bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Donor vigilance: progress and challenges
Authors: Wiersum‐Osselton J. C. , Marijt‐van der Kreek T. , de Kort W. L. A. M. 
Published: June 2012

Background  Internationally, there is increased interest in reporting, treating and attempting to reduce complications of blood donation. Donor haemovigilance is the systematic monitoring of adverse reactions and incidents in the whole chain of blood donor care, with a view to improving quality and safety for blood donors.International Developments  Several studies have described the risk factors for vasovagal reactions – female donors, young age, first‐time status, low body weight, etc. A water drink before donation, use of applied muscle tension and social support during donation have been found effective in reducing minor vasovagal reactions and/or increasing the likelihood of donors returning for subsequent donations. Haematomas and other venepuncture‐related complications are frequent and are the predominant cause of long‐term morbidity from complications of blood donation. International surveillance data on donor complications are captured in ‘ISTARE’ International Surveillance database for Transfusion‐associated Adverse Reactions and Events, which is being developed by the International Hemovigilance Network.Experience in The Netherlands: Better Monitoring of Donor Complications, Where Next?  All donor complications and procedural problems are routinely recorded in the computer system eProgesa. Since 2009, the results have been monitored. An improved coding list was introduced in 2010 in order to record more details and cover new procedures such as Rhesus immunizations. The overall rate of donor complications increased from 0·64 in 2009 to 0·80 per 1000 whole blood collections (second half of 2010) and from 1·34 to 1·40 per 1000 plasmaphereses; there were no changes in donor demographics or procedures to explain this, so better recording is presumed. The recorded complications and procedural problems are regularly presented in team leaders’ and regional directors’ meetings. The data have been used to analyse the effect of a procedural modification: increasing the concentration of citrate solution used in plasmapheresis. The rate of terminating procedures because of citrate reactions was 0·14 per 1000 collections [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·018–0·27] before and 0·09 (95% CI 0·018–0·17) after the modification, signifying no relevant change. It is hoped that in 2012 a revised donor information brochure with instructions on avoiding vasovagal reactions will be piloted and subsequently tested. Nevertheless, only immediate and short‐term complications can be effectively addressed by the recording and analysis of complications. Longer term issues such as whole blood donor iron status are the subject of research in our country and abroad.Conclusion  In our country as well as elsewhere, recording and monitoring the incidence of complications of blood donation has become the norm. Knowledge of risk factors and evidence‐based interventions will enable blood establishments worldwide to reduce donor complications. As yet, longer term complications are not well addressed.
The steps taken for establishing a blood service in Chile
Authors: Contreras M. , Martínez C. , Larrondo M. , Cárdenas C. 
Published: June 2012

In 2007, there were 59 public organizations collecting, processing and testing blood in Chile, all based on mainly replacement donors. The Ministry of Health (MINSAL) created a National Blood Commission (NBC) to support the national health authorities in establishing a National Service for Blood and Tissues. Hence, a unique opportunity was created to undertake a comprehensive strategic situation analysis of the Chilean blood system.Details of the services available across the country were gathered via a detailed questionnaire sent to the two blood centres, all blood banks and Transfusion Medicine Units, to identify resources (human, financial, equipment, facilities), activities, demand, supply, etc. A development plan was drawn up using the results of this questionnaire, and the details are summarized here. Further plans for the future are also being developed.
Bacterial contamination, screening and follow up: clinical aspects
Authors: Wood E. M. , Borosak M. 
Published: June 2012

Bacterial contamination remains an important infectious complication of blood transfusion, with potentially fatal outcome. Platelets are at greatest risk, especially due to their current storage requirements. Many measures have been implemented to reduce risks, including routine screening of platelet components prior to release in some countries. Experience from screening programs is now accumulating in the peer‐reviewed literature and reports from haemovigilance programs. However, methodological differences in pre‐release platelet screening can make interpretation and comparison of published data difficult. These differences include product type and shelf‐life; volume, method and timing of sampling/inoculation; use of aerobic bottles alone or with anaerobic bottles; type of test system in use; duration of culture; definition of confirmed positives; and processes for management of results and communication to clinicians and patients.Important clinical questions remain regarding notification of platelet screening results to hospital laboratories, treating clinical staff and patients, and subsequent management. Contexts and logistics are different in different countries, and no single approach will suit all settings, but these practicalities will influence the reported outcomes. For example, findings will be affected by whether notification is made at the stage of an “initial machine positive” result or only once confirmed, and whether follow up of patients is active or passive. Transfusing laboratories often have limited information on which to base decisions about patients at particular risk, and many platelets are transfused to outpatients, meaning that patients are not in the hospital when screening results become available.This presentation will explore a number of important questions. For example, should treating clinicians always be notified about initial machine positive results? Should all patients be contacted to be assessed for evidence of sepsis? If so, at what stage, and what clinical assessments and/or investigations should be performed? Which, if any, patients should receive prophylactic antibiotics, and when? What are the implications for informed consent regarding transfusion? What procedures do blood services and hospitals need to have in place for notification of clinicians and patients regarding platelets and any associated components? What are the resource implications? How should events be reviewed within hospitals, and what information should be reported to haemovigilance programs?
What is the appropriate size of the worldwide cord blood inventory?
Authors: Querol S. , Marsh S. G. E. , Palou E. , Gomez S. G. , Torrabadella M. , Ortiz P. , Puig L. , Madrigal A. 
Published: June 2012

In spite HLA polymorphism distribution has some variations between major ethnic groups, in a US study by Beatty et al. (Human Immunology, 2000), 10 000 donors provided a 4/6 HLA‐match for patient in every group using the conventional CB match criteria (low resolution for HLA‐A,‐B and high resolution for HLA‐DRB1). This was also shown in our UK study where 10 000 randomly selected donors allowed finding a match for almost all patients (Querol, Haematologica, 2009). For better match level (5/6) a bigger inventory was required but enlarging size showed a progressive decrease on its efficiency. Thus, only 5000 units were required to find a donor for 50% of patients; but to achieve 65%, we then need to triplicate size (15 000), and growth up to 50 000, to match 80%. Further increase has only marginal benefit. We can then speculate that an optimal world size inventory be the addition of fractions of 5–15 000 donors for each major ethnic group considered, depending on their anticipated diversity, to at least provide options of finding a 5/6 donor for more than half of the patients but assuring a 4/6 match donor for almost any of them. In addition, inter‐ethnic cross matching and other HLA favorable interactions like use of HLA homozygous for mixed ethnicities, and consideration of Non‐Inherited Maternal Antigen (NIMA) match effect, if confirmed, would further increase donor availability. If we consider 23 major ethnic groups as proposed by the allele frequency net database (Gonzalez‐Galarza, Nucleic Acid Research 2011), a worldwide CB inventory would be in the region of 300 000 units. This would suffice to provide an optimal compatible donor for any patient in need. To be effective, all units within the inventory should be larger than 1·5E9 total nucleated cells (20% of those collected) to serve patients up to 100 kg using the double CBT strategy (threshold 1·5E7 TNC/kg). A central world cord blood bank may achieve this equalitarian goal with €300 million budget and a proper world distribution and size of regional collection programmes.
Performance of the 2010 rheumatoid arthritis classification criteria
Authors: Davatchi Fereydoun , Abari Iraj Salehi , Soroosh Soosan , Soroosh Mohsen , Abdollahi Bahar Sadeghi 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjectivesRheumatoid arthritis (RA) needs early treatment to improve clinical outcome by reducing joint damage, radiographic progression and disability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 2010 Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification Criteria for its ability to classify RA patients, in their early stages, not exceeding 12 months of disease progression.MethodsRheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were selected from August to December 2010, among those coming for their follow‐up. The inclusion criteria were patients with not more than 12 months of disease progression at their first evaluation. Patients were selected from four rheumatology subspecialty clinics.ResultsNine hundred and ninety‐seven patients with a confirmed diagnosis of RA entered the study. The female‐to‐male ratio was 4.3/1.0. Mean age was 46.4 years. Mean disease progression at first visit was 6.3 months. The mean follow‐up of their disease was 5.9 years. The 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were fulfilled for 74% of patients. The ACR/EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism) criteria were fulfilled for 69% of patients. Ten percent had involvement of 2–10 large joints, 29% 1–3 small joints, 25% 4–10 small joints and 32% more than 10 joints. Low rheumatoid factor (RF)/anticytoplasmic antibodies (ACPA) were discovered in 30%, high RF/ACPA in 37%; high erythrocyte sedimentation rate/C‐reactive protein in 77%, and duration of 6 weeks or more in 92% of patients. There was no significant difference between men and women.ConclusionsThe 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria have good performance: sensitivity of 69% in early disease (first year), with the same sensitivity in both genders.
Positive Regulation of Leptospira interrogans kdp Expression by KdpE as Demonstrated with a Novel β-Galactosidase Reporter in Leptospira biflexa
Authors: Matsunaga James , Coutinho Mariana L. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTLeptospirosis is a potentially deadly zoonotic disease that afflicts humans and animals.Leptospira interrogans, the predominant agent of leptospirosis, encounters diverse conditions as it proceeds through its life cycle, which includes stages inside and outside the host. Unfortunately, the number of genetic tools available for examining the regulation of gene expression inL. interrogansis limited. Consequently, little is known about the genetic circuits that control gene expression inLeptospira. To better understand the regulation of leptospiral gene expression, theL. interrogans kdplocus, encoding homologs of the P-type ATPase KdpABC potassium transporter with their KdpD sensors and KdpE response regulators, was selected for analysis. We showed that akdpEmutation inL. interrogansprevented the increase inkdpABCmRNA levels observed in the wild-typeL. interrogansstrain when external potassium levels were low. To confirm that KdpE was a positive regulator ofkdpABCtranscription, we developed a novel approach for constructing chromosomal genetic fusions to the endogenousbgaL(β-galactosidase) gene of the nonpathogenLeptospira biflexa. We demonstrated positive regulation of akdpA′-bgaLfusion inL. biflexaby theL. interrogansKdpE response regulator. A controllipL32′-bgaLfusion was not regulated by KdpE. These results demonstrate the utility of genetic fusions to thebgaLgene ofL. biflexafor examining leptospiral gene regulation.
New Molecular Quantitative PCR Assay for Detection of Host-Specific Bifidobacteriaceae Suitable for Microbial Source Tracking
Authors: Gómez-Doñate Marta , Ballesté Elisenda , Muniesa Maite , Blanch Anicet R. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Bifidobacterium
spp. belong to the commensal intestinal microbiota of warm-blooded animals. Some strains of
Bifidobacterium
show host specificity and have thus been proposed as host-specific targets to determine the origin of fecal pollution. Most strains have been used in microbial-source-tracking (MST) studies based on culture-dependent methods. Although some of these approaches have proved very useful, the low prevalence of culturable
Bifidobacterium
strains in the environment means that molecular culture-independent procedures could provide practical applications for MST. Reported here is a set of common primers and four
Bifidobacterium
sp. host-associated (human, cattle, pig, and poultry) probes for quantitative-PCR (qPCR) assessment of fecal source tracking. This set was tested using 25 water samples of diverse origin: urban sewage samples, wastewater from four abattoirs (porcine, bovine, and poultry), and water from a river with a low pollution load. The selected sequences showed a high degree of host specificity. There were no cross-reactions between the qPCR assays specific for each origin and samples from different fecal origins. On the basis of the findings, it was concluded that the host-specific qPCRs are sufficiently robust to be applied in environmental MST studies.
Conjugal Transfer of Polychlorinated Biphenyl/Biphenyl Degradation Genes in Acidovorax sp. Strain KKS102, Which Are Located on an Integrative and Conjugative Element
Authors: Ohtsubo Yoshiyuki , Ishibashi Yoko , Naganawa Hideaki , Hirokawa Satoshi , Atobe Satomi , Nagata Yuji , Tsuda Masataka 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

A polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)/biphenyl degradation gene cluster in
Acidovorax
sp. strain KKS102, which is very similar to that in Tn
4371
from
Cupriavidus oxalaticus
A5, was transferred to several proteobacterial strains by conjugation. The mobilized DNA fragment consisted of 61,807 bp and carried genes for mating-pair formation (
mpf
), DNA transfer (
dtr
), integrase (
int
), and replication-partition proteins (
rep
-
parAB
). In the transconjugants, transferred DNA was integrated at ATTGCATCAG or similar sequences. The circular-form integrative and conjugative element (ICE) was detected by PCR, and quantitative PCR analyses revealed that, in KKS102 cells, the ratio of the circular form to the integrated form was very low (approximately 10
−5
). The circular form was not detected in a mutant of the
int
gene, which was located at the extreme left and transcribed in the inward direction, and the level of
int
transcriptional activity was much higher in the circular form than in the integrated form. These findings clearly demonstrated that the genes for PCB/biphenyl degradation in KKS102 cells are located on an ICE, which was named ICE
KKS102
4677
. Comparisons of similar ICE-like elements collected from the public database suggested that those of beta- and gammaproteobacteria were distinguishable from other ICE-like elements, including those in alphaproteobacteria, with respect to the gene composition and gene organization.
The Extracytoplasmic Function Sigma Factor σ
S
Protects against both Intracellular and Extracytoplasmic Stresses in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Miller Halie K. , Carroll Ronan K. , Burda Whittney N. , Krute Christina N. , Davenport Jessica E. , Shaw Lindsey N. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Previously we identified a novel component of the
Staphylococcus aureus
regulatory network, an
e
xtra
c
ytoplasmic
f
unction σ-factor, σ
S
, involved in stress response and disease causation. Here we present additional characterization of σ
S
, demonstrating a role for it in protection against DNA damage, cell wall disruption, and interaction with components of the innate immune system. Promoter mapping reveals the existence of three unique
sigS
start sites, one of which appears to be subject to autoregulation. Transcriptional profiling revealed that
sigS
expression remains low in a number of
S. aureus
wild types but is upregulated in the highly mutated strain RN4220. Further analysis demonstrates that
sigS
expression is inducible upon exposure to a variety of chemical stressors that elicit DNA damage, including methyl methanesulfonate and ciprofloxacin, as well as those that disrupt cell wall stability, such as ampicillin and oxacillin. Significantly, expression of
sigS
is highly induced during growth in serum and upon phagocytosis by RAW 264.7 murine macrophage-like cells. Phenotypically, σ
S
mutants display sensitivity to a broad range of DNA-damaging agents and cell wall-targeting antibiotics. Furthermore, the survivability of σ
S
mutants is strongly impacted during challenge by components of the innate immune system. Collectively, our data suggest that σ
S
likely serves dual functions within the
S. aureus
cell, protecting against both cytoplasmic and extracytoplasmic stresses. This further argues for its important, and perhaps novel, role in the
S. aureus
stress and virulence responses.
Synthesis of Lipoteichoic Acids in Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Garufi Gabriella , Hendrickx Antoni P. , Beeri Karen , Kern Justin W. , Sharma Anshika , Richter Stefan G. , Schneewind Olaf , Missiakas Dominique 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a glycerol phosphate polymer, is a component of the envelope of Gram-positive bacteria that has hitherto not been identified in
Bacillus anthracis
, the causative agent of anthrax. LTA synthesis in
Staphylococcus aureus
and other microbes is catalyzed by the product of the
ltaS
gene, a membrane protein that polymerizes polyglycerol phosphate from phosphatidyl glycerol. Here we identified four
ltaS
homologues, designated
ltaS1
to -
4
, in the genome of
Bacillus anthracis
. Polyglycerol phosphate-specific monoclonal antibodies were used to detect LTA in the envelope of
B. anthracis
strain Sterne (pXO1
+
pXO2
−
) vegetative forms.
B. anthracis
mutants lacking
ltaS1
,
ltaS2
,
ltaS3
, or
ltaS4
did not display defects in growth or LTA synthesis. In contrast,
B. anthracis
strains lacking both
ltaS1
and
ltaS2
were unable to synthesize LTA and exhibited reduced viability, altered envelope morphology, aberrant separation of vegetative forms, and decreased sporulation efficiency. Expression of
ltaS1
or
ltaS2
alone in
B. anthracis
as well as in other microbes was sufficient for polyglycerol phosphate synthesis. Thus, similar to
S. aureus
,
B. anthracis
employs LtaS enzymes to synthesize LTA, an envelope component that promotes bacterial growth and cell division.
Serum (1→3)-β-
d
-Glucan Measurement in Coccidioidomycosis
Authors: Thompson George R. , Bays Derek J. , Johnson Suzanne M. , Cohen Stuart H. , Pappagianis Demosthenes , Finkelman Malcolm A. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

The serum (1→3)-β-
d
-glucan assay has emerged as an important diagnostic test for invasive fungal disease. The utility of this assay in coccidioidomycosis has not been previously studied. Using a cutoff value of ≥80 pg/ml, we found the sensitivity (43.9%), specificity (91.1%), positive predictive value (81.8%), and negative predictive value (64.1%) to be similar to those of the assay in diagnosing other invasive mycoses.
From Quellung to Multiplex PCR, and Back When Needed, in Pneumococcal Serotyping
Authors: Siira Lotta , Kaijalainen Tarja , Lambertsen Lotte , Nahm Moon H. , Toropainen Maija , Virolainen Anni 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

All currently available vaccines against
Streptococcus pneumoniae
are based on selections of the over 90 different serotypes, which underlines the importance of serotyping for surveillance and vaccine efficacy monitoring. In this study, we modified and validated a PCR-based scheme for deducing the serotypes of the invasive pneumococci isolated in Finland. For validation, 170 isolates were serotyped using the new protocol with six sequential multiplex PCRs for the deduction of serotypes, supplemented with Quellung testing when needed. The results were compared with those obtained by traditional serotyping methods. We found that 98.8% (168/170) of the isolates were correctly serotyped by the new protocol. Subsequently, the scheme was taken into regular use for serotyping the invasive pneumococci isolated in Finland for serotype-specific surveillance purposes and has been applied in the serotyping of more than 1,500 invasive isolates so far. The sequential multiplex PCRs (mPCRs) have given a result for over 99% of the isolates and allowed us to both handle samples in bulk and noticeably reduce the cost of reagents. While serotyping primarily by PCR is precise and effective, Quellung testing remains the most reliable way to discover possible discrepancies between the DNA deduced and the phenotypic serotype of an isolate. Since implementing the protocol for regular use, two serotype 19F PCR-positive isolates were found to be serotype 19A by the Quellung reaction. While a rare occurrence, this is an important observation, which prompted a revision of our serotyping protocol to prevent possible underreporting of serotype 19A, a potential replacement serotype following large-scale vaccination.
Francisella novicida Bacteremia after a Near-Drowning Accident
Authors: Brett Meghan , Doppalapudi Avanthi , Respicio-Kingry Laurel B. , Myers Debra , Husband Brigitte , Pollard Kerry , Mead Paul , Petersen Jeannine M. , Whitener Cynthia J. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

We describe a rare case of
Francisella novicida
bacteremia following a near-drowning event in seawater. We highlight the challenges associated with laboratory identification of
F. novicida
and differences in the epidemiology of
F. novicida
and
Francisella tularensis
infections.
Is Real-Time PCR Better than Conventional PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Detection in Clinical Samples?
Authors: Tortoli Enrico , Urbano Pasquale , Marcelli Fiorella , Simonetti Tullia M. , Cirillo Daniela M. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT
Cobas Amplicor MTB and later Cobas TaqMan MTB were used to test a very large series of consecutive specimens received for tuberculosis diagnosis. Performance parameters were estimated and compared overall and for separate specimen categories. Both systems showed excellent specificity, and that of TaqMan was the higher. The sensitivities were similar but satisfactory only with respiratory specimens and smear-positive samples.