bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photochemical inactivation with amotosalen and long‐wavelength ultraviolet light of Plasmodium and Babesia in platelet and plasma components
Authors: Grellier Philippe , Benach Jorge , Labaied Mehdi , Charneau Sébastien , Gil Horacio , Monsalve Gloria , Alfonso Ryan , Sawyer Lynette , Lin Lily , Steiert Matthias , Dupuis Kent 
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND: Transfusion‐transmitted cases of malaria and babesiosis have been well documented. Current efforts to screen out contaminated blood products result in component wastage due to the lack of specific detection methods while donor deferral does not always guarantee safe blood products. This study evaluated the efficacy of a photochemical treatment (PCT) method with amotosalen and long‐wavelength ultraviolet light (UVA) to inactivate these agents in red blood cells (RBCs) contaminating platelet (PLT) and plasma components.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasmodium falciparum– and Babesia microti–contaminated RBCs seeded into PLT and plasma components were treated with 150 µmol per L amotosalen and 3 J per cm2 UVA. The viability of both pathogens before and after treatment was measured with infectivity assays. Treatment with 150 µmol per L amotosalen and 1 J per cm2 UVA was used to assess the robustness of the PCT system.RESULTS: No viable B. microti was detected in PLTs or plasma after treatment with 150 mol per L amotosalen and 3 J per cm2 UVA, demonstrating a mean inactivation of greater than 5.3 log in PLTs and greater than 5.3 log in plasma. After the same treatment, viable P. falciparum was either absent or below the limit of quantification in three of four replicate experiments both in PLTs and in plasma demonstrating a mean inactivation of at least 6.0 log in PLTs and at least 6.9 log in plasma. Reducing UVA dose to 1 J per cm2 did not significantly affect the level of inactivation.CONCLUSION: P. falciparum and B. microti were highly sensitive to inactivation by PCT. Pathogen inactivation approaches could reduce the risk of transfusion‐transmitted parasitic infections and avoid unnecessary donor exclusions.
Regional and temporal variation in American Red Cross blood donations, 1995 to 2005
Authors: Crawford Stephen O. , Reich Nicholas G. , An Ming‐Wen , Brookmeyer Ron , Louis Thomas A. , Nelson Kenrad E. , Notari Edward P. , Trouern‐Trend Jonathan , Zou Shimian 
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND: Maintaining a stable blood supply is a critical goal of the American Red Cross Blood Services. Extensive Red Cross data provided the opportunity to assess both long‐term and short‐term trends in the variation of weekly blood donations.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Overall trends and week‐to‐week variation in donation rates were assessed in volunteer, whole‐blood donations from 1995 to 2005 among three Red Cross donor regions: the Connecticut region, the Greater Chesapeake and Potomac (Maryland) region, and the Southern California region, adjusting for population change, calendar time, age, sex, and donor region.RESULTS: Weekly donation rates varied widely by region, ranging from 3.5 donations per 10,000 persons in Southern California to 10.2 donations per 10,000 in Connecticut. Week‐to‐week variation in donation rates within each region was also quite high. Typical swings in weekly donation rates ranged from 38 percent in Connecticut to 56 percent in Southern California. Week‐to‐week variation was also 103 percent higher (95% confidence interval [CI], 87%‐120%) among 18‐ to 24‐year‐old donors, compared to 25‐ to 44‐year‐olds, ranging from 32 to 49 percent. By comparison, week‐to‐week variation among adults 25 and older was more stable, ranging from 16 to 21 percent.CONCLUSION: This study suggests that there is a great deal of variation in donation rates, particularly among the youngest donors. Improving recruitment and retention among these donors will be critical to maintaining an adequate blood supply as the donor population ages.
Thrombin generation before and after multicomponent blood collection
Authors: Cimenti Christina , Sipurzynski Sabine , Gallistl Siegfried , Rosenkranz Andrea , Hiden Michael , Leschnik Bettina , Schallmoser Katharina , Lanzer Gerhard , Muntean Wolfgang E. 
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND: Apheresis technology has made tremendous progress up to the development of automated blood component collection, which offers increased efficiency in donor blood use, but the concern about the contact of donor blood with artificial surfaces remains. Activation of the hemostatic system is a major issue in this context and is controversial. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of apheresis on continuous thrombin generation (TG), representing a new tool to examine the overall function of the plasmatic clotting system.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty‐six voluntary blood donors, fulfilling the law requirement for apheresis donation, participated in the study. Two units of platelets (6 × 1011) and 1 unit of red cells (250 mL; hematocrit level, 80%) were collected using two types of cell separators (Amicus, Fenwal, Inc.; and Trima Accel, Gambro BCT). Each donor underwent collection on both apheresis systems with at least 8 weeks in between. Samples of blood were collected before, immediately after, and 48 hours after apheresis. TG was measured using a slow fluorogenic substrate by means of calibrated automated thrombography (CAT).RESULTS: CAT data changed only slightly, and no significant changes were seen before, immediately after, and 48 hours after apheresis (p > 0.05). The variables did not differ significantly between the two different apheresis systems (p > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Using a CAT‐based technique, no change in variables of continuous TG were observed, suggesting that multicomponent blood collection did not lead to severe alterations in the hemostatic system of the donors.
Microchimerism decades after transfusion among combat‐injured US veterans from the Vietnam, Korean, and World War II conflicts
Authors: Utter Garth H. , Lee Tzong‐Hae , Rivers Ryan M. , Montalvo Lani , Wen Li , Chafets Daniel M. , Reed William F. , Busch Michael P. 
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusion after traumatic injury can result in microchimerism (MC) of donor white cells (WBCs) in the recipient as late as 2 to 3 years postinjury, the longest prospective follow‐up to date. The purpose of this study was to determine how long transfusion‐associated MC lasts after traumatic injury.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A group of US combat veterans who received transfusions who responded to a recruitment notice was retrospectively evaluated. Their blood was sampled, and MC was assessed by quantitative allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction detection of differences at the HLA‐DR locus or a panel of insertion‐deletion polymorphism loci. Results of veterans were compared to those from an age‐ and gender‐matched blood donor control group, from whom WBCs were retrieved from leukoreduction filters.RESULTS: Among 163 combat veterans who received transfusion and 150 control subjects who did not receive transfusions, 16 (9.8%) of the veterans and 1 (0.7%) control subject had evidence of MC (relative risk, 14.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.0‐110). The veterans with MC included 3 who served in WWII (7% of subjects from that conflict), 5 in Korea (18%), and 6 in Vietnam (7%).CONCLUSIONS: Transfusion for combat‐related injury can result in MC that lasts for 60 years, suggesting that it may involve permanent engraftment. MC is rare among male blood donors who did not receive transfusions, who are probably representative of individuals who have not had postnatal allogeneic exposures.
Long‐term serologic follow‐up of blood donors with biologic false reactivity on an anti‐human T‐cell lymphotropic virus Types I and II chemiluminescent immunoassay and implications for donor management
Authors: Kiely Philip , Thomas Brian , Kebede Mekonnen 
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND: This study reports the results of the long‐term serologic follow‐up of blood donors who gave an index biologic false‐reactive (BFR) result on an anti‐human T‐lymphotropic virus Types I and II (HTLV‐I and ‐II) chemiluminescent immunoassay (ChLIA).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: All allogeneic whole‐blood and apheresis donors who gave an index BFR result on a HTLV‐I and ‐II ChLIA between May 10, 1997, and December 31, 2004, were included in the study. Donors were followed up for an additional 2 years until December 31, 2006.RESULTS: A total of 332 donors gave an index BFR donation during the study period. Donors were divided into five groups based on results of donations subsequent to the index BFR donation: 89 (26.8%) donors gave only nonreactive donations subsequent to the index BFR result, 56 (16.9%) donors gave only BFR donations, 43 (13.0%) gave one or more subsequent BFR donations before giving only nonreactive donations, 59 (17.8%) donors gave intermittent BFR and nonreactive donations, and 85 (25.6%) donors gave no further donations during the study period. The estimated mean duration of biologic false reactivity from the time of the index BFR donation in donors who gave only a single BFR result was 7.0 (1.4‐42.75) months and 23.3 (4.1‐92.25) months in those donors who gave several BFR results before giving nonreactive donations. Modeling of the data indicated that notification and deferral of donors after two consecutive BFR donations would result in the deferral of 143 of 332 (43.1%) of donors with an index BFR result while allowing donors to give three BFR results would reduce the number of deferred donors to 74 of 332 (22.3%).CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that although biologic false reactivity is usually transient, the time for resolution is variable. Allowing donors to give two or three BFR results before notification and deferral is one strategy that would substantially reduce the number of donors requiring deferral.
Bacterial detection in apheresis platelets: blood systems experience with a two‐bottle and one‐bottle culture system
Authors: Su Leon L. , Kamel Hany , Custer Brian , Vanderpool Sandi , Harpool Dennis , Busch Michael , Tomasulo Peter 
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND: United Blood Services (UBS) began bacterial testing of platelets (PLTs) using one‐bottle cultures in September 2003. Collection of 7‐day PLTs using two‐bottle cultures began in April 2006. This study compares our experience using both systems.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: PLTs from 13 UBS regional centers cultured from September 1, 2003, to September 1, 2007, were included in the analysis. Positive‐signal bottles from a commercially available microbial detection system (BacT/ALERT, bioMérieux) were sent, with corresponding PLTs if available, for confirmatory testing using plate culture media. AABB definitions were used with modifications.RESULTS: A total of 51,265 7‐day PLT collections and 191,521 5‐day PLT collections were tested with bacterial cultures. The overall true‐positive (TP) rate for the two‐bottle system (1:8544) was comparable to the TP rate with the previous one‐bottle system (1:6344). In three of six yield cases, only the anaerobic bottle was positive (two cases of Group D Streptococci, one case of Corynebacterium spp.). The false‐positive (FP) and indeterminate (IND) rates in the anaerobic bottle (1:1767 and 1:1830, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the aerobic bottle (1:6408 and 1:17,088, respectively; p < 0.001). One confirmed transfusion‐related septic reaction, classified as a late TP after investigation, was reported out of 242,786 tested PLT donations.CONCLUSION: The rate of TP cases by the two‐bottle system was not increased over the one‐bottle system, although anaerobic‐bottle‐only positive cases were detected. FP and IND rates were increased in the two‐bottle system, attributable to the anaerobic bottle. Observation of only one documented transfusion‐related septic reaction in 4 years of bacterial screening at UBS is reassuring, although limitations in passive surveillance and higher rates of reactions reported by others indicate the need for continued vigilance.
Dengue virus in blood donations, Puerto Rico, 2005
Authors: Mohammed Hamish , Linnen Jeffrey M. , Muñoz‐Jordán Jorge L. , Tomashek Kay , Foster Gregory , Broulik Amy S. , Petersen Lyle , Stramer Susan L. 
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND: A single instance of transfusion‐transmitted dengue infection has been reported. The high incidence of dengue in endemic countries, the high proportion of asymptomatic infection, and the median 5‐day viremia, however, suggest that transfusion‐associated dengue transmission may be more widespread than documented.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The prevalence of dengue virus (DENV) RNA was determined in all blood donations to the American Red Cross in Puerto Rico from September 20 to December 4, 2005, using a specific type of nucleic acid amplification test called transcription‐mediated amplification (TMA). TMA‐positive donations were defined as those having two repeatedly reactive TMA results. TMA‐positive donations were tested by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and by viral culture.RESULTS: Twelve (0.07%) of 16,521 blood donations tested were TMA‐positive. Four were positive by RT‐PCR (DENV serotypes 2 and 3). Virus was cultured from 3 of 4 RT‐PCR–positive donations. One of the 12 TMA‐positive donations was IgM‐positive. Only 5 donations remained TMA‐positive when diluted 1:16, as is done for routine minipool screening for other transfusion‐transmissible viral infections (hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency, West Nile viruses [WNVs]).CONCLUSION: Nearly 1 in 1000 blood donations contained DENV RNA, and virus could be cultured from TMA‐positive donations, suggesting a transfusion transmission risk similar to that which existed in the United States for WNV before universal donation screening. Similar to WNV, IgM antibody screening is likely to be ineffective, and some potentially infectious donations will be missed by minipool screening. Transfusion transmission should be considered in patients with dengue after blood transfusion.
Relative importance of consumptive and non‐consumptive effects of predators on prey and plant damage: the influence of herbivore ontogeny
Authors: Thaler Jennifer S. , Griffin Celine A. M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe non‐consumptive (or trait‐mediated) effects of predators on prey are known to contribute substantially to the negative impact of insect predators on herbivorous insects. Our goal now is to understand what factors alter the relative importance of the consumptive (or density‐mediated) and non‐consumptive components of the total predator impact. This is important both for understanding the effects of predators in natural systems as well as for successfully manipulating predators for biological control in agriculture. In this study, we tested whether herbivore ontogeny influenced the contribution of consumptive and non‐consumptive effects of a predator on herbivore survivorship and plant damage by the herbivores. We addressed these questions using the native plant Solanum ptychanthum Dunal (Solanaceae), the predator Podisus maculiventris Say (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), and first‐, third‐, and fourth‐instar Manduca sexta L. (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). In field cage experiments, we found that first‐ and third‐instar M. sexta were more vulnerable to predators compared to fourth instars. In the presence of predators, M. sexta caterpillars spent less time on feeding compared to caterpillars in the absence of predators. The amount of damage the plants received was reduced in the presence of the predator and the consumptive and non‐consumptive components contributed approximately equally to this reduction. Thus, the non‐consumptive component of the predator is important for all of the herbivore stages vulnerable to predation in our study. We conclude with a discussion of possible implications of considering non‐consumptive effects of predators in biological control of agricultural pests.
Age‐dependent normative values for differential luminance sensitivity in automated static perimetry using the Octopus 101
Authors: Hermann Agnes , Paetzold Jens , Vonthein Reinhard , Krapp Elke , Rauscher Stephan , Schiefer Ulrich 
Published: May 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  To determine age‐dependent normative differential threshold values for the Octopus 101 instrument and to create a smooth mathematical model characterizing the age‐dependency and asymmetry of the hill of vision.Methods:  Static automated perimetry within the central 30° visual field (VF) was conducted with the Octopus 101 (background luminance 10 cd/m2) in 81 eyes of 81 ophthalmologically healthy subjects (11–12 per decade of age) aged 10–79 years.A 4‐2‐2 staircase strategy with three reversals was run. The test point grid consisted of 68 concentrically arranged points with test point condensation towards the VF centre, representing the approximately rotation‐symmetrical 30° hill of vision. Thresholds of differential luminance sensitivity (DLS) were estimated by the maximum likelihood method. A smooth mathematical model was fitted to the normative data.Results:  The model fit was satisfactory (r2 = 0.74). Covariables were: age, eccentricity, angle and subject. Total random standard deviation (SD) was 1.75 dB. The residual SD exceeded 1.75 dB in the border region, was 1.5 dB within the centre and fell below 1.25 dB in a ring around the centre. Average thresholds of DLS varied with age quadratically. It is close to constant for the 10–40–year‐old age group and declines ever more steeply thereafter. The effect of age on DLS in the VF increased with eccentricity. The greatest drop was located in the peripheral superior hemifield: at 25° eccentricity the superior DLS was estimated to be 5.5 dB higher in 10‐year‐olds than in 75‐year‐olds.Conclusions:  This new smooth model allows for the prediction of age‐related normal threshold values for any stimulus location within the 30° VF and thus for the calculation of global and local measures of defect such as mean defects or p‐values for any type of stimulus.
Two studies on suicidality in the postpartum
Authors: Pinheiro R. T. , Da Silva R. A. , Magalhães P. V. S. , Horta B. L. , Pinheiro K. A. T. 
Published: May 2008

Objective:  Research in the prevalence of and risk factors for suicidality in the postpartum is extremely limited. We present here data on the prevalence of and factors associated with suicidality from two postpartum samples.Method:  The first sample (SC) comprised 317 women consecutively screened for a trial of psychotherapy for postpartum depression. The second sample was a population‐based (PB) sample of 386 women. We used the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to assess suicidality in the SC sample and the self‐harm question of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI9) in the PB sample.Results:  According to the MINI and the BDI9, prevalence of high suicide risk was 5.7% and 11.1%, respectively, in the SC sample. Previous suicide attempts and a positive BDI were retained as predictors of suicidality. The BDI9 indicated suicidality in 8.3% of the 386 women in the PB sample; a positive BDI was retained in the multivariate analysis as a risk of suicidality.Conclusion:  Clinicians should enquire vigorously about suicidality in women presenting with depressive symptoms or previous suicide attempts in the postpartum.
Alexithymia and cognitive behaviour therapy outcome for subthreshold depression
Authors: Spek V. , Nyklíček I. , Cuijpers P. , Pop V. 
Published: May 2008

Objective:  Alexithymia is hypothesized to be a stable trait that hinders favourable outcomes of psychotherapy. We tested two hypotheses: i) alexithymia is not stable but changes along with a change in depressive symptoms and ii) pretreatment alexithymia hinders gaining benefits from psychotherapy.Method:  A total of 201 participants (mean age = 54 years, SD = 4.4) with subthreshold depression were treated with cognitive behaviour therapy. Outcome was defined as the change in depressive symptoms from pretreatment to post‐treatment and to 1‐year follow‐up.Results:  Changes in depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with changes in alexithymia. Baseline alexithymia scores were not correlated with treatment outcome.Conclusion:  Alexithymia is less stable than hypothesized: changes in alexithymia were associated with change in depressive symptoms. Furthermore, alexithymia does not hinder cognitive behaviour therapy outcome.
‘Physical or psychological?’– a comparative study of causal attribution for chronic fatigue in Brazilian and British primary care patients
Authors: Cho H. J. , Bhugra D. , Wessely S. 
Published: May 2008

Objective:  Causal attribution influences symptom experience, help‐seeking behaviour and prognosis in chronic fatigue syndrome. We compared causal attribution of patients with unexplained chronic fatigue (UCF) in Brazil and Britain.Method:  Primary care attenders in São Paulo (n = 3914) and London (n = 2459) were screened for the presence of UCF. Those with UCF (São Paulo n = 452; London n = 178) were assessed for causal attribution (physical vs. psychosocial), perceived chronicity (i.e. reported duration of fatigue) and disability.Results:  British UCF patients were more likely to attribute their fatigue to physical causes (adjusted odds ratio 1.70, P = 0.037) and perceived their fatigue to be more chronic (adjusted beta 0.15, P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in current disability (adjusted beta −0.01, P = 0.81).Conclusion:  Despite similar disability levels, UCF patients in different cultural settings presented different attributions and perceptions about their illness. Sociocultural factors may have an important role in shaping illness attribution and perception around chronic fatigue.
Twins discordant for schizophrenia: psychopathology of the non‐schizophrenic co‐twins
Authors: Argyropoulos S. V. , Landau S. , Kalidindi S. , Toulopoulou T. , Castle D. J. , Murray R. M. , Picchioni M. M. 
Published: May 2008

Objective:  Patients with schizophrenia are more likely to suffer from mood and anxiety disorders compared with the general population. We explored the aetiology of this comorbidity using a twin study design.Method:  We applied an additive genetic + unique environment (AE) random effects model in the analysis of 35 non‐schizophrenic co‐twins from pairs discordant for schizophrenia, and 131 control twins.Results:  Non‐schizophrenic co‐twins had significantly increased rates of depression (P = 0.006) and anxiety disorders (P = 0.021) compared with the control twins.Conclusion:  Our results provide evidence for a familial association between schizophrenia and anxiety and depression. This could reflect common aetiological factors contributing to each of the disorders. Future studies should attempt to investigate the relative genetic and environmental contribution to the shared risk factors for schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders.