability was observed with weak acid‐treated ovomucin (pH 5 to 6) compared to native ovomucin. These results demonstrated that acid and alkali treatment, which leads to partial unfolding of ovomucin can improve functional properties of ovomucin, with the greatest improvement for emulsification properties being from the alkali treatment and for foaming stability being from weak acid treatment. These results are helpful to produce unfolding ovomucin suitable for wide range of applications in food industry, and to provide useful information on the proper use of egg white in different food systems.Practical Application:  Ovomucin plays a critical functional role in egg white products. However, it is typically insoluble in distilled water or common salt solutions, which has thus limited its commercial applications. Alkaline treatment resulted in gradual increase in solubility, which markedly enhanced the emulsifying properties, on the other hand foaming stability of ovomucin can be promoted by weak acid treatment. The results of this work help to produce unfolding ovomucin suitable for wide range of applications in food industry, and to provide useful information on the proper use of egg white in different food systems.
Minority donation in the United States
Authors: Shaz B. H. 
Published: June 2012

Background and Objective In the United States, approximately 15 million whole blood products are collected each year from 10 million volunteer donors. African Americans are underrepresented in the donor pool. In 2008, 7% of white versus 4% of African American and Hispanics adults donated in the previous year. The donor rates vary by region in the United States: 77–93% for whites, 1–16% for African Americans and 1–13% for Hispanics. In the Atlanta metropolitan area whose donor pool is 77% white, 16% African American and 4% Hispanic, the blood donor rate (number of blood donors per population) was 11/1000 population for whites, 6/1000 for African Americans and 3/1000 population for Hispanics; and the blood donation rate (number of units donated by population over the total population) was 77 donations/1000 population for whites, 22/1000 population for African Americans and 10/1000 population for Hispanics. Thus, African Americans and Hispanics represent half of the donors as whites when adjusted for their percentage of the population and more strikingly donate a significantly fewer number of units per each donor.Materials and Methods Literature on reasons for racial/ethnic differences in donation rates and methods to address these differences was reviewed.Results The reasons for these differences are multifactorial. First, although 41% of the total US population is estimated to be eligible to donate, African Americans and Hispanics have lower eligibility rates (whites 46%, African Americans 36%, and Hispanics 41%). Second, donor deferral rates are higher for minorities: whites 11%, African Americans 18%, Hispanics 14% and Asians 16%. Deferral is most commonly secondary to temporary deferral reasons such as low hemoglobin level, yet donors are less likely to return once deferred, and thus deferral affects donor and donation rates. Third, minorities may have different motivators and barriers. The most cited motivators to blood donation are more convenient place and times, and being asked; and the most cited barriers are fear of catching a disease and feeling faint/dizzy, and not have time or knowing where to donate. Racial differences in motivating factors identified include African Americans are more likely than whites to donate to receive an item/gift and be tested for infectious disease, and if assured that donating is safe. Notably, these motivators are not the primary cited motivators. African Americans compared with whites more commonly cite fear, difficulty finding veins and not knowing where to donate as deterrents. In addition, African Americans have distrust in the healthcare system, which is correlated with lower donation rates. Fourth, different racial/ethnic groups may have different preferred marketing strategies, including methods of contact, as well as culturally specific motivators for behavioural change.Conclusion Thus, with an improved understanding of these differences as well as accurate tools to measure the outcomes, culturally targeted recruitment programs can be developed to increase donation rates.
Blood donation from adolescents point of view
Authors: Zito E , Alfieri S , Cremonesi G , Marconi M , Saturni V 
Published: June 2012

Background Adolescents are a very interesting potential source for recruiting new blood donors. People who start giving blood as soon as they are adults are likely to donate for longer. Interest in this age group is also connected to several factors: the spread of healthy lifestyles; facilitate access of healthy people to the healthcare service; help develop a responsible mindset in terms of public spirit.Study design and methods Focus groups and analysis of the written results permitted the construction of an explorative questionnaire, administered to 3050 students in ten secondary schools in northern Italy; the participants were from 13 to 21 years old (M = 16.5, SD = 1.65; male = 47.7%, female = 52.3%). The elements covered by the questionnaire concern the tangible and psychological aspects of what could motivate or prevent donation. Descriptive analyses (frequencies, means and standard deviations) were conduced.Results A comprehensive interpretation of the data shows the key roles played by school, figures of reference, peer groups, what the group shares and independent choice.Conclusion This study provides tangible recommendations for appropriate promotion strategies to dedicate to adolescents; they are an important target to involve in recruitment programmes in order to make them aware of blood donation a long time before they can actually give blood.
What is a clinically significant antibody?
Authors: Garratty G. 
Published: June 2012

Blood transfusion scientists have different definitions of ‘clinical significance’. For instance, is clinical significance judged by shortened RBC survival, laboratory evidence of haemolysis (e.g. increased bilirubin, LDH, etc.), and/or clinical signs (e.g. jaundice) of a haemolytic transfusion reaction (HTR)? Are one, two, or all three of these criteria needed to make an antibody significant? For instance, is a shortened RBC survival with no obvious laboratory abnormalities and/or or clinical signs really clinically significant? The answer may be different for a haematology patient requiring regular transfusions and a surgical patient with normal erythropoiesis. It is important to answer these questions in one’s own institution as they are the basis for our choice of compatibility tests and needed for interpretation of assays predicting clinical significance.Several approaches are valuable in predicting clinical significance: (1) specificity and thermal amplitude of the antibody; (2) 1 h survival of 51Cr‐labelled incompatible RBCs; (3) functional cellular assays. Only antibodies reactive at 37°C in vitro are of potential significance. The 51Cr survival and cellular assays [e.g. monocyte monolayer assay (MMA)] are usually used to help decide if incompatible RBCs can be transfused to patients with antibodies to high‐incidence antigens that are sometimes significant but often are not. When the MMA = 5·1–20%, 33% of patients showed no clinical reactions, but 67%, with no clinical signs showed laboratory signs of a reaction. If the MMA is >20%, most patients show clinical (64%) or laboratory (75%) reactions. It is of interest to note that regardless of MMA or 1 h 51Cr results, most patients with antibodies to high‐incidence antigens have abnormal full RBC survival studies (T50Cr), but only one‐third show any clinical signs of a reaction. Thus, when interpreting results for clinicians, it is important to clearly define what you mean by ‘clinical significance’ so that they can balance decisions of transfusing incompatible blood versus time and expense of obtaining rare units lacking the cognate antigen. Cellular assays are not available for many people, so historical data on whether certain specificities have caused HTRs are the only practical approach for many.
Surgical and anaesthetic management of anaemia: pros and cons of cell salvage devices
Authors: Thomas D. 
Published: June 2012

Autologous cell salvaged blood can be an effective way of minimising allogeneic blood transfusion in the elective and emergency surgical setting.The controlled use of such devices does require training and assessment of the operator's competence. There remains a reluctance to use in all surgical situations due to clinical objections about the likelihood of contamination of the blood by bacteria, malignant cells and fetal debris.A well led cell salvage service can ensure that quality assurance is achieved and provides a ready source of red cells for transfusion.
Management of preoperative anemia: The NATA consensus statements
Authors: Bisbe E. , Muñoz M. 
Published: June 2012

Preoperative anemia is highly prevalent in major surgery. The haemoglobin (Hb) level is the main independent risk factor for allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) in surgeries with moderate to high risk of bleeding. Transfusion and preoperative anemia have been associated with worse postoperative outcome and higher mortality in patients undergoing major surgery. On the other hand, hematinic deficiency without anemia may blunt the recovery from postoperative anemia. Thus, early detection and appropriated treatment of anemia in the preoperative setting may reduce the need for transfusion and its negative consequences.Two multidisciplinary panels of physicians were convened by the ‘Network for the Advancement of Transfusion Alternatives’ (NATA) with the aim of developing practice guidelines for the detection and management of preoperative anemia, reviewing the role of intravenous iron, and formulating recommendations using the GRADE working group methodology. The panels recommend that: (1) elective orthopedic surgical patients should have an Hb level determination 4 weeks before surgery, if possible (Grade 1C); (2) further laboratory testing for differential diagnosis in those with anemia (Grade 1C) and (3) nutritional deficiencies should be treated to rising Hb before surgery to be within the normal range (Grade 1C). Finally, the panels suggest that: (1) erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents be used for anaemic patients in whom nutritional deficiencies have been ruled out, corrected, or both (Grade 2A) and (2) intravenous iron administration during the preoperative period for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery who are expected to develop severe postoperative anemia (Grade 2B).
Evaluation of the efficacy of the Allegretto Wave and the Wavefront‐optimized ablation profile in non‐anterior astigmatisms
Authors: Labiris Georgios , Gatzioufas Zisis , Giarmoukakis Athanassios , Sideroudi Haris , Kozobolis Vassilios 
Published: June 2012

Abstract.Purpose:  To assess the efficacy of the Allegretto Wave and the wavefront‐optimized ablation profile (WFO) in non‐anterior astigmatism correction, in both LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) treatments.Methods:  Seventy‐four refractive surgery candidates were recruited prospectively in a non‐randomized trial. Only one eye from each candidate was randomly enrolled in the study. Of them, 40 eyes underwent LASIK treatment (LG group), while 34 eyes underwent PRK treatment (PG group). Preoperatively, the ocular residual astigmatism (ORA) was calculated for each eye, according to which each astigmatism fault was characterized as primarily anterior or non‐anterior. Twenty LG eyes and 16 PG eyes presented primarily anterior astigmatism (LG‐A and PG‐A subgroups, respectively), while 20 LG eyes and 18 PG eyes demonstrated primarily non‐anterior astigmatism (LG‐NA and PG‐NA subgroups, respectively). Postoperatively, vector analysis of astigmatism correction was conducted. The following indexes were calculated: (i) correction index (CI), (ii) difference vector (DV) and (iii) index of success (IOS).Results:  Preoperatively, mean differences between manifest and topographic astigmatisms for the LG and the PG subgroups were significant (p:0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively), while postoperatively, aforementioned differences were non‐significant (p:0.18 and p:0.09, respectively). Regarding vector analysis in the LG group, mean CI, IOS and DV were 1.39 ± 1.26, 0.37 ± 1.06 and 0.30 ± 0.51, respectively. Differences in CI, IOS and DV between LG‐A and LG‐NA subgroups were non‐significant. Regarding vector analysis in the PG group, mean CI, IOS and DV were 1.22 ± 0.33, 0.47 ± 0.46 and 0.27 ± 0.25, respectively. Differences in CI, IOS and DV between PG‐A and PG‐NA subgroups were non‐significant.Conclusions:  Our results suggest that the Allegretto Wave and WFO profile seem to be equally effective in both anterior and non‐anterior astigmatism correction, regardless of treatment type.
Furin mRNA expression in peripheral blood correlates with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Chen Yan , Xie Xia , Gu Lin , Huang Xiao‐Hui , Peng Xiao‐Mou 
Published: June 2012

Aim:  The mechanisms underlying development of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are related to immune tolerance, but are as yet incompletely understood. Furin has been found to be essential for maintenance of peripheral immune tolerance mediated by regulatory T cells (Treg). Such effect of furin on chronic HBV infection was investigated in this study.Methods:  Peripheral blood from 40 individuals with self‐limited HBV infection, 40 patients with asymptomatic persistent HBV infection and 40 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was collected and mRNA expression levels of furin, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 and the Treg‐function‐related forkhead transcription factor FoxP3 were detected using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg were detected using flow cytometry.Results:  Furin mRNA expression in peripheral blood was significantly higher in patients with persistent HBV infection than in individuals with self‐limited infection (P < 0.01), and was much higher in CHB patients than in those with asymptomatic persistent infection (P < 0.01). Furthermore, furin mRNA was relatively higher in patients with positive hepatitis B e antigen and higher levels of serum HBV DNA (>10 000 copies/mL). In patients with CHB, furin mRNA expression was found to correlate with TGF‐β1 mRNA and FoxP3 mRNA expression using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient test. It was 5.7‐times higher in CD4+CD25+ T cells than in CD4+CD25– T cells and correlated with the frequency of Treg (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  Furin mRNA expression in peripheral blood correlates with chronic HBV infection and liver damage, and seems to participate in immune inhibitory and anti‐inflammatory mechanisms in HBV infection, mediated by TGF‐β1 and/or Treg.
Recurrent Microvirgula aerodenitrificans Bacteremia
Authors: Murphy Michael E. , Goodson Angus , Malnick Henry , Shah Jayesh , Neelamkavil Rahul , Devi Ruby 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Microvirgula aerodenitrificans
is a denitrifying Gram-negative organism first described by Patureau et al. in 1998 (D. Patureau et al., Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 48:775–782, 1998). The organism has been isolated globally but has never been described as causative of clinical infection. We describe the first human case of bacteremia attributed to
M. aerodenitrificans
in an infant with Pompe's disease.
Tibial Osteomyelitis Caused by Gordonia bronchialis in an Immunocompetent Patient
Authors: Siddiqui Nauman , Toumeh Anis , Georgescu Claudiu 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTGordoniaspecies are aerobic Gram-positive bacilli that rarely cause human infections, often in the setting of indwelling intravascular catheters. We report the first case of osteomyelitis caused byGordonia bronchialisin a healthy immunocompetent host in the absence of an intravascular catheter.
Cross-Platform Analysis of HIV-1 RNA Data Generated by a Multicenter Assay Validation Study with Wide Geographic Representation
Authors: Jennings Cheryl , Harty Brian , Granger Suzanne , Wager Carrie , Crump John A. , Fiscus Susan A. , Bremer James W. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

HIV-1 RNA quantitation continues to be extremely important for monitoring patients infected with HIV-1, and a number of assays have been utilized for this purpose. Differences in assay performance with respect to log
10
recovery and HIV-1 subtype specificity have been well documented for commercially available assays, although comparisons are usually limited to one or two assay platforms. Two new FDA-approved assays, the Roche Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HIV-1 test (RT) and the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 assay (AR), that utilize real-time PCR have replaced previous HIV-1 RNA platforms. Inadequate detection of some strains of HIV-1 resulted in the addition of a new primer/probe set and the introduction of a second version of the RT assay. In this study, comparisons of assay performance between the different FDA-approved HIV-1 RNA assay platforms (both new and existing) were performed by using validation data that included both well-characterized virus stock and locally collected clinical samples. Laboratories across diverse geographical regions performed the validation testing and submitted data to the Virology Quality Assurance program (VQA) for analysis. Correlation values for clinical sample testing varied across the assay platforms (
r
= 0.832 to 0.986), and average log
10
recoveries for HIV-1 RNA controls (compared to the nominal value) ranged from −0.215 to 0.181. These data demonstrate the need for use of one assay platform for longitudinal patient monitoring, but the data also reinforce the notion that no one assay is superior and that testing across platforms may be required for discordance reconciliation.
Adapted Tembusu-Like Virus in Chickens and Geese in China
Authors: Liu Ming , Chen Shaoying , Chen Yuhuan , Liu Chunguo , Chen Shilong , Yin Xiuchen , Li Gang , Zhang Yun 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT
An outbreak of egg drop disease occurred in many chicken and goose farms in China in 2011. By using an NS5-specific reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), we found that 56% of chicken and 38% of goose samples were positive for Tembusu-like virus (TMUV). Isolates showed high sequence homology to duck TMUVs, and chickens and geese showed signs of egg drop disease after experimental infection with duck TMUV. Our data suggest TMUV has adapted in domestic birds.
Development and Evaluation of a Single-Step Duplex PCR for Simultaneous Detection of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica (Family Fasciolidae, Class Trematoda, Phylum Platyhelminthes)
Authors: Le Thanh Hoa , Nguyen Khue Thi , Nguyen Nga Thi Bich , Doan Huong Thi Thanh , Le Xuyen Thi Kim , Hoang Chau Thi Minh , De Nguyen Van 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

A single-step multiplex PCR (here referred to as a duplex PCR) has been developed for simultaneous detection and diagnosis of
Fasciola hepatica
and
F. gigantica
. These species overlap in distribution in many countries of North and East Africa and Central and Southeast Asia and are similar in egg morphology, making identification from fecal samples difficult. Based on a comparative alignment of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) spanning the region of
cox1-trnT-rrnL
, two species-specific forward primers were designed, FHF (for
F. hepatica
) and FGF (for
F. gigantica
), and a single reverse primer, FHGR (common for both species). Conventional PCR followed by sequencing was applied using species-specific primer pairs to verify the specificity of primers and the identity of
Fasciola
DNA templates. Duplex PCR (using three primers) was used for testing with the DNA extracted from adult worms, miracidia, and eggs, producing amplicons of 1,031 bp for
F. hepatica
and 615 bp for
F. gigantica
. The duplex PCR failed to amplify from DNA of other common liver and intestinal trematodes, including two opisthorchiids, three heterophyids, an echinostomid, another fasciolid, and a taeniid cestode. The sensitivity assay showed that the duplex PCR limit of detection for each
Fasciola
species was between 0.012 ng and 0.006 ng DNA. Evaluation using DNA templates from 32
Fasciola
samples (28 adults and 4 eggs) and from 25 field-collected stools of ruminants and humans revealed specific bands of the correct size and the presence of
Fasciola
species. This novel mtDNA duplex PCR is a sensitive and fast tool for accurate identification of
Fasciola
species in areas of distributional and zonal overlap.
Comparison of Two Capillary Gel Electrophoresis Systems for Clostridium difficile Ribotyping, Using a Panel of Ribotype 027 Isolates and Whole-Genome Sequences as a Reference Standard
Authors: Xiao Meng , Kong Fanrong , Jin Ping , Wang Qinning , Xiao Kelin , Jeoffreys Neisha , James Gregory , Gilbert Gwendolyn L. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

PCR ribotyping is the most commonly used
Clostridium difficile
genotyping method, but its utility is limited by lack of standardization. In this study, we analyzed four published whole genomes and tested an international collection of 21 well-characterized
C. difficile
ribotype 027 isolates as the basis for comparison of two capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE)-based ribotyping methods. There were unexpected differences between the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ISR) allelic profiles of the four ribotype 027 genomes, but six bands were identified in all four and a seventh in three genomes. All seven bands and another, not identified in any of the whole genomes, were found in all 21 isolates. We compared sequencer-based CGE (SCGE) with three different primer pairs to the Qiagen QIAxcel CGE (QCGE) platform. Deviations from individual reference/consensus band sizes were smaller for SCGE (0 to 0.2 bp) than for QCGE (4.2 to 9.5 bp). Compared with QCGE, SCGE more readily distinguished bands of similar length (more discriminatory), detected bands of larger size and lower intensity (more sensitive), and assigned band sizes more accurately and reproducibly, making it more suitable for standardization. Specifically, QCGE failed to identify the largest ISR amplicon. Based on several criteria, we recommend the primer set 16S-USA/23S-USA for use in a proposed standard SCGE method. Similar differences between SCGE and QCGE were found on testing of 14 isolates of four other
C. difficile
ribotypes. Based on our results, ISR profiles based on accurate sequencer-based band lengths would be preferable to agarose gel-based banding patterns for the assignment of ribotypes.