bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new strategy to improve the cost‐effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and syphilis testing of blood donations in sub‐Saharan Africa: a pilot study in Burkina Faso
Authors: Kania Dramane , Sangaré Lassana , Sakandé Jean , Koanda Abdoulaye , Nébié Yacouba Kompingnin , Zerbo Oumarou , Combasséré Alain Wilfried , Guissou Innocent Pierre , Rouet François 
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: In Africa where blood‐borne agents are highly prevalent, cheaper and feasible alternative strategies for blood donations testing are specifically required.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: From May to August 2002, 500 blood donations from Burkina Faso were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) according to two distinct strategies. The first strategy was a conventional simultaneous screening of these four blood‐borne infectious agents on each blood donation by using single‐marker assays. The second strategy was a sequential screening starting by HBsAg. HBsAg‐nonreactive blood donations were then further tested for HIV. If nonreactive, they were further tested for syphilis. If nonreactive, they were finally assessed for HCV antibodies. The accuracy and cost‐effectiveness of the two strategies were compared.RESULTS: By using the simultaneous strategy, the seroprevalences of HBsAg, HIV, syphilis, and HCV among blood donors in Ouagadougou were estimated to be 19.2, 9.8, 1.6, and 5.2%. No significant difference of HIV, syphilis, and HCV prevalence rates was observed by using the sequential strategy (9.2, 1.9, and 4.7%, respectively). Whatever the strategy used, 157 blood donations (31.4%) were found to be reactive for at least one transfusion‐transmissible agent and were thus discarded. The sequential strategy allowed a cost decrease of €908.6, compared to the simultaneous strategy. Given that approximately there are 50,000 blood donations annually in Burkina Faso, the money savings reached potentially €90,860.CONCLUSIONS: In resource‐limited settings, the implementation of a sequential strategy appears as a pragmatic solution to promote safe blood supply and ensure sustainability of the system.
Age‐related donor return patterns among first‐time blood donors in the United States
Authors: Notari IV Edward P. , Zou Shimian , Fang Chyang T. , Eder Anne F. , Benjamin Richard J. , Dodd Roger Y. 
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: Committed repeat donors are vital to the continued success of blood collections, yet the effect of age of first‐time (FT) donation on return behavior is poorly described. Sixteen‐year‐old donors are increasingly allowed to donate and have the highest rates of adverse events, which negatively impacts return behavior.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Annual cohorts of allogeneic FT donors from 2005 and 2006 were selected within the American Red Cross system and followed for 25 and 13 months, respectively. Return and total yield rates among different age groups were compared.RESULTS: A total of 2.3 million FT donors from 2005 and 2006 gave 4.2 million donations during the study. Sixteen‐ to 19‐year old FT donors made up 41% of the FT donor base in 2005 and 16‐, 17‐, 18‐, and 19‐year‐olds, respectively, had initial return rates of 62, 52, 35, and 28% and yield rates of 2.0, 1.76, 1.51, and 1.41 over 13 months. Multivariate analysis of FT yield rates shows that younger (16 and 17 years) and older (50+ years) donors, males, blood group O donors, and those without any initial adverse reaction are most likely to return. Increasing severity of donor adverse reactions correlated with a reduction in yield and return rates.CONCLUSION: FT 16‐year‐old donors had the highest return and yield rates despite the negative impact of increased adverse event rates. Donation at young age is critical to building a cadre of committed repeat donors but donor reactions must be addressed to ensure the donors' well‐being and to sustain return behavior.
Mini buffy coat photopheresis for children and critically ill patients with extracorporeal photopheresis contraindications
Authors: Hackstein Holger , Misterek Joachim , Nockher Angelika , Reiter Alfred , Bein Gregor , Woessmann Willi 
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: Conventional extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has proven efficacy for the treatment of several diseases but is limited to patients with sufficient body weight. A novel simplified mini buffy coat ECP technique that allows treatment of small children and patients with apheresis contraindications has been developed.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: White blood cell (WBC)‐rich buffy coat fractions were prepared from 5 to 8 mL/kg whole blood in a closed system, diluted, and ultraviolet A (UVA)‐irradiated after addition of 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP). Apoptosis and cell death were analyzed by annexin V and 7‐aminoactinomycin staining. Lymphocyte proliferation was measured after CD3/CD28 and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation. Autologous residual blood and UVA‐irradiated buffy coat were returned to the patients. Fifty‐six mini buffy coat ECP procedures were applied to three children with acute steroid‐refractory skin graft‐versus‐host disease and apheresis contraindications.RESULTS: Mean whole blood and buffy coat volumes were 166 (±61.8) and 8 (±1.6) mL, respectively, and resulted in a hematocrit of 2.2% (±0.4) after saline dilution (median ± SD). UVA irradiation of 8‐MOP buffy coat preparations resulted in significant induction of WBC apoptosis at 48‐72 hours (p ≤ 0.006). WBC proliferation was significantly inhibited both after CD3/CD28 stimulation and after PHA stimulation when compared to controls (p ≤ 0.001). No clinical or laboratory side effects were observed during mini ECP procedures and the three patients responded to the therapy.CONCLUSION: Mini buffy coat ECP induces apoptosis and lymphocyte proliferation inhibition, both of which occur after standard ECP. This study proposes that mini buffy coat ECP be used as a simple and inexpensive alternative to classical ECP in children and adult patients with apheresis contraindications.
Risk for malaria in United States donors deferred for travel to malaria‐endemic areas
Authors: Spencer Bryan , Steele Whitney , Custer Brian , Kleinman Steven , Cable Ritchard , Wilkinson Susan , Wright David 
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: Deferral for travel to malaria‐endemic areas excludes many blood donors in the United States. Most transfusion‐transmitted malaria is associated with lengthy residence in malaria‐endemic areas rather than routine travel. This study compares the impact of existing deferral requirements to the risk that a presenting donor with malaria travel history harbors malaria parasites under current and hypothetical alternate regulations.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Deferred donors from six blood centers were sampled to estimate a national cohort of donors deferred annually for malaria travel to different geographic regions. Risk for malaria infection after travel to each region and distribution of incubation periods for each malaria species were estimated for US travelers. Region‐specific travel risks were used to estimate the risk that a presenting blood donor with malaria travel might asymptomatically harbor malaria parasites at different intervals after return to the United States.RESULTS: Travel to Africa presents risk for malaria infection greater than 1000 times that of travel to malaria‐endemic parts of Mexico, yet Mexico accounts for more than 10 times as many deferred donors. Shortening the deferral period from 12 to 3 months for travelers to Mexico increases the risk of collecting a contaminated unit by only 1 unit per 57 years (sensitivity analysis, 1 every 29‐114 years), at annual gain of more than 56,000 donations.CONCLUSION: This study provides the first systematic appraisal of the US requirements for donor qualification regarding travel to malarial areas. Consideration should be given to relaxing the guidelines for travel to very‐low‐risk areas such as Mexico.
Preoperative autologous blood donation versus intraoperative blood salvage: intraindividual analyses and modeling of efficacy in 1103 patients
Authors: Singbartl Guenter , Schreiber Joerg , Singbartl Kai 
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: Preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) and intraoperative blood salvage (IBS) represent established blood conservation measures. However, data comparing PABD to IBS are very sparse.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed data from 1103 patients undergoing PABD and subsequent major orthopedic surgery in one center. We then used a validated model to compare PABD to IBS. We calculated maximal allowable blood losses (MABLs) for both IBS and PABD. We also identified criteria for efficacious use of either PABD or IBS. Our calculations were based on exclusive application of either technique, complete exhaustion of predeposited or salvaged blood, and one round of IBS.RESULTS: The vast majority of patients would have tolerated greater MABLs if subjected to IBS rather than PABD (425 of 432 with 1 PABD unit, 580 of 664 patients with 2 PABD units, 3 of 7 patients with 3 PABD units). For a few patients, however, our model demonstrated greater MABL with PABD than with IBS. These patients were characterized by 1) lower initial hematocrit (Hct), 2) recovery from PABD with return to baseline Hct or above by the time of surgery, and 3) longer time between first PABD and surgery.CONCLUSION: IBS appears to be the superior blood conservation technique if PABD cannot be performed under optimal conditions. Tolerable predonation anemia and sufficient time for regeneration appear to be crucial for post‐PABD erythropoiesis. If these goals cannot be accomplished, PABD should be abandoned and be replaced by IBS.
Estimation of sensitivity and specificity of several Trypanosoma cruzi antibody assays in blood donors in Argentina
Authors: Remesar Mirta C. , Gamba Cecilia , Colaianni Ivana F. , Puppo Mónica , Sartor Paula A. , Murphy Edward L. , Neilands Torsten B. , Ridolfi María A. , Leguizamón M. Susana , Kuperman Silvina , Del Pozo Ana E. 
Published: July 2009

BACKGROUND: The absence of a gold standard test for Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies represents a problem not only for the evaluation of screening tests, but also for appropriate blood donor counseling. The aim of this study was to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of multiple blood donor screening tests for T. cruzi antibodies in Argentina.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: From June 2006 to March 2007 a sample of 1455 blood donors was recruited from two blood banks in Chaco province, an area of Argentina with highly endemic T. cruzi infection. Samples were tested by three epimastigote lysate enzyme immunoassays (EIAs), one recombinant antigen EIA, two indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) tests, a particle agglutination assay (PA), and a research trans‐sialidase inhibition assay (TIA). Sensitivity and specificity were estimated using latent class analysis (LCA).RESULTS: LCA estimated the consensus prevalence of T. cruzi infection at 24.5%. Interassay correlation was higher among the four EIA tests and TIA compared to IHA tests. Assay sensitivities varied from 96 to 99.7 for different EIAs, 91% for TIA, 84% for PA, and 66 to 74% for IHA tests. Relative to the LCA, assay specificities were from 96% to almost 100%.CONCLUSION: Based on the comparison of several tests in a large population from an endemic area for T. cruzi infection, our data showed an adequate sensitivity for EIA tests in contrast to PA and IHA assays. The latter tests should no longer be used for blood donor screening.
Financial Regulation in the United States: Lessons from History
Authors: Peretz Paul , Schroedel Jean Reith 
Published: July 2009

History is institutional memory writ large. One looks at economic history to see what problems recur, what causes them to recur, what solutions have worked best in the past, and which interventions have made the problems worse. The authors argue that a moderately complex interaction between the workings of the financial sector, the way in which the political system is organized, and the administration of regulation makes perfect regulation of the financial sector extremely unlikely. Many of these problems arise as a result of conflicting incentives for those participating in and regulating the financial field. The authors find that some proposed solutions have improved matters but have costs, and that some proposed solutions have actually worsened problems in the financial sector.
Peoples and governments never have learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it. —Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, 1837
State of Change: Global Turmoil and Government Reinvention
Authors: Datz Giselle 
Published: July 2009

The current global credit crisis is unfolding in a context in which new dynamics in the engagement of the public sector and the market are taking shape. This article explores some of these dynamics, especially the reemergence of (re)nationalization initiatives, as well as the growing use of private methodologies for asset management on the part of some governments, which behave as both financial market players and domestic economic stabilizers. Hence, the article discusses the return of the state as a traditional “public leviathan” involved in financial regulation, as well as the work of sovereign wealth funds. The author concludes that at the heart of capitalism's endurance lies this diversity of public responses, which ultimately reveal governments' adaptable agendas and heterogeneous tasks.
I think that capitalism, wisely managed, can probably be made more efficient for attaining economic ends than any alternative system yet in sight, but that in itself it is in many ways extremely objectionable. Our problem is to work out a social organisation which shall be as efficient as possible without offending our notions of a satisfactory way of life. —John Maynard Keynes, The End of Laissez‐Faire, 1926 The all‐powerful market which is always right is finished.…We have to have a new balance between the state and the market. —French president Nicolas Sarkozy, 2008
The Impact of Large Changes in Asset Prices on Intra‐Market Correlations in the Domestic and International Markets
Authors: Ronn Ehud I. , Sayrak Akin , Tompaidis Stathis 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWe consider the impact of “large” changes in asset prices on intra‐market correlations in domestic and international markets. Assuming normally distributed asset returns, we show that the absolute magnitude of the correlation, conditional on a change is greater than or equal to a given absolute size of one of the variables, is monotonically increasing in the magnitude of that absolute change. Empirical tests using domestic and international‐market data support this theoretical result. These results have significant implications for portfolio management, hedging interest rate risk, tests of asset pricing models, Roll's concern with asset pricing models' explanatory power, and implementation of Value‐at‐Risk.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: TOWBIN JEFFREY A. 
Published: July 2009

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is one of the most common inherited cardiac disorders, with a prevalence in young adults of one in 500 and is defined by its wall thickening.
Methods: This chapter of the supplement will present major clinical impacts of this disorder in its predilection to be inherited; its reputation as the most common cause of sudden death in young, healthy, athletic individuals; and its potential to develop heart failure due to either diastolic or systolic dysfunction, so‐called “burned out” HCM. Underlying etiologies; diversity of morphologic, functional, and clinical features; and variable age of onset that differentiate the childhood from the adult form of disease will be discussed based on the literature and clinical experience.
Results: In children less than 1 year of age, hypertrophy associated with systolic dysfunction is common. In contradistinction, among apparently healthy young adults, the prevalence of echcocardiographically defined HCM was reported to be as high as 0.2% and associated with diastolic dysfunction. In addition, overlaping disorders such as infiltrative and energy‐dependent forms of HCM coexist with other atypical features in childhood, further confounding the presentations, treatments, and outcomes compared to adult disease.
Conclusion: HCM in childhood has a variety of etiologies which may influence diagnostic testing, treatments, and outcomes.
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator‐Related Complications in the Pediatric Population
Authors: SHAH MAULLY J. 
Published: July 2009

Background: The recognition that implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) therapy in children can prolong life coupled with the development of smaller devices and transvenous lead technology has increased the number of ICDs implanted in children and young adults.
Methods: ICD complications in the pediatric population are reviewed.
Results: ICD complications in the pediatric population include those related to the implantation procedure, the ICD system, as well as psychosocial issues. Inappropriate ICD therapy and ICD lead failures are the most frequent complications.
Conclusion: Identifying complications is the prerequisite for advances in ICD technology and effective management strategies need to be developed to avoid their recurrence.
State of Postmortem Genetic Testing Known as the Cardiac Channel Molecular Autopsy in the Forensic Evaluation of Unexplained Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young
Authors: Ackerman Michael J. 
Published: July 2009

Background: Thousands of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults die sudden and unexpectedly each year in the United States. A significant proportion are autopsy negative and are classified as autopsy negative sudden unexplained death (SUD) after the first year of life and as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if prior to their first birthday. Postmortem genetic testing known as the cardiac channel molecular autopsy is capable of identifying the subset of channelopathic SUD/SIDS.
Methods: Review of the literature and analysis of the state of such postmortem genetic testing in the evaluation of SUD/SIDS.
Results: Although still confined to anecdotal reports, relatively small case series of coroner/medical examiner‐referred cases of SUD/SIDS, and one population‐based cohort of SIDS, it is estimated that approximately 25–35% of autopsy‐negative SUD and approximately 10% of SIDS may stem from mutations in either long QT syndrome (LQTS)‐ or catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)‐susceptibility genes.
Discussion: Whether the cardiac channel molecular autopsy should become the standard of care in the postmortem evaluation of autopsy negative SUD or SIDS will require further scrutiny. Cost effectiveness analyses of a more intense postmortem focus on the decedent compared to the current battery of tests recommended for the deceased SUD victim's first degree relatives should be performed.
Conclusion: If deemed justified to upgrade such postmortem genetic testing from “investigational” to clinically indicated, uniform “standard operating procedures” to ensure that tissue is acquired and archived in a manner that is “DNA friendly” and insurance coverage that extends beyond one's final breath will be needed.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the Young Due to Inherited Arrhythmias: The Importance of Family Care
Authors: VINCENT G. MICHAEL 
Published: July 2009

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest in the young is always an extremely tragic event, producing enormous stress and anxiety in the family. When the event is due to an inherited cardiac arrhythmia, the additional concerns and questions about who else is affected and who will die next can become overwhelming to both the nuclear and the extended family. Identification and screening of the family members are necessary in order to find and treat presymptomatic members and prevent sudden death.
Methods: Guidelines and strategies for care of the extended family are presented.
Results: Pedigree development and expansion, followed by prospective contacting of family members and screening by phenotyping and genotyping, allow recognition and treatment of many mutation carriers who would not otherwise come to medical attention unless they develop a serious cardiac event. Presymptomatic treatment of affected members is highly efficacious and prevents sudden deaths.
Conclusions: Sudden cardiac arrest due to inherited arrhythmia disorders can be prevented by prospective, structured evaluation of the extended family, allowing effective, presymptomatic, and prophylactic treatment of the affected members to be provided.
Functional polymorphism in H2BFWT‐5′UTR is associated with susceptibility to male infertility
Authors: Lee Jinu , Park Hee Suk , Kim Hwan Hee , Yun Yeo‐Jin , Lee Dong Ryul , Lee Suman 
Published: July 2009

AbstractH2B histone family, member W, testis‐specific (H2BFWT) gene encodes a testis‐specific histone that becomes incorporated into sperm chromatin. A male infertility‐associated single nucleotide polymorphism (−9C > T) within the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) of the H2BFWT gene was identified by direct sequencing. Statistical association studies showed the polymorphism significantly associated with male infertility (n= 442, P= 0.0157), especially in non‐azoospermia (n= 262, P= 0.018). Furthermore, this polymorphism is also associated with sperm parameters, especially sperm count (n= 164, P= 0.0127) and vitality (n= 164, P= 0.0076). We investigated how the genetic variant at 5′UTR confers susceptibility to non‐azoospermia. Western blotting of His‐tag H2BFWT revealed a difference at the translational level between ‐9T and the wild‐type −9C in the absence of change at the transcriptional level. Reporter assays showed that this reducing translational change originated from an upstream open reading frame (uORF) generated by the −9C to −9T change. Finally, in vivo H2BFWT expression in sperm was significantly dependent on the −9C > T genotype from non‐azoospermia (P= 0.0061). Therefore, this polymorphism could affect the translational efficiency of a quantitatively important histone protein by the uORF. Our data implicate H2BFWT as a susceptibility factor for male infertility, possibly with other genetic and environmental factors.
Lymphangiogenesis and cancer metastasis
Authors: Mumprecht Viviane , Detmar Michael 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Anatomy and function of the lymphatic system
Tumour‐induced lymphangiogenesis promotes metastasis
Tumour‐induced lymph node lymphangiogenesis precedes cancer metastasis to lymph nodes
Tumour cell invasion into lymphatic vessels
Peri‐ and intra‐tumoral lymphangiogenesis
Lymphatic vessel markers and lymphangiogenic growth factors
Preventive and therapeutic potential of anti‐lymphangiogenic treatment
Tumour lymphangiogenesis as a prognostic indicator for lymph node metastasis
Diagnostic value of tumour‐associated lymphangiogenesis
Imaging of lymphatic vessels
Imaging lymphatic drainage
Non‐invasive imaging of lymph node metastases
Metastasis is a characteristic trait of most tumour types and the cause for the majority of cancer deaths. Many tumour types, including melanoma and breast and prostate cancers, first metastasize via lymphatic vessels to their regional lymph nodes. Although the connection between lymph node metastases and shorter survival times of patients was made decades ago, the active involvement of the lymphatic system in cancer, metastasis has been unravelled only recently, after molecular markers of lymphatic vessels were identified. A growing body of evidence indicates that tumour‐induced lymphangiogenesis is a predictive indicator of metastasis to lymph nodes and might also be a target for prevention of metastasis. This article reviews the current understanding of lymphangiogenesis in cancer anti‐lymphangiogenic strategies for prevention and therapy of metastatic disease, quantification of lymphangiogenesis for the prognosis and diagnosis of metastasis and in vivo imaging technologies for the assessment of lymphatic vessels, drainage and lymph nodes.