bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of two sterile connection devices and the effect of sterile connections on blood component quality
Authors: Van Der Meer Pieter F. , Eijzenga Marjan , Pietersz Ruby N.I. 
Published: January 2006

BACKGROUND:  Sterile connection devices (SCDs) are used to connect pieces of polyvinylchloride tubing between blood bag systems. After observing a slight decrease in inner diameter of tubing welded with the CompoDock S2 SCD, the effect of welded tubing on storage characteristics of white blood cell (WBC)‐reduced red blood cells (RBCs) and platelet (PLT) concentrates was studied. Welds were made with Terumo SCD (T‐SCD) or CompoDock S2, and unwelded tubing served as reference.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Three WBC‐reduced RBC units or 3 PLT concentrates were pooled and divided to prevent donor‐dependent differences. The units were transferred 10 times over (1) tubing with a T‐SCD weld, (2) a CompoDock S2 weld, or (3) unwelded tubing. RBCs were stored for 42 days and free hemoglobin (Hb) was measured; PLT concentrates were stored for 8 days and CD62P expression was measured, as markers for blood component quality (n = 10 paired experiments).RESULTS:  WBC‐reduced RBC units had similar hemolysis at the end of storage: 0.47 ± 0.28, 0.47 ± 0.35, and 0.49 ± 0.38 percent of total Hb, for tubing with a T‐SCD weld, a CompoDock S2 weld, or no weld, respectively (not significant). CD62P expression of stored WBC‐reduced PLT concentrates was not significantly different between the groups: 20.3 ± 5.1, 19.8 ± 5.1, and 22.3 ± 9.8 percent for tubing with a T‐SCD weld, a CompoDock S2 weld, or no weld, respectively.CONCLUSION:  The quality of blood components, measured as RBC hemolysis and platelet CD62P expression, is not adversely affected by the presence of a sterile connection in the tubing, made by either the CompoDock S2 or the T‐SCD.
A weak blood group A phenotype caused by a translation‐initiator mutation in the ABO gene
Authors: Seltsam Axel , Das Gupta Christa , Bade‐Doeding Christina , Blasczyk Rainer 
Published: January 2006

BACKGROUND:  Weak blood group A and B phenotypes are correlated with ABO glycosyltransferases exhibiting single‐amino‐acid changes and/or C‐terminal modifications.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  A healthy donor diagnosed as having weak A antigen expression and his two children were subjected to extensive ABO typing. HeLa cells were used to transfect ABO expression plasmids.RESULTS:  The donor's red blood cells were type AweakB and his serum sample contained weakly reactive anti‐A1 antibodies. A single T>C transition identified at the +2 position of the start codon of an ABO*A101 allele predicted the disruption of this methionine codon. In the transfection studies, a significant reduction of A activity was observed on HeLa cells transfected with a plasmid containing the variant ABO*A allele. Coexpression of the respective antithetical ABO*B101 wild‐type construct further reduced cell surface A antigen expression. Similar expression results were obtained with ABO constructs in which the Met1 start codon and five alternative start sites at codons 20, 26, 43, 53, and 69 had successively been interrupted.CONCLUSION:  The donor's weak blood group A phenotype most likely resulted from expression of an N‐truncated A transferase triggered by alternative translation start sites in the transmembrane domain or stem region.
Mortality differences among organisms causing septicemia in hemodialysis patients
Authors: DANESE Mark D. , GRIFFITHS Robert I. , DYLAN Michelle , YU Hsing‐Ting , DUBOIS Robert , NISSENSON Allen R. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractSepticemia is a serious problem in hemodialysis patients because it can lead to life‐threatening complications and a persistently elevated risk of death. Most analyses have not examined whether there are differences in mortality risk among the organisms that cause these episodes of septicemia. This study was a retrospective cohort analysis of first septicemia hospitalizations during the first year of hemodialysis. Time to death (both in‐hospital and within 12 weeks post‐discharge) was compared among the different septicemia‐causing organisms based on discharge diagnoses in Medicare billing data from 1996 to 2001. The effect of various complications on mortality risk was also evaluated. There were 22,130 septicemia hospitalizations identified. The most common organism identified was Staphylococcus aureus (27%), with no other organism having an incidence >10%. The overall unadjusted death rate from admission through 12 weeks of follow‐up was 34%. During the first hospitalization, the death rate was 14%, and during the 12‐week period after the hospitalization it was 20%. In adjusted analyses, S. aureus was associated with a 20% higher risk of death both during the in‐hospital period and the 12‐week post‐discharge period, when compared with all other specified organisms. Hospitalizations complicated by meningitis, stroke, or endocarditis were also associated with increased risk of mortality, independent of the organism causing septicemia. Septicemia hospitalizations are associated with a high mortality rate—both during the initial hospitalization and after discharge. Meningitis, stroke, and endocarditis represent particularly serious complications. Overall, septicemia hospitalizations (especially for S. aureus) are serious events, and patients would benefit from better treatment and prevention.
Extravascular lung water index: A new method to determine dry weight in chronic hemodialysis patients
Authors: KUHN Christian , KUHN Andrea , RYKOW Kai , OSTEN Bernd 
Published: January 2006

AbstractTo assess the dry weight of chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients, the extravascular lung water index (ELWI) as a volume parameter was investigated to identify fluid overload. Forty‐two patients (30 males, 12 females) with a mean age of 55.7±13.0 years who were clinically not overhydrated were connected to the PiCCO system before starting HD treatment. We determined ELWI (normal range 3–7 mL/kg) and the following parameters: global end‐diastolic volume index (GEDI, normal range 680–800 mL/m2) and intrathoracic blood volume index (ITBI, normal range 850–1000 mL/m2) before and after HD to assess the volume status. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), aldosterone, and renin as vasoactive hormones were measured at the beginning and at the end of HD treatment as well. In 28 of the 42 patients (67%), elevated values of ELWI were found, indicating interstitial volume overload. There were significant correlations between ELWI and cardiac function index (p=0.003; Pearson's coefficient−0.451), global ejection fraction (p=0.012; Pearson's coefficient −0.389), ITBI (p=0.004; Pearson's coefficient 0.437), and GEDI (p=0.004; Pearson's coefficient 0.437). No significant relations among ELWI and mean arterial pressure (MAP), BNP, aldosterone, and renin were found. In conclusion, the use of ELWI is safe in chronic HD patients and identifies fluid‐overloaded patients, who show no obvious signs of hypervolemia. The determination of ELWI is an excellent method to quantify the exact volume in chronic HD patients.
Radiotherapy of basal cell carcinoma of the face and head: Importance of low dose per fraction on long‐term outcome
Authors: Olschewski Thomas , Bajor Katharina , Lang Birgit , Lang Eugen , Seegenschmiedt Michael H. 
Published: January 2006

Summary Background: Radiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma of the face and head and achieves cure rates of 92‐96 %. Different fractionation concepts of radiotherapy have been described.This study investigates the efficacy, as well as acute and chronic toxicity, of a slightly hypofractionated radiotherapy schedule. Patients and Methods: 85 patients with 104 tumors underwent radiotherapy for basal cell carcinoma of the face and head. The radiotherapy schedule was 5×3 Gray/week up to a total dose of 57 Gray in 95 % of patients. Acute and late radiotherapy toxicity and cosmetic outcome were evaluated in long‐term follow‐up. Results: No recurrence was observed. In 87 % of tumors, only low acute toxicity occurred at the end of radiotherapy. Late toxicity, if observed, was low in most patients. “Excellent” or “good” cosmesis was achieved in 94 % of tumors at last follow‐up. Conclusions: Our radiotherapy schedule achieves a very high local control rate and very good cosmetic and functional results.This fractionation can be recommended as a standardized radiotherapy treatment for basal cell carcinoma of the face and head.
A Readable Earlier Renaissance: Small Adjustments, Large Changes
Authors: Coldiron A. E. B. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract“Readability” of several kinds is a problem in Renaissance or early modern literature. One way to enhance the readability of early modern texts is to adjust the (admittedly artificial) period boundary that begins the traditional “Renaissance.” Unlike the historically‐based boundaries of regnal years (1485, 1509), a slightly earlier date, 1476, implies a conception of “Renaissance” that takes as its pivotal starting point the establishment of the printing press in England. The earlier date thus refocuses our analysis of the period to systems of production, distribution, and reception that directly create and shape Renaissance literature. Such an adjustment also accomplishes a wider category challenge, since the literature of the early print period is qualitatively different from the more familiar literature of the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. This essay explains that to shift the starting point of inquiry about “Renaissance” is to challenge the whole period concept and to invite new critical narratives about the period that will make it more “readable” in several senses (legible, historically comprehensible, lisible, literally accessible, etc.). The essay also reviews similar, recent, challenges to other critical concepts in early modern studies: to authorship, genre, theme, canon, method. Such challenges have been generative of greater “readability” and growth in the field.
How we do it: The Owa (Addenbrookes) grommet
Authors: Bray D. , Owa A. 
Published: January 2006

Keypoints• Grommet insertion is one of the most common procedures performed under general anaesthesia.• The authors describe an innovative grommet that, through an anatomically contoured and user friendly design has been designed to minimize anaesthetic time by facilitating and expediting its placement and/or removal.
A randomized trial of Rapid Rhino Riemann and Telfa nasal packs following endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Cruise A.S. , Amonoo‐Kuofi K. , Srouji I. , Kanagalingam J. , Georgalas C. , Patel N.N. , Badia L. , Lund V.J. 
Published: January 2006

Objectives:  To compare Telfa with the Rapid Rhino Riemann nasal pack for use following endoscopic sinus surgery.Design:  Prospective, randomized, double‐blind, paired trial.Setting:  Tertiary otolaryngology hospital.Participants:  Forty‐five adult patients undergoing bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery for either chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyps.Main outcome measures:  A visual analogue scale was used to assess discomfort caused by the presence of the packs in the nose and by their removal. The amount of bleeding was noted with the packs in place and following their removal. Crusting and adhesions were assessed 2 and 6 weeks following surgery.Results:  Both packs performed well giving good haemostasis and causing little bleeding on removal. Both packs caused only mild discomfort while in the nose. On the visual analogue scale of 0–10 cm the mean visual analogue score for Rapid Rhino Riemann pack was 1.7 and for Telfa 2.0 (P = 0.371). The Rapid Rhino Riemann pack caused significantly less pain on removal compared with the Telfa pack with a mean visual analogue score of 2.0 in comparison with 3.7 for Telfa (P = 0.001). There were less adhesions with the Rapid Rhino Riemann than Telfa pack but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.102).Conclusions:  Both Telfa and Rapid Rhino Riemann packs can be recommended as packs that control postoperative haemorrhage, do not cause bleeding on removal and cause little discomfort while in the nose. The Rapid Rhino Riemann pack has the advantage of causing significantly less pain on removal.
Do chronic changes in nasal airflow have any physiological or pathological effect on the nose and paranasal sinuses? A systematic review
Authors: Boyce J. , Eccles R. 
Published: January 2006

Keypoints• A reduction in nasal airflow associated with anatomical defects of the nose such as nasal septal deviation has been proposed to cause nasal pathology.• The majority of animal experiments where one nasal passage is surgically closed over several months report only minor changes in the histology of the nasal epithelium and no rhinitis or sinusitis.• Complete abolition of nasal airflow associated with laryngectomy or the treatment of atrophic rhinitis is not associated with the development of rhinitis or sinusitis.• Radiological studies have shown a lack of association between the degree of nasal septal deviation and evidence of rhinosinusitis.• Such studies provide evidence that reduced nasal airflow causes no significant nasal disease.• There is no convincing evidence that a reduction in nasal airflow is a causative factor for rhinitis or sinusitis.
Topical anaesthesia before nasendoscopy: a randomized controlled trial of co‐phenylcaine compared with lignocaine
Authors: Douglas R. , Hawke L. , Wormald P.‐J. 
Published: January 2006

Objective:  To evaluate the relative effectiveness of co‐phenylcaine (lignocaine 5% with phenylephrine) and lignocaine 5% sprays when administered prior to rigid nasendoscopy.Design:  Randomized, double blind controlled study.Setting:  Teaching hospital otolaryngology unit.Participants:  Thirty patients requiring routine outpatient rigid nasendoscopy were administered five puffs of either co‐phenylcaine or lignocaine 5% spray which had been randomly assigned to either the first or the second visit. Ten minutes later nasendoscopy was performed. Immediately after nasendoscopy the ease of performance of the procedure and the quality of the view achieved was rated on a visual analogue scale by the endoscopist and the patients recorded the level of pain experienced on a visual analogue scale. Two weeks later, the patients returned for a repeat nasendoscopy, receiving the alternate spray.Main outcomes measures:  Ease of performance and quality of view of achieved by endoscopists and pain experienced by patients, both measured with visual analogue scales.Results:  The ease of passage of the endoscope and quality of the view obtained was found to be greater after the administration of co‐phenylcaine [visual analogue scores 84 (95% CI: 80–89) than after lignocaine and 77 (95% CI: 73–81) (P < 0.01)]. The two sprays produced similar levels of topical anaesthesia.Conclusions:  Nasendoscopy can be performed with minimal discomfort after the administration of either co‐phenylcaine or lignocaine 5% sprays. The vasoconstricting action of co‐phenylcaine increases the ease of passage of the endoscope and quality of the view obtained by the endoscopist.
Acoustic parameters of snoring sound to compare natural snores with snores during ‘steady‐state’ propofol sedation
Authors: Jones T.M. , Ho M.S. , Earis J.E. , Swift A.C. , Charters P. 
Published: January 2006

Objectives:  To investigate the acoustic similarity between natural and sedation‐induced snores.Design:  Prospective observational study.Setting:  University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK.Participants:  Twenty‐one patients, who had already had overnight snore recordings, completed a pre‐operative sleep nasendoscopic examination. Endoscopic examination of the upper aero‐digestive tract was performed at sequentially increasing, steady‐state sedation levels, using intravenous propofol administered according to a weight/time‐based algorithm to predict blood and effect site (tissue) concentrations. At each sedation level at which snoring occurred, snoring sound was recorded. From these samples, snore files, comprising the inspiratory sound of each snore were created. Similarly, from natural snores recorded pre‐operatively, snore files, comprising the inspiratory sounds of the first 100 snores with the patient sleeping in a supine position, were also created.Main outcome measures:  Snore duration (s), loudness (dBA), periodicity (%) and energy ratios for the frequency sub‐bands 0–200, 0–250 and 0–400 Hz.Results:  Snore loudness increased significantly (P < 0.0001), whilst energy ratios for frequency bands 0–200, 0–250 and 0–400 Hz all decreased significantly as sedation level increased (P < 0.001). A significant difference between natural snoring and snoring induced at the lowest sedation level was shown (P < 0.0001). Endoscopic examination was not tolerated at this sedation level.Conclusions:  The acoustic characteristics of sedation‐induced and natural snores are sufficiently different to recommend the need for further research to determine whether the technique of sleep nasendoscopy is, in fact, a valid predictor of outcome of snoring surgery.
How we do it: Septoplasties under local anaesthetic are suitable for short stay surgery; the clinical outcomes
Authors: Hytönen M. , Blomgren K. , Lilja M. , Mäkitie A.A. 
Published: January 2006

Keypoints• Septoplasties can be performed under local anaesthesia. However, careful prevention and treatment of pain during the operation is essential.• Septoplasties are suitable operations for short‐stay surgery.• Two‐years post‐operative, septoplasty relieved the symptoms well or excellently in 55% and moderately in 27% of the cases.• Specialists prescribe more prophylactic antibiotics than residents (47%versus 29%P = 0.02).• Post‐operative antibiotics do not appear to prevent the development of post‐operative infections.
Use of intravenous steroids at induction of anaesthesia for adult tonsillectomy to reduce post‐operative nausea and vomiting and pain: a double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: McKean S. , Kochilas X. , Kelleher R. , Dockery M. 
Published: January 2006

Objective:  To assess the effectiveness of intravenous steroids at induction of anaesthetic to reduce post‐operative nausea and vomiting and pain after adult tonsillectomy.Design:  Prospective, double‐blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial, with ethical approval, following Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines.Setting:  District General Hospital in Scotland, UK.Participants:  Seventy‐two adults between 16 and 70 years, American Association of Anaethetists (ASA) 1, listed for elective tonsillectomy.Intervention:  Single dose of either 10 mg of dexamethasone or 2 mL of saline after induction with a consistent anaesthetic technique.Main outcome measures:  Patients filled in a visual analogue scale relating to pain and post‐operative nausea and vomiting for the day of operation and 7 days after operation. The time to first ingestion of food and drink after operation was also noted.Results:  Data completion rate of 64% (46 of 72 patients enrolled). Statistically significant relative decrease (62%P = 0.001) in the incidence of post‐operative nausea and vomiting was seen in those treated with dexamethasone. Statistically significant relative decrease (23%P = 0.016) in post‐operative pain scores for the day of operation was seen in those treated with dexamethasone. Significant decrease (17.5%, P < 0.001) in mean pain score for seven post‐operative days was seen in those treated with dexamethasone. No adverse effects were seen.Conclusions:  Dexamethasone given as a single dose of 10 mg at induction of anaesthesia for adult tonsillectomy is an effective, safe and inexpensive method for reducing morbidity in adult tonsillectomy.
Envelope Determinants for Dual-Receptor Specificity in Feline Leukemia Virus Subgroup A and T Variants
Authors: Cheng Heather H. , Anderson Maria M. , Hankenson F. Claire , Johnston Lily , Kotwaliwale Chitra V. , Overbaugh Julie 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTGammaretroviruses, including the subgroups A, B, and C of feline leukemia virus (FeLV), use a multiple-membrane-spanning transport protein as a receptor. In some cases, such as FeLV-T, a nonclassical receptor that includes both a transport protein (Pit1) and a soluble cofactor (FeLIX) is required for entry. To define which regions confer specificity to classical versus nonclassical receptor pathways, we engineered mutations found in either FeLV-A/T or FeLV-T, individually and in combination, into the backbone of the transmissible form of the virus, FeLV-A. The receptor specificities of these viruses were tested by measuring infection and binding to cells expressing the FeLV-A receptor or the FeLV-T receptors. FeLV-A receptor specificity was maintained when changes at amino acid position 6, 7, or 8 of the mature envelope glycoprotein were introduced, although differences in infection efficiency were observed. When these N-terminal mutations were introduced together with a C-terminal 4-amino-acid insertion and an adjacent amino acid change, the resulting viruses acquired FeLV-T receptor specificity. Additionally, a W→L change at amino acid position 378, although not required, enhanced infectivity for some viruses. Thus, we have found that determinants in the N and C termini of the envelope surface unit can direct entry via the nonclassical FeLV-T receptor pathway. The region that has been defined as the receptor binding domain of gammaretroviral envelope proteins determined entry via the FeLV-A receptor independently of the presence of the N- and C-terminal FeLV-T receptor determinants.
Structure-Function Analysis of the Epitope for 4E10, a Broadly Neutralizing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Antibody
Authors: Brunel Florence M. , Zwick Michael B. , Cardoso Rosa M. F. , Nelson Josh D. , Wilson Ian A. , Burton Dennis R. , Dawson Philip E. 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTThe human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) neutralizing antibody 4E10 binds to a linear, highly conserved epitope within the membrane-proximal external region of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp41. We have delineated the peptide epitope of the broadly neutralizing 4E10 antibody to gp41 residues 671 to 683, using peptides with different lengths encompassing the previously suggested core epitope (NWFDIT). Peptide binding to the 4E10 antibody was assessed by competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and theKdvalues of selected peptides were determined using surface plasmon resonance. An Ala scan of the epitope indicated that several residues, W672, F673, and T676, are essential (>1,000-fold decrease in binding upon replacement with alanine) for 4E10 recognition. In addition, five other residues, N671, D674, I675, W680, and L679, make significant contributions to 4E10 binding. In general, the Ala scan results agree well with the recently reported crystal structure of 4E10 in complex with a 13-mer peptide and with our circular dichroism analyses. Neutralization competition assays confirmed that the peptide NWFDITNWLWYIKKKK-NH2could effectively inhibit 4E10 neutralization. Finally, to limit the conformational flexibility of the peptides, helix-promoting 2-aminoisobutyric acid residues and helix-inducing tethers were incorporated. Several peptides have significantly improved affinity (>1,000-fold) over the starting peptide and, when used as immunogens, may be more likely to elicit 4E10-like neutralizing antibodies. Hence, this study represents the first stage toward iterative development of a vaccine based on the 4E10 epitope.