bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of two automated nucleic acid testing systems for simultaneous detection of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus RNA and hepatitis B virus DNA
Authors: Margaritis Angelo R. , Brown Stewart M. , Seed Clive R. , Kiely Philip , D'Agostino Bruno , Keller Anthony J. 
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND: Recently developed nucleic acid testing (NAT) assays incorporating simultaneous detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) have made HBV NAT screening more feasible for blood services. This study compared the performance of two “multiplex” NAT assays and their automated testing platforms.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The HBV NAT yield rate was estimated by testing 10,397 Hong Kong (HK) donor samples concurrently on the PROCLEIX ULTRIO (Ultrio) assay as individual donor samples with the TIGRIS and on the cobas TaqScreen multiplex (cobas MPX) test in pools of 6 with the cobas s 201. Analytical sensitivity was assessed by probit analysis of diluted international standards and operational performance was compared.RESULTS: Each system detected two different HBV NAT yield samples for a combined rate of 0.04 percent. One additional sample was reactive on the cobas MPX test but remained unresolved. The 95 percent detection limits for HIV‐1, HBV, and HCV were 42.2, 12.2, and 2.0 IU per mL, respectively, for Ultrio and 50.5, 8.4, and 6.0 IU per mL for the cobas MPX. The invalid test and failed run rates were 0.05 and 2.92 percent, respectively, for the TIGRIS and 2.39 and 5.53 percent for the cobas s 201.CONCLUSION: Clinical sensitivity for HBV in HK blood donors was equivalent, as was the analytical sensitivity for HIV‐1 and HBV; however, the Ultrio assay had a higher analytical sensitivity for HCV. Despite a shorter downtime and mean time of repair for the cobas s 201, the TIGRIS demonstrated better overall operational performance.
Immune modulation and microchimerism after unmodified versus leukoreduced allogeneic red blood cell transfusion in cancer patients: results of a randomized study
Authors: Lapierre Valérie , Aupérin Anne , Robinet Eric , Ferrand Christophe , Oubouzar Nadia , Tramalloni Dominique , Saas Philippe , Debaene Bertrand , Lasser Philippe , Tiberghien Pierre 
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND: Transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) has been associated with immunomodulatory effects. Persistence of donor cells in the recipient may be contributive.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized single‐center trial was conducted to compare microchimerism and immune responses in 35 patients undergoing cancer surgery and transfused perioperatively with either unmodified RBCs (UN‐RBCs, n = 18) or leukoreduced RBCs (LR‐RBCs, n = 17). Biologic parameters included microchimerism assessment peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMNC) phenotyping, cytokine production by stimulated PBMNCs, FoxP3 gene expression, and T‐cell repertoire (TCR) analysis.RESULTS: Microchimerism was documented in 8 of 18 patients after UN‐RBC transfusion while absent after LR‐RBC transfusion (0/17; p = 0.001). After UN‐RBC transfusion, microchimerism was associated with increased interleukin (IL)‐10 production (p = 0.02), reduced TCR alteration (p = 0.04), and reduced CD56+ cell counts (p = 0.02) when compared to recipients without evidence for microchimerism. FoxP3 gene expression did not differ significantly between both treatment groups nor with the presence or absence of microchimerism in the UN‐RBC group. Finally, after an initial early decrease after surgery and transfusion, IL‐12 production increased and more significantly so after UN‐RBC transfusion versus LR‐RBC transfusion (p = 0.05).CONCLUSION: UN‐RBC–induced microchimerism is associated with specific immunomodulatory effects in cancer patients who received transfusions during surgery.
Reduced expression of CD47 during murine red blood cell (RBC) senescence and its role in RBC clearance from the circulation
Authors: Khandelwal Sanjay , Van Rooijen Nico , Saxena Rajiv K. 
Published: June 2007

BACKGROUND: Almost 2 percent of murine blood red blood cells (RBCs) are destroyed each day and are replaced by fresh RBCs generated through the process of erythropoiesis. RBCs to be destroyed are phagocytosed by macrophages in the reticuloendothelial system, especially in the spleen. CD47 molecules on RBCs may regulate the susceptibility of RBC to destruction by phagocytosis because its recognition by inhibitory receptor (signal regulatory protein α) on macrophages sends a negative signal, which if sufficiently strong, may abort the phagocytic response altogether. The aim of this study was to investigate whether age‐dependent changes in CD47 expression on circulating RBCs have a role in destruction of senescent RBCs by macrophages.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A two‐step in vivo biotinylation method for labeling mouse RBCs in vivo was used to track the CD47 expression levels as well as the turnover of circulating RBCs of defined age groups.RESULTS: Our results indicate that CD47 expression levels decrease on circulating RBCs throughout their life span in circulation. The oldest RBCs in circulation have 30 percent lower mean expression of CD47 than the youngest RBCs. Depletion of macrophages by administration of clodronate‐loaded liposomes resulted in a significant decrease in the mean expression of CD47 on RBCs of all age groups and a significant accumulation of senescent RBCs in blood and spleen. A decrease in mean expression of CD47 and accumulation of senescent RBCs in macrophage‐depleted mice were significantly higher for spleen RBCs compared to blood RBCs.CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide supportive evidence for a role of decreasing CD47 expression on aging circulating RBCs in their destruction by macrophages.
The Effects of Statins and Renin‐Angiotensin System Blockers on Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence Following Antral Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: CHEKAKIE M. OBADAH AL , AKAR JOSEPH G. , WANG FEI , MURADI HAZEM AL , WU JOSEPH , SANTUCCI PETER , VARMA NIRAJ , WILBER DAVID J 
Published: June 2007

Introduction: Ablation has emerged as a major treatment option for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, this procedure is limited by a significant rate of AF recurrence. We aimed to examine the effects of statins, angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE‐I), and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) on the recurrence rate of AF following ablation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 177 consecutive patients (mean age = 56 ± 11 yrs, 69% males) who underwent ablation for paroxysmal (n = 132) or persistent AF (n = 45). Patients were treated with ACE‐I (n = 31) or ARB (n = 18) or statins (n = 50) prior to ablation and for the duration of follow‐up. Results: After a mean follow‐up of 13.8 ± 8.6 months, 72% of patients were free of AF. For patients taking statins, 33 of 50 (60%) were free of AF. In patients treated with ACE‐I, 17 of 31 (55%) were free from AF, while in the group of patients treated with ARB, 17 of 18 (94%) were free from AF. Using Cox regression analysis to correct for baseline variables, treatment with statins did not decrease the recurrence rate (HR = 1.10 [95% CI: 0.55–2.27] p = 0.79); nor did treatment with renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers (HR 0.94 [95% CI: 0.46–1.93] p = 0.87). However, subgroup analysis showed that treatment with ARB was associated with a trend towards lower AF recurrence [HR 0.17, (95% CI: 0.02–1.34) p = 0.09]. Conclusions: Even though statins and RAS blockers possess anti‐inflammatory properties, they did not decrease the recurrence of AF following ablation. However, the subset of patients taking ARB exhibited a trend towards lower AF recurrence. Larger, randomized studies are needed to address this observation.
Distinctive expression of myelomonocytic markers and down‐regulation of CD34 in acute myelogenous leukaemia with FLT3 tandem duplication and nucleophosmin mutation
Authors: Mori Yasuo , Yoshimoto Goichi , Kumano Takashi , Miyamoto Toshihiro , Iino Tadafumi , Takenaka Katsuto , Iwasaki Hiromi , Harada Naoki , Kinukawa Naoko , Nagafuji Koji , Teshima Takanori , Shimoda Kazuya , Akashi Koichi , Harada Mine 
Published: June 2007

AbstractObjective:  Patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) show co‐existing frequently internal tandem duplications of FLT3 (FLT3‐ITD) and mutations of nucleophosmin (NPM1‐Mt). We investigated the biological and clinical significance of FLT3‐ITD and/or NPM1‐Mt in this context.Methods:  We analysed 89 AML patients according to whether NPM1 and FLT3‐ITD were single mutants, double mutants, or wild type for both.Results:  FLT3‐ITD was detected in 19 of 89 patients (21.3%), while NPM1‐Mt was detected in 19 of 89 patients (21.3%); eight of 89 patients (9.0%) carried both FLT3‐ITD and NPM1‐Mt. By multivariate analysis, white blood cell count and peripheral blood blast cell count at diagnosis were significantly higher in patients with FLT3‐ITD but not in those with only NPM1‐Mt. NPM1‐Mt was significantly related to female gender, normal karyotype, and M4 or M5 disease according to French–American–British criteria. In addition, leukaemic blast cells with NPM1‐Mt, FLT3‐ITD, or both expressed CD34 less frequently than wild‐type blasts (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.005 respectively), while myelomonocytic markers such as CD11b and CD14 were expressed more frequently in patients with NPM1‐Mt.Conclusion:  FLT3‐ITD may increase potential for cell proliferation to produce a leukaemic population; NPM1‐Mt may cause cells to develop along the myelomonocytic lineage. Extensive analyses and detailed experiments will be required to clarify how NPM1 and FLT3 mutations interact in leukaemogenesis.
Oral sodium clodronate induced osteonecrosis of the jaw in a patient with myeloma
Authors: Montazeri Amir H , Erskine J Gordon , McQuaker I Grant 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBisphosphonate therapy has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of skeletal complications in patients with myeloma. Several recent reports have described osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) associated with bisphosphonates. These reports mainly demonstrate an association between ONJ and potent i.v. bisphosphonates. We report a case of ONJ in a patient with myeloma, who had only been treated with oral sodium clodronate. While the degree of risk for osteonecrosis in patients taking oral bisphosphonates, such as clodronate, remains uncertain it would be prudent to consider carefully the indications for the use of these agents to minimise the risk of ONJ.
Reference intervals for haematological variables during normal pregnancy and postpartum in 434 healthy Danish women
Authors: Milman Nils , Bergholt Thomas , Byg Keld‐Erik , Eriksen Lisbeth , Hvas Anne‐Mette 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAim:  To report reference intervals for haematological variables during normal pregnancy and postpartum.Material and methods:  The series comprised 434 healthy ethnic Danish women with a normal pregnancy ≥37 wk duration and a normal delivery with newborns weight >2500 g. Blood samples were obtained at 18, 32 and 39 wk gestation and at 8 wk postpartum. The following variables were analysed: Haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), blood erythrocyte count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, white cell count, platelet count, erythrocyte folate, plasma folate, plasma cobalamin, plasma methylmalonic acid, plasma total homocysteine, serum ferritin, serum soluble transferrin receptor and plasma creatinine. Reference intervals were calculated using log10‐transformed values (which showed normal distributions) as mean ± 1.96 × SD.Results:  The lower reference value for Hb during pregnancy was 6.45 mmol/L (105 g/L) and 7.3 mmol/L (118 g/L) postpartum. The lower reference value for Hct was 0.31 in pregnancy and 0.35 postpartum. There was a gradual decline in the lower reference value for erythrocyte folate during pregnancy and postpartum from 0.46 to 0.29 μmol/L and in plasma folate from 6 to 4 nmol/L. Lower reference value for plasma cobalamin declined during pregnancy from 96 to 71 pmol/L, but increased postpartum to 148 pmol/L. Upper reference value for plasma homocysteine increased gradually during pregnancy and postpartum from 11.0 to 20.6 μmol/L. Geometric mean serum ferritin at 18 wk gestation was 32 μg/L. Plasma creatinine values were low during pregnancy and displayed a significant increase postpartum.Conclusion:  The characteristic changes occurring in haematological indices during pregnancy and postpartum are described in this study. The results may be used as reference values in the assessment of health status of pregnant women with a similar socio‐economic and racial background.
Skin infiltration of CD56bright CD16‐ natural killer cells in a case of X‐SCID with Omenn syndrome‐like manifestations
Authors: Shibata Fumie , Toma Tomoko , Wada Taizo , Inoue Masayuki , Tone Yumi , Ohta Kazuhide , Kasahara Yoshihito , Sano Fumie , Kimura Mitsuaki , Ikeno Mitsuru , Koizumi Shoichi , Yachie Akihiro 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe observed a patient with X‐linked severe combined immunodeficiency (X‐SCID) with Omenn syndrome‐like manifestations. X‐linked inheritance, absence of CD132 expression and impaired response to interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) indicated that the case is typical of X‐SCID due to γc defect. However, this case was unusual in that circulating natural killer (NK) cells were increased and nearly half of these NK cells exhibited the CD56bright CD16− phenotype. A missense mutation was found within exon 5 of the IL2RG gene. The identical mutation was detected within NK, CD4+ T and B cells. Engraftment of maternally derived NK cells or gene reversion was ruled out. The erythroderma‐like skin lesion was characterized by infiltration of the dermis by CD56bright NK cells admixed with CD1a+ dendritic cells (DC). Expression of mRNA for inflammatory cytokines was significantly enhanced within the skin. This may be the first human case to demonstrate that close cell‐to‐cell contact between DC and NK cells provides an effective alternative pathway for NK cell differentiation/activation in vivo.
Profiling adverse respiratory events and vomiting when using propofol for emergency department procedural sedation
Authors: Bell Anthony , Treston Greg , McNabb Charley , Monypenny Kathy , Cardwell Robert 
Published: June 2007

AbstractObjectives: To evaluate the rate of adverse respiratory events and vomiting among ED patients undergoing procedural sedation with propofol.Methods: This was a prospective, observational series of patients undergoing procedural sedation. Titrated i.v. propofol was administered via protocol. Fasting status was recorded.Results: Four hundred patients undergoing sedation were enrolled. Of these 282 (70%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 66–75%) had eaten or drunken within 6 and 2 h, respectively. Median fasting times from a full meal, snack or drink were 7 h (interquartile range [IQR] 5–9 h), 6 h (IQR 4–8 h) and 4 h (IQR 2–6 h), respectively. Overall a respiratory event occurred in 86 patients (22%, 95% CI 18–26%). An airway intervention occurred in 123 patients (31%, 95% CI 26–35%). In 111 cases (90%, 95% CI 60–98%) basic airway manoeuvres were all that was required. No patients were intubated. Two patients vomited (0.5%, 95% CI 0.0–1.6%), one during sedation, one after patient became conversational. One patient developed transient laryngospasm (0.25%, 95% CI 0–1.2%) unrelated to vomiting. There were nil aspiration events (0%, 95% CI 0–0.74%).Conclusions: Seventy per cent of patients undergoing ED procedural sedation are not fasted. No patient had a clinically evident adverse outcome. Transient respiratory events occur but can be managed with basic airway interventions making propofol a safe alternative for emergency physicians to provide emergent procedural sedation.
From emergency department to general practitioner: Evaluating emergency department communication and service to general practitioners
Authors: Lane Nigel , Bragg Matthew J 
Published: June 2007

AbstractObjective:  To survey general practitioners' (GPs) opinions of communication and service received from the ED of a tertiary metropolitan hospital.Methods:  Analysis of a postal survey form sent to 380 GPs in the hospital catchment area.Results:  One hundred and forty‐seven completed questionnaires (39%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 34–44%) were returned. Seventy‐eight GPs (53%, 95% CI 45–61%) endorsed the current method of discharge letter delivery by patient; however, 43 (29%, 95% CI 22–37%) stated that letters were often not received. The most commonly proposed alternative to patient delivery was facsimile transmission. One hundred and thirty respondents (88%, 95% CI 83–94%) rated the overall standard of communication from ED as average or better; however, 64 (44%, 95% CI 36–52%) felt that important information was omitted from the discharge letter. One hundred and seventeen (79%, 95% CI 73–86%) GPs found the ED admitting officer role useful when referring patients. Fifty‐nine (40%, 95% CI 32–48%) respondents cited difficulties accessing investigation results. The predominant source of patient dissatisfaction reported by GPs was excess waiting times.Conclusions:  Half of GPs surveyed supported the current system of patient delivered discharge letters and of those who did not the majority preferred faxed discharges. There was little support for email communication. GPs reported problems with the current communication system including discharge letters not reaching GPs and deficiencies in the discharge information. GP reported substantial difficulties in accessing outstanding investigation results. Most GPs felt that assessment and treatment of their patients in the ED was of above average quality, as was the overall service they received from the ED. There was GP support for the ED admitting officer role.
The FcγRIIa polymorphism influences production of interleukin‐1 by mononuclear cells
Authors: Yamamoto K. , Kobayashi T. , Sugita N. , Tai H. , Yoshie H. 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe functional bi‐allelic polymorphism of immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fc receptor (FcγR) IIa influences the efficiency of human IgG2 binding. Our previous study showed that the high affinity FcγRIIa genotype (‐H/H131) was associated with periodontitis risk. As interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) is one of the major causes of periodontal tissue destruction, it is hypothesized that the FcγRIIa‐H/H131cross‐linking could induce an increased IL‐1 release by mononuclear cells. In this study, we evaluated the intracellular expressions of IL‐1β in CD14 positive cells upon stimulation with human IgG2 by flow cytometry. FcγRIIa‐H/H131 subjects exhibited a higher percentage of IL‐1β‐producing cells than FcγRIIa‐R/H131 and ‐R/R131 subjects (P < 0.05). These results support the concept that FcγRIIa genotype may affect IL‐1β production, possibly leading to interindividual differences in periodontitis risk.
IMPACT OF MAGMATISM ON PETROLEUM SYSTEMS IN THE SVERDRUP BASIN, CANADIAN ARCTIC ISLANDS, NUNAVUT: A NUMERICAL MODELLING STUDY
Authors: Jones S.F. , Wielens H. , Williamson M‐C. , Zentilli M. 
Published: June 2007

Numerical modelling is used to investigate for the first time the interactions between a petroleum system and sill intrusion in the NE Sverdrup Basin, Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Although hydrocarbonexploration has been successful in the western Sverdrup Basin, the results in the NE part of thebasin have been disappointing, despite the presence of suitable Mesozoic source rocks, migrationpaths and structural/stratigraphic traps, many involving evaporites. This was explained by (i) theformation of structural traps during basin inversion in the Eocene, after the main phase ofhydrocarbon generation, and/or (ii) the presence of evaporite diapirs locally modifying the geothermalgradient, leading to thermal overmaturity of hydrocarbons. This study is the first attempt at modellingthe intrusion of Cretaceous sills in the east‐central Sverdrup Basin, and to investigate how theymay have affected the petroleum system.A one‐dimensional numerical model, constructed using PetroMod9.0®, investigates the effectsof rifting and magmatic events on the thermal history and on petroleum generation at the DepotPoint L‐24 well, eastern Axel Heiberg Island (79°23′40″N, 85°44′22″W). The thermal history isconstrained by vitrinite reflectance and fission‐track data, and by the tectonic history. The simulationidentifies the time intervals during which hydrocarbons were generated, and illustrates the interplaybetween hydrocarbon production and igneous activity at the time of sill intrusion during the EarlyCretaceous. The comparison of the petroleum and magmatic systems in the context of previouslyproposed models of basin evolution and renewed tectonism was an essential step in the interpretationof the results from the Depot Point L‐24 well.The model results show that an episode of minor renewed rifting and widespread sill intrusionin the Early Cretaceous occurred after hydrocarbon generation ceased at about 220 Ma in theHare Fiord and Van Hauen Formations. We conclude that the generation potential of these deeperformations in the eastern Sverdrup Basin was not likely to have been affected by the intrusion ofmafic sills during the Early Cretaceous. However, the model suggests that in shallower sourcerocks such as the Blaa Mountain Formation, rapid generation of natural gas occurred at 125 Ma, contemporaneous with tectonic rejuvenation and sill intrusion in the east‐central Sverdrup Basin.A sensitivity study shows that the emplacement of sills increased the hydrocarbon generation ratesin the Blaa Mountain Formation, and facilitated the production of gas rather than oil.
GIS Methodology for Quantifying Channel Change in Las Vegas, Nevada1
Authors: Buckingham Susan E. , Whitney John W. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract: This study applies spatial analyses to examine the consequences of accelerated urban expansion on a hydrologic system over a period of 24 years. Three sets of historical aerial photos are used in a GIS analysis to document the geomorphic history of Las Vegas Wash, which drains the rapidly growing Las Vegas urban area in southern Nevada. New spatial techniques are introduced to make quantitative measurements of the erosion at three specific time intervals in the hydrologic evolution of the channel and floodplain. Unlike other erosion studies that use two different elevation surfaces to assess erosion, this study used a single elevation surface to remove systematic and nonsystemic elevation errors. The spatial analysis quantifies channel changes for discrete time periods, calculates erosion volumes, and provides a foundation to examine how the specific mechanisms related to urban expansion have affected Las Vegas Wash. The erosion calculated over 24 years is the largest documented sediment loss attributed to the effect of rapid urban growth.
Interactions of Ceftobiprole with β-Lactamases from Molecular Classes A to D
Authors: Queenan Anne Marie , Shang Wenchi , Kania Malgosia , Page Malcolm G. P. , Bush Karen 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThe interactions of ceftobiprole with purified β-lactamases from molecular classes A, B, C, and D were determined and compared with those of benzylpenicillin, cephaloridine, cefepime, and ceftazidime. Enzymes were selected from functional groups 1, 2a, 2b, 2be, 2d, 2e, and 3 to represent β-lactamases from organisms within the antibacterial spectrum of ceftobiprole. Ceftobiprole was refractory to hydrolysis by the common staphylococcal PC1 β-lactamase, the class A TEM-1 β-lactamase, and the class C AmpC β-lactamase but was labile to hydrolysis by class B, class D, and class A extended-spectrum β-lactamases. Cefepime and ceftazidime followed similar patterns. In most cases, the hydrolytic stability of a substrate correlated with the MIC for the producing organism. Ceftobiprole and cefepime generally had lower MICs than ceftazidime for AmpC-producing organisms, particularly AmpC-overexpressingEnterobacter cloacaeorganisms. However, all three cephalosporins were hydrolyzed very slowly by AmpC cephalosporinases, suggesting that factors other than β-lactamase stability contribute to lower ceftobiprole and cefepime MICs against many members of the familyEnterobacteriaceae.