bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Established ways to keep donor’s interest alive
Authors: Ringwald J. 
Published: June 2010

Background  The future demographic changes will be associated with an enhancement of the worldwide shortage of blood. The ageing of the population in developed countries is associated with a decrease in young individuals being potentially eligible to donate blood and an increase in older individuals who might be in the need of blood transfusion. Therefore, the retention of active blood donors (BD) is becoming more important. A substantial increase in blood donations could be achieved by a relatively small increase in BD return. It is the task of blood donation services (BDSs) to elaborate specific and adequate measures to increase the BD’s likelihood to return. Successful BD retention programmes are viable to ensure a sufficient supply with blood and blood components at present and the upcoming years.Aims  To give recommendations for BD retention strategies based on a survey of potential and established measures how BD’s interest could be kept alive.Methods  With focus on the last decade, literature about internal and external influences on BD’s intention to regular blood donation and their actual return behaviour was reviewed. Furthermore, a special aspect was drawn on published articles about established or potential measures to increase BD’s return‐rate. Based on this information, different ways how BD’s interest could be kept alive were suggested.Results  Overall, individuals of younger age (< 30–40 years), women, those with a lower education level are less likely to return to blood donation. External influences of friends, family or co‐workers are import for starting a BD career. To become a committed BD, however, a high level of intrinsic motivation is needed. To keep BD’s interest alive for a long time, BDSs should focus on the following to increase the satisfaction of the BD: Make blood donation a good experience and as convenient as possible, reduce adverse events and anxiety, and train and motivate your staff. This could be further supported by an intensive and active communication with the BDs right from the start, the application of loyalty builders to establish BD identity, and the appropriate use of incentives. Finally, temporarily deferred BDs should ask to return personally and advertisement programmes for repeat BDs should appeal on personal motivation and moral norms. However, BDS should always try to adapt their measures on their target population considering that people are different all around the world. Moreover, some promotion programmes should be even tailored for distinct subgroups of BDs to have a successful outcome.Conclusions  There is quite a number of ways to keep BDs interest alive and to start a career as a regular and committed BD. In this context, the self‐identification as a BD is definitely of major importance. BDSs are challenged to support this developmental process. They have to make sure that blood donation is associated with a good experience for the BD, making him or her feeling good and happy.
Prenatal rhesus testing
Authors: Legler T. J. 
Published: June 2010

Background  Prenatal rhesus testing is currently not well standardized. The clinical guidelines and technologies differ between countries and regions.Aims  To facilitate implementation of non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis of the foetal Rh type (NIPD of Rh) from cell free foetal DNA in maternal plasma. To propel the implementation of targeted administration of anti‐D immunoglobulin only to those women who carry a D‐positive foetus.Materials and Methods  A review of the English literature was performed.Results  For foetal DNA extraction a variety of detailed protocols have been published which allow the prediction of the foetal Rh phenotype with an accuracy of above 99%. There are manual as well as automated systems on the market. Several thousand D‐negative women have been tested in clinical trials for the foetal D status with real‐time PCR. Primers and probes have been designed to be applicable in multi‐ethnic populations despite the complex genetic background of the Rh blood group system. A control for foetal DNA has been published in some papers in order to provide an in‐process control for cases where the foetus is D (C, c or E) negative.Discussion  The scientific community reached a high level of accuracy which allows NIPD of Rh on a large scale.Conclusion  NIPD of Rh is now available for all alloimmunized women. In most countries health politicians need to change guidelines now before targeted administration of anti‐D immunoglobulin can be offered by obstetricians.
When do I (not) release cellular products?
Authors: Humpe A. , Buwitt‐Beckmann U. , Gramatzki M. 
Published: June 2010

Harvest, production, storage and release of cellular products are regulated by international guidelines like the EU guidelines 2004/23/EC or 2006/17/EC. In addition, worldwide effective guidelines exist with the FACT‐JACIE standards. As cellular products such as haematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) are usually applied to critically ill patients requirements for release must be well defined and high.The determination of criteria for release requires a prior definition of specifications of parameters for the product. Such specifications and the question of product release with parameters out of specification will be addressed here exemplarily for autologous and allogeneic HPC grafts.The harvest of cellular products must be preceded by an examination of the healthy donor or in case of an autologous transplantation of the patient. Apart from the medical history and the clinical condition of the donor, results of the testing of infectious disease markers (IDM) (HCV, HBV, HIV1,2 and syphilis at the minimum) are decisive for the judgment on the donor’s eligibility for donation. In case of an autologous donor, even positive test results for the IDM do not necessarily exclude a donation. After harvest and processing of the cellular product, the processing records must be complete and parameters like the content of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, i.e. CD34+ cells for HPC grafts, the content of possible cellular contaminants such as CD3+ cells in the allogeneic setting or tumour cells in the autologous setting, are relevant and need to be specified. For CD34+ cells, a minimum amount of 2 × 106 cells/kg of body weight for autologous or 4 × 106 cells/kg of body weight for allogeneic grafts is required. This may sometimes only be achieved by more than one harvest. Regarding CD34+ cells, the quality of the cells defined by viability and optional by analysis of clonogenic growth has to be evaluated. Such parameters need to be measured especially after manipulations such as cryopreservation or selection or depletion procedures. In addition, microbial contaminations, i.e. potential contaminations by aerobe or anaerobe bacteria or fungi for HPC products, have to be detected. Cellular grafts undergoing incubation steps need to be examined for contaminations by mycoplasma or viruses in addition. Furthermore, incubation or activation steps of cellular products require examinations regarding functionality, genomic stability and potential malignant transformation of the cultivated cells.The final decision to release a cellular product in case of parameters being out of the specifications should be guided by the consideration that benefits outweigh potential risks for the recipient when administering the product. Furthermore, the type of the product, HPC or other product like donor lymphocyte infusions, and its importance in a given medical situation of the patient, the documented urgent medical need, will influence the decision of release.
Natural killer cells: alloreactive effects in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Hsu K. C. 
Published: June 2010

Background and Objectives  Natural Killer (NK) cells are capable of recognizing target cells altered by pathologic states such as viral infection and malignant transformation. The NK cell’s capacity to recognize and kill abnormal cells while sparing normal cells relies on the integration of activating signals and tolerance to cells expressing self‐MHC molecules. Our understanding of how NK receptors mediate these signals and control NK cell function has advanced to the point where models of NK biology can be tested and revised in the clinical setting of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.Materials and Methods  This review article highlights several of the seminal contributions to the field of NK biology and their relevance to allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation.Results and Conclusions  Inhibitory NK receptors are critical for achieving tolerance to cells expressing self‐MHC molecules and recognizing target cells lacking self‐MHC class I molecules. Activating NK receptors can circumvent NK tolerance and directly signal activation. Both inhibitory and activating receptors play an important role in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation outcome for hematologic and solid tumors. Incorporation of NK receptor genotyping in donor selection algorithms may benefit recipients of both HLA‐matched and ‐mismatched allografts.
Pathogen inactivation/reduction of platelet concentrates: turning theory into practice
Authors: Gathof B. S. , Tauszig M. E. , Picker S. M. 
Published: June 2010

Background  Pathogen reduction technology (PRT) has been proven to reduce the residual risk of transmission of infectious agents. Reduction of various contaminating bacteriae, viruses and parasites by few to several log steps and efficiency to prevent GVHD has been shown.Aim  To evaluate and compare advantages and disadvantages of PRT available for practical application in platelets.Materials and Methods  PRT for the treatment of platelets is currently offered by two formats: Amotosalen (INTERCEPT, Cerus, Concord, CA, USA) and vitamin B2 (Mirasol, Caridian, Denver, USA). Results from different studies and our own experiences with the two techniques are compared and discussed.Results and Discussion  For both technologies, different groups of investigators have shown acceptable in‐vitro results with respect to functional and storage data for platelets stored for up to 5 days after production and before transfusion. Initial clinical studies showed no inferiority of the treated platelets in comparison to untreated controls in thrombocytopenic patients. However for both techniques a tendency towards lower CCI has been reported, which may be more pronounced in the platelets treated with the Intercept process. For introduction of PRT many countries require not only CE mark but licensing with the respective authorities since treatment for pathogen reduction is regarded as creating a ‘new’ blood product. With respect to a platelet loss during pathogen reduction it seems recommendable to increase the lower limit of platelet content of the product to 2.5 × 1011. Particularly for the Intercept system, where a considerable amount of platelets is lost in the purification of the product from Amotosalen, a change in the production process to increase the platelet yield may be necessary. Data from our group show a tendency for improved functional and storage parameters for platelets treated with the Mirasol process. Compared to conventional manufacturing of platelets by apheresis or pooling of buffy coats, pathogen reduction requires additional labour, space, and quality control. Shelf life of platelets is limited in most countries because of the risk of bacterial contamination (in Germany presently to 4 days). A prolongation to 5 or more days after pathogen reduction seems feasible but remains a topic for future studies.Conclusion  Results of in vitro and clinical studies of pathogen reduced platelets are promising. Larger clinical trials will help to determine whether PRT proves to be beneficial (reduction of transmission of infections, less alloimmunisation) and overall cost effective (bearing in mind that additional costs may be compensated for by omission of gamma irradiation and potential longer shelf life).
Do I assist or supervise? Achievements of quality management implementation
Authors: Slopecki A. 
Published: June 2010

Background and Objective To answer the question ‘Do I assist or supervise? Achievements of quality management implementation’ I illustrate how a Quality Management System used by a blood establishment can be derived based on simple common sense and is essentially there to control peoples actions to work consistently and safely.Materials and Methods I briefly review the key principles in EU GMP to illustrate the importance of quality and people management and draw from events in my experience which have provided significant learning opportunities for my organisation.Results The learning opportunities illustrate the importance of having real time data on which to base actions allowing you to work with suppliers to improve their products and your systems. That corrective and preventative action must be confirmed as effective. The systems you use need to be simple and effective and adhere to the principle of GMP. External inspectors are a valuable source of bench marking data which you can use to improve.Conclusion If a quality management system is working effectively then as a Quality profession I would assist, however if the effectiveness of the system drifts or individuals/departments fail to play their part I reserve the right to supervise.
Relevance of parasite infections outside South and Central America: Chagas disease and malaria
Authors: Piron M. 
Published: June 2010

The constant increase of population movements related to emigration, business or tourism, leads to the spread of infections until now restricted to endemic areas.In the case of Central and South Americas, Chagas disease has become a matter of concern during the last decade in countries which receive Latino American immigrants. This disease is caused by a protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted in endemic areas predominantly by a Triatomine vector. The probable routes of infection in non‐endemic countries, where the vector is non‐existent, are therefore blood transfusion, organ transplantation and vertical transmission. In Europe, Spain is the country that receives most part of immigrants proceeding from Central and South Americas. In Spanish blood banks, anti‐T. cruzi screening is mandatory since September 2005 in donors at‐risk for Chagas disease. From this date, this new selective screening allowed to identify 110 infected blood donors in the Catalonian Blood Bank. A large part of positive donors was from Bolivia, country with the highest seroprevalence of infection. Other positive donors were from Argentina, Paraguay, Ecuador etc., but also from Spain (mother born in endemic area, or donor born in endemic area or who had resided in endemic area). At the same time, look‐back procedures were initiated in those donors who had donated before and whose blood products had been transfused. Screening for T. cruzi infection is generally selective, only done in at‐risk donors, although the USA blood banks perform a universal screening since 2007. The selective screening strategy is finally discussed.Besides Chagas disease, malaria is also a parasitic infection caused by Plasmodium and transmitted by the bite of Anopheles mosquito in endemic areas. Two of the five Plasmodium species, P. falciparum and P. vivax, are most often found in Central and South Americas. Cases of transfusion‐transmitted malaria are mostly associated to P. falciparum, although cases of transmission of P. malariae, vivax or ovale have also been described. The growing number of donors who travel to malaria endemic areas, or who were born in an endemic region increases the probability to fail to identify an at‐risk donor and to transfuse a contaminated blood component. In non‐endemic countries, the measures taken to prevent malaria transmission by transfusion generally consist in deferral of at‐risk donors, based on questionnaire reporting travels to or residence in malaria areas. Some blood bank use a screening test to detect anti‐Plasmodium antibodies, but have then to face the problem of confirmation of an initially reactive result and of donor’s counselling. To opt for a screening or for a deferral strategy could depend once again on the epidemiological profile of blood donors.
Oral Vaccine Formulations Stimulate Mucosal and Systemic Antibody Responses against Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B in a Piglet Model
Authors: Inskeep Tiffany K. , Stahl Chad , Odle Jack , Oakes Judy , Hudson Laura , Bost Kenneth L. , Piller Kenneth J. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Despite the potential for its use as an agent of biowarfare or bioterrorism, no approved vaccine against staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) exists. Nontoxic, mutant forms of SEB have been developed; however, it has been difficult to determine the efficacy of such subunit vaccine candidates due to the lack of superantigen activity of native SEB in rodents and due to the limitations of primate models. Since pigs respond to SEB in a manner similar to that of human subjects, we utilized this relevant animal model to investigate the safety and immunogenicity of a triple mutant of SEB carrying the amino acid changes L45R, Y89A, and Y94A. This recombinant mutant SEB (rmSEB) did not possess superantigen activity in pig lymphocyte cultures. Furthermore, rmSEB was unable to compete with native SEB for binding to pig leukocytes. These
in vitro
studies suggested that rmSEB could be a safe subunit vaccine. To test this possibility, piglets immunized orally with rmSEB formulations experienced no significant decrease in food consumption and no weight loss during the vaccination regimen. Oral vaccination with 1-mg doses of rmSEB on days 0, 7, 14, and 24 resulted in serum IgG and fecal IgA levels by day 36 that cross-reacted with native SEB. Surprisingly, the inclusion of cholera toxin adjuvant in vaccine formulations containing rmSEB did not result in increased antibody responses compared to formulations using the immunogen alone. Taken together, these studies provide additional evidence for the potential use of nontoxic forms of SEB as vaccines.
Evaluation of Colorimetric Methods Using Nicotinamide for Rapid Detection of Pyrazinamide Resistance in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Mirabal Niuris C. , Yzquierdo Sergio L. , Lemus Dihadenys , Madruga Mariela , Milián Yoslaine , Echemendía Miguel , Takiff Howard , Martin Anandi , Van der Stuyf Patrick , Palomino Juan Carlos , Montoro Ernesto 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

The direct detection of pyrazinamide resistance in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is sufficiently difficult that many laboratories do not attempt it. Most pyrazinamide resistance is caused by mutations that inactivate the pyrazinamidase enzyme needed to convert the prodrug pyrazinamide to its active form. We evaluated two newer and simpler methods to assess pyrazinamidase activity, the nitrate reductase and malachite green microtube assays, using nicotinamide in place of pyrazinamide. A total of 102 strains were tested by these methods and the results compared with those obtained by the classic Wayne assay. Mutations in the
pnc
A
gene were identified by sequencing the
pnc
A
genes from all isolates in which pyrazinamide resistance was detected by any of the three methods. Both the nitrate reductase and malachite green microtube assays showed sensitivities of 93.75% and specificities of 97.67%. Mutations in the
pnc
A
gene were found in 14 of 16 strains that were pyrazinamide resistant and in 1 of 4 strains that were sensitive by the Wayne assay. Both of these simple methods, used with nicotinamide, are promising and inexpensive alternatives for the rapid detection of pyrazinamide resistance in limited-resource countries.
Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis of the Swine Dysentery Pathogen,
Brachyspira hyodysenteriae
Authors: Hidalgo Álvaro , Carvajal Ana , La Tom , Naharro Germán , Rubio Pedro , Phillips Nyree D. , Hampson David J. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

The spirochete
Brachyspira hyodysenteriae
is the causative agent of swine dysentery, a severe colonic infection of pigs that has a considerable economic impact in many swine-producing countries. In spite of its importance, knowledge about the global epidemiology and population structure of
B. hyodysenteriae
is limited. Progress in this area has been hampered by the lack of a low-cost, portable, and discriminatory method for strain typing. The aim of the current study was to develop and test a multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) method that could be used in basic veterinary diagnostic microbiology laboratories equipped with PCR technology or in more advanced laboratories with access to capillary electrophoresis. Based on eight loci, and when performed on isolates from different farms in different countries, as well as type and reference strains, the MLVA technique developed was highly discriminatory (Hunter and Gaston discriminatory index, 0.938 [95% confidence interval, 0.9175 to 0.9584]) while retaining a high phylogenetic value. Using the technique, the species was shown to be diverse (44 MLVA types from 172 isolates and strains), although isolates were stable in herds over time. The population structure appeared to be clonal. The finding of
B. hyodysenteriae
MLVA type 3 in piggeries in three European countries, as well as other, related, strains in different countries, suggests that spreading of the pathogen via carrier pigs is likely. MLVA overcame drawbacks associated with previous typing techniques for
B. hyodysenteriae
and was a powerful method for epidemiologic and population structure studies on this important pathogenic spirochete.
Epidemiological and Phylogenetic Analysis of Spanish HumanBrucella melitensisStrains by Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Typing, Hypervariable Octameric Oligonucleotide Fingerprinting, andrpoBTyping
Authors: Valdezate Sylvia , Navarro Ana , Villalón Pilar , Carrasco Gema , Saéz-Nieto Juan A. 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTThe severe morbidity of human brucellosis is one of the main reasons for using molecular typing in the epidemiological surveillance of this worldwide zoonosis. Multiple-locus variable-number repeat analysis (MLVA-16), hypervariable octameric oligonucleotide fingerprinting (HOOF-print), and the differences in the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (codons 1249 and 1309) of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase β subunit (rpoB) were used to type a humanBrucella melitensispopulation (108 strains) collected from throughout Spain over 13 years. Eighty-six MLVA types (discriminatory index, 0.99) were detected, with a wide-ranging genetic similarity coefficient (37.2 to 93.7%). The population clustered into the following groups: American, with genotypes 47 (1 strain), 48 (13 strains), 53 (12 strains), 55 (2 strains), 80 (1 strain), and a new genotype (2 strains), Western Mediterranean, with genotype 51 (9 strains), and Eastern Mediterranean, with genotypes 42 (60 strains), 43 (4 strains), and 63 (4 strains). Two profession-related and two foodborne acquisitions were confirmed. Distributed throughout Spain, Eastern Mediterranean genotype 42 was the most common (55%). The low MLVA-16 allelic polymorphism (genetic similarity range, 75 to 94%) of the genotype 42 strains suggests that they recently evolved from a common ancestor.rpoBtyping grouped the strains asrpoBtype 1 (1249-ATG/1309-CTG; 28.7%),rpoBtype 2 (1249-ATG/1309-CTA; 62.9%), andrpoBtype 3 (1249-ATA/1309-CTG; 8.3%). According to the MLVA-16 results, the population clustered byrpoBtype. Given the correlation betweenB. melitensisMLVA groups andrpoBtypes (American andrpoBtype 1, Eastern Mediterranean andrpoBtype 2, and Western Mediterranean andrpoBtype 3), therpoBtype could be used as an initial marker for the epidemiological surveillance of brucellosis.