bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Twenty‐three novel HLA‐B alleles identified during intermediate‐resolution testing
Authors: Lazaro A. M. , Cao K. , Masaberg C. , Steiner N. K. , Xiao Y. , Tu B. , Turner V. , Nickerson P. , Stoll S. , Schall C. , Valdez R. , Ng J. , Hartzman R. J. , Hurley C. K. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractTwenty‐three novel human leukocyte antigen‐B alleles are described: B*070204, *0738, *0742, *0821, *130202, *1312, *1575, *1598, *1599, *270507, *2728, *350104, *3558, *3811, *3931, *3932, *4045, *4107, *420501, *4812, *510106, *5520, and *5616. Thirteen of the variants are single‐nucleotide substitutions from their most homologous allele, eight resulting in amino acid changes (B*0742, *1312, *1598, *1599, *3558, *3931, *4107, and *5616) and five with silent substitutions (B*070204, *130202, *270507, *350104, and *510106). Three alleles (B*0738, *4812, and *5520) differ by five nucleotide changes, altering four amino acids. The remaining seven alleles differ from their most similar alleles by two to three nucleotides, altering from one to two amino acids.
Human leucocyte antigen class II polymorphism in Irish patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Dunne C. , McGuigan C. , Crowley J. , Hagan R. , Rooney G. , Kelleher J. , Hutchinson M. , Lawlor E. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe contribution of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) to the genetic risk for multiple sclerosis (MS) in patients of Northern European Caucasoid ancestry has been known since the 1970s. The northern part of Ireland, including county Donegal, is known to be a high‐risk area for the development of MS. Recorded prevalence rates for county Wexford in the south‐east Ireland have been markedly lower and suggest the existence of a prevalence gradient within the island. To evaluate the association of HLA‐DRB1 and ‐DQB1 haplotypes with MS in both Wexford and Donegal, we examined a total of 118 patients and 400 regionally matched controls. The aim of this exploratory study was to test the possibility of heterogeneity in HLA class II associations with MS and to identify potential predisposing or protective haplotypes, associated with MS risk in Ireland. We confirmed the association of DRB1*1501‐DQB1*0602 haplotype carriage with MS in both Wexford [odds ratio (OR) = 2.95, P= 0.0020, Pcor= 0.0220] and Donegal (OR = 2.29, P= 0.0030, Pcor= 0.0420). A higher frequency and a significantly higher homozygosity rate of this haplotype in Donegal are likely contributing factors to the higher prevalence of MS in Donegal compared with Wexford. The distribution of HLA class II alleles among Irish MS patients and controls establishes that there is heterogeneity in HLA class II associations with MS within Ireland.
Sex ratio variance and the maintenance of environmental sex determination
Authors: FREEDBERG S. , TAYLOR D. R. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAlthough variation in population sex ratios is predicted to increase the extinction rate of clades with environmental sex determination (ESD), ESD is still seen in a wide array of natural systems. It is unclear how this common sex‐determining system has persisted despite this inherent disadvantage associated with ESD. We use simulation modelling to examine the effect of the sex ratio variance caused by ESD on population colonization and establishment. We find that an accelerating function of establishment success on initial population sex ratio favours a system that produces variance in sex ratios over one that consistently produces even sex ratios. This sex ratio variance causes ESD to be favoured over genetic sex determination, even when the mean global sex ratio under both sex‐determining systems is the same. Data from ESD populations suggest that the increase in population establishment can more than offset the increased risk of extinction associated with temporal fluctuations in the sex ratio. These findings demonstrate that selection in natural systems can favour increased variance in a trait, irrespective of the mean trait value. Our results indicate that sex ratio variation may provide an advantage to species with ESD, and may help explain the widespread existence of this sex‐determining system.
Hybridization and reproductive isolation among syntopic populations of the topminnows Fundulus notatus and F. olivaceus
Authors: DUVERNELL D. D. , SCHAEFER J. F. , HANCKS D. C. , FONOTI J. A. , RAVANELLI A. M. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract Fundulus notatus and Fundulus olivaceus are two closely related topminnow species that exhibit similar ecological niches and broad, largely overlapping, North American ranges extending throughout much of the Mississippi River drainage as well as the coastal drainages of the Gulf of Mexico. Previous studies have suggested that these two species are reproductively compatible despite cytogenetic differences and will hybridize when syntopic. We used nuclear and mtDNA loci to assess levels of hybridization and test for introgression in syntopic populations of these two species in four drainages in southern Illinois. Although hybridization was detected in all syntopic populations, an assessment of the proportion of hybrid individuals indicated a deficiency of hybrids relative to expectations under random mating. We determined that, although mtDNA introgression was prevalent and extended beyond the zones of contact, evidence of nuclear introgression was limited to the zone of sympatry.
Interaction of a solitary larval endoparasitoid, Microplitis mediator, with its host, Mamestra brassicae: host acceptance and host suitability
Authors: Lauro N. , Kuhlmann U. , Mason P. G. , Holliday N. J. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract:  Microplitis mediator (Haliday) (Hym., Braconidae) is an important parasitoid of early instar larvae of the European cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae L. (Lep., Noctuidae). In the laboratory, we examined attack responses of female M. mediator to the first three larval instars of M. brassicae. Females were presented with M. brassicae larvae either one individual at a time in a no‐choice experiment, or three individuals, one from each instar, simultaneously in a choice experiment. Whether or not there was choice, naïve female parasitoids attacked a high proportion of larvae and did not discriminate among instars. In the no‐choice experiment, attacked larvae were reared, and parasitoid cocoons were produced from about 76% of larvae attacked as first and second instars, but from only 19% of larvae attacked as third instars. Dissections of attacked larvae from the choice experiment showed that about 79% of attacks on first and second instars resulted in oviposition compared with only 49% for third instars. When given choice, frequency and number of attacks on first instar larvae increased with increasing parasitoid experience. Our results suggest that first and second instar larvae of M. brassicae are suitable hosts for M. mediator, but that third instar larvae are suboptimal both because oviposition attempts were frequently unsuccessful and because immature parasitoids failed to complete development. Nevertheless, naïve attacking parasitoids exhibited minimal discrimination among instars, although experienced parasitoids most frequently attacked first instar larvae. The host selection behaviour of M. mediator is discussed in the context of optimal foraging theory and implications for biological control.
Engineering resistance to geminiviruses – review and perspectives
Authors: Vanderschuren Hervé , Stupak Martin , Fütterer Johannes , Gruissem Wilhelm , Zhang Peng 
Published: September 2006

SummaryFollowing the conceptual development of virus resistance strategies ranging from coat protein‐mediated interference of virus propagation to RNA‐mediated virus gene silencing, much progress has been achieved to protect plants against RNA and DNA virus infections. Geminiviruses are a major threat to world agriculture, and breeding resistant crops against these DNA viruses is one of the major challenges faced by plant virologists and biotechnologists. In this article, we review the most recent transgene‐based approaches that have been developed to achieve durable geminivirus resistance. Although most of the strategies have been tested in model plant systems, they are ready to be adopted for the protection of crop plants. Furthermore, a better understanding of geminivirus gene and protein functions, as well as the native immune system which protects plants against viruses, will allow us to develop novel tools to expand our current capacity to stabilize crop production in geminivirus epidemic zones.
CD4+/CD56+ haematodermic neoplasm: a preculsor haematological neoplasm that frequently first presents in the skin
Authors: Martín JM , Nicolau MJ , Galán A , Ferrández‐Izquierdo A , Ferrer AM , Jordá E 
Published: August 2006

AbstractCD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm, formerly known as blastic NK cell lymphoma, is an aggressive and rare preculsor hematologic neoplasm recently recognized by the WHO‐EORTC classification consensus for cutaneous lymphomas. The neoplasm tends to affect elderly patients, who usually present with skin lesions but often have a disseminated disease, including bone marrow involvement. Although the lesions are composed of cells with a lymphoblast‐like morphology and an NK‐cell phenotype, exhibiting a CD4+, CD56+ positive immunophenotype, recent studies support a relationship to plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Because of the rarity of this disease, we describe two patients suffering a CD4+/CD56+ hematodermic neoplasm.
Accuracy of hepatitis C virus core antigen testing in pools among seroconverters
Authors: Beer Netta , Shinar Eilat , Novack Lena , Safi Jamal , Soliman Hassan , Yaari Arieh , Goldman‐Levi Ronit , Yahalom Vered , Bolotin Arkadi , Sarov Batia 
Published: September 2006

BACKGROUND: Screening blood units for hepatitis C virus (HCV) with nucleic acid testing (NAT) reduces the risk associated with the long “window period” (8‐9 weeks) after HCV infection. The feasibility of adding the HCV core antigen assay in pools to the existing anti‐HCV individual screening was examined as an alternative of NAT, for early detection of HCV.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Eighteen HCV seroconversion panels were tested for HCV antibodies, HCV antigen, and HCV RNA. Each sample was tested for HCV antigen individually and in pools of 3, 6, and 12. Statistical analyses included estimation of time until detection of the first positive HCV antigen bleed in each pool size, with a locally weighted regression (LOWESS) model. Sensitivity was calculated compared to NAT.RESULTS: Detection of HCV antigen in individual samples and in pools of 3 and 6 significantly preceded the detection of antibodies by 63, 53, and 46 days, respectively. Although the sensitivity of the HCV antigen test decreased with the increase in pool size, the estimated overall sensitivity of the “two‐stage” antigen and antibody screening (where NAT of individual samples was the gold standard) was not significantly different between individual and the different pool sizes.CONCLUSION: Screening for HCV antigen in pools of 6 can be considered an efficient and easier‐to‐implement alternative to the costly NAT for identifying blood donors in the seroconversion period. It may offer a cost‐effective approach in resource utilization in poor countries, that, after the implementation of HCV antibody testing, want to further improve blood safety.
Viability of red cells prepared with S‐303 pathogen inactivation treatment
Authors: Rios Jorge A. , Hambleton Julie , Viele Maurene , Rugg Neeta , Sindermann Gail , Greenwalt Tibor , Wages David , Cook David , Corash Laurence 
Published: September 2006

BACKGROUND: A nucleic acid–targeted pathogen inactivation process with S‐303 was developed to treat red blood cells (RBCs).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Three studies in healthy subjects investigated posttransfusion recovery, life span, and immunogenic potential of autologous RBCs treated with S‐303 and stored for 35 days. A two‐arm trial in 42 subjects (1A) examined recovery of 35‐day‐old S‐303 RBCs after a single transfusion. A one‐arm study (1B) measured recovery and immune response in 28 subjects after multiple transfusions of S‐303 RBCs. A randomized, crossover study (1C) in 29 subjects compared recovery and life span of 35‐day‐old S‐303 RBCs and conventional RBCs.RESULTS: In Studies 1A and 1B, mean recovery of S‐303 RBCs ranged from 78.7 to 84.4 percent. In Phase 1C, the mean 24‐hour posttransfusion recoveries of S‐303 and untreated RBCs were 81.7 ± 6.3 and 84.5 ± 6.2 percent (p = 0.05). The median life spans (t1/2) of S‐303 and control RBCs were identical (37.4 days, p = 0.98). No antibodies to S‐303 RBCs were detected.CONCLUSION: The mean 24‐hour recovery of 35‐day‐old S‐303 RBCs was less than untreated RBCs, but greater than 75 percent. RBCs treated with S‐303 and stored for 35 days exhibited median life span not different from that of conventional RBCs.
Quantification of hepatitis B virus genomes and infectivity in human serum samples
Authors: Hsia Chu Chieh , Purcell Robert H. , Farshid Mahmood , Lachenbruch Peter A. , Yu Mei‐ying W. 
Published: September 2006

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are still a major health issue, with approximately 350 million people chronically infected with HBV worldwide. Information about the minimum copy number of HBV genomes required for infection would be useful as a reference for drug and vaccine development; for monitoring HBV patients during treatment; for screening of blood, organ, and tissue donors; and for regulating nucleic acid amplification assays for HBV.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum samples from chronic carriers (hepatitis B surface antigen–positive and antibody to HBV core antigen–positive) of the three most common subtypes of HBV were studied; their infectivity titers had been evaluated previously in chimpanzees. The genotypes of the HBV samples were determined by DNA sequences and type‐specific amino acids of the S gene of HBV. Copy numbers of HBV DNA were quantified by real‐time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by nested PCR applied to limiting dilutions. The copy number determined for each inoculum was compared with previously defined chimpanzee infectivity titers.RESULTS: The genotypes of the HBV adw, ayw, and adr inocula were A, D, and C, respectively. The concentration of HBV DNA was determined to be 5.4 × 109, 2.5 × 109, and 3.1 × 108 genome equivalents (geq) per mL for serum samples containing the adw, ayw, and adr, respectively. The chimpanzee infectivity titers per milliliter of these initial HBV‐containing serum samples were previously determined to be 107.5 for adw, 107.5 for ayw (MS‐2 strain), and 108 for adr.CONCLUSION: The minimal copy number of HBV DNA in chronic carriers of HBV that can infect the chimpanzee model was estimated to be from 3 to 169 geq based upon the three well‐characterized inocula.
Evaluation of inactivation methods for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus in noncellular blood products
Authors: Darnell Miriam E.R. , Taylor Deborah R. 
Published: September 2006

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV) has been detected in the blood of infected individuals, which may have the potential to contaminate donated blood and plasma‐derived products in the event of a future outbreak. Effective methods for inactivating the SARS‐CoV in protein solutions are described in this report.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Heat, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, octanoic acid, and solvent/detergent (S/D) methods were tested individually for their ability to inactivate SARS‐CoV in protein solutions appropriately mimicking blood‐derived products. Treated samples were tested for inactivation in a tissue culture growth assay.RESULTS: Viral inactivation by heat treatment at 60°C required 15 to 30 minutes to inactivate the SARS‐CoV. UVC efficiently inactivated SARS‐CoV in 40 minutes, whereas UVA required the addition of psoralen to enhance inactivation of the virus. The presence of bovine serum albumin limited the ability of UVC and UVA to inactivate SARS‐CoV and octanoic acid treatment does not reduce the infectivity of SARS‐CoV–spiked protein solutions. S/D treatment required 2, 4, and up to 24 hours for Triton X‐100, Tween 80, and sodium cholate inactivation, respectively.CONCLUSION: Heat, UVC irradiation, and S/D treatments effectively inactivate SARS‐CoV, whereas octanoic acid treatment is insufficient for inactivation of the virus.
Two‐year experience with aerobic culturing of apheresis and whole blood–derived platelets
Authors: Kleinman Steven H. , Kamel Hany T. , Harpool Dennis R. , Vanderpool Sandra K. , Custer Brian , Wiltbank Thomas B. , Nguyen Kim‐Anh , Tomasulo Peter A. 
Published: September 2006

BACKGROUND: Throughout its system of regional centers, Blood Systems implemented culture based bacterial testing with a standardized protocol for both apheresis and whole blood–derived platelets (PLTs).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: After a 24‐hour hold, 4 mL of PLT product was inoculated into an aerobic bottle (BacT/ALERT, bioMérieux). Cultures were incubated for 24 hours before routine product release to prevent distribution of infected products while minimizing consignee notification, product retrievals, and hospital PLT inventory problems. Initial‐positives were further tested (and bacteria identified) by performing cultures from the original component and subcultures from the BacT/ALERT bottle. Results were categorized according to AABB recommended definitions with minor modifications.RESULTS: The rate of true‐positive detections from culturing 122,971 apheresis PLTs was 0.017 percent (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.011%‐0.026%). All true‐positive microorganisms were Gram‐positive with a predominance of coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus and Bacillus species. Twenty of the 21 true‐positive samples (95%) were detected by 24 hours but only 14 (68%) were detected by 18 hours. The false‐positive rate due to contamination was 0.1 percent with the majority of isolates being skin or environmental organisms. Results did not differ significantly for whole blood–derived versus apheresis PLTs.CONCLUSION: These data corroborate the fact that the rate of detection of truly contaminated PLT apheresis products in the United States is approximately 1 in 5000 (0.02%); this is lower than the 0.03 to 0.05 percent rates that were generally quoted in the literature before the implementation of prospective bacterial culturing programs.
What Customers Want: Using Outcome‐Driven Innovation to Create Breakthrough Products and Services by Anthony W. Ulwick
Authors: Pinegar Jeffrey S. 
Published: September 2006

Books reviewed in this issue:

What Customers
Want: Using Outcome‐Driven Innovation to Create Breakthrough Products and Services
Ten Rules for Strategic Innovators: From Idea to Execution
The Design of Things to Come: How Ordinary People Create Extraordinary Products
Managing Agile Projects
Service Design for Six Sigma: A Roadmap for Excellence
Axiomatic Quality: Integrating Axiomatic Design with Six‐Sigma, Reliability, and Quality Engineering
Design for Six Sigma as Strategic Experimentation
Impact of implant length and diameter on survival rates
Authors: Renouard Franck , Nisand David 
Published: September 2006

AbstractIntroduction: Despite the high success rates of endosseous oral implants, restrictions have been advocated to their placement with regard to the bone available in height and volume. The use of short or nonstandard‐diameter implants could be one way to overcome this limitation.Material and methods: In order to explore the relationship between implant survival rates and their length and diameter, a Medline and a hand search was conducted covering the period 1990–2005. Papers were included which reported: (1) relevant data on implant length and diameter, (2) implant survival rates; either clearly indicated or calculable from data in the paper, (3) clearly defined criteria for implant failure, and in which (4) implants were placed in healed sites and (5) studies were in human subjects.Results: A total of 53 human studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Concerning implant length, a relatively high number of published studies (12) indicated an increased failure rate with short implants which was associated with operators' learning curves, a routine surgical preparation (independent of the bone density), the use of machined‐surfaced implants, and the placement in sites with poor bone density. Recent publications (22) reporting an adapted surgical preparation and the use of textured‐surfaced implants have indicated survival rates of short implants comparable with those obtained with longer ones.Considering implant diameter, a few publications on wide‐diameter implants have reported an increased failure rate, which was mainly associated with the operators' learning curves, poor bone density, implant design and site preparation, and the use of a wide implant when primary stability had not been achieved with a standard‐diameter implant. More recent publications with an adapted surgical preparation, new implant designs and adequate indications have demonstrated that implant survival rate and diameter have no relationship.Discussion: When surgical preparation is related to bone density, textured‐surfaced implants are employed, operators' surgical skills are developed, and indications for implant treatment duly considered, the survival rates for short and for wide‐diameter implants has been found to be comparable with those obtained with longer implants and those of a standard diameter. The use of a short or wide implant may be considered in sites thought unfavourable for implant success, such as those associated with bone resorption or previous injury and trauma. While in these situations implant failure rates may be increased, outcomes should be compared with those associated with advanced surgical procedure such as bone grafting, sinus lifting, and the transposition of the alveolar nerve.