bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of glycoprotein Ibα in phagocytosis of platelets by macrophages
Authors: Badlou Bahram A. , Spierenburg Gerrit , Ulrichts Hans , Deckmyn Hans , Smid W. Martin , Akkerman Jan‐Willem N. 
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND: Platelet (PLT) storage at 0 to 4°C suppresses bacterial multiplication, but induces clusters of glycoprotein (GP) Ibα that trigger their phagocytosis by macrophages and reduce their survival after transfusion. A method was sought that detects cold‐induced changes in GPIbα involved in phagocytosis.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Human PLTs were isolated and stored for up to 48 hours at 0°C. Binding of a phycoerythrin (PE)‐labeled antibody directed against amino acids (AA) 1‐35 on GPIbα (AN51‐PE) was compared with phagocytosis of PLTs by matured monocytic THP‐1 cells, analyzed by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting.RESULTS: Freshly isolated PLTs were detected as a single population of AN51‐PE–positive particles and showed less than 5 percent phagocytosis. Cold storage led to a decrease in AN51‐PE binding and an increase in phagocytosis. N‐Acetylglucosamine, known to interfere with macrophage recognition of GPIbα clusters, restored normal AN51‐PE binding to cold‐stored PLTs and suppressed phagocytosis.CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that binding of an antibody against AA 1‐35 on GPIbα reflects changes in GPIbα that make PLTs targets for phagocytosis by macrophages.
Sterility testing of cell therapy products: parallel comparison of automated methods with a CFR‐compliant method
Authors: Khuu Hanh M. , Patel Nayana , Carter Charles S. , Murray Patrick R. , Read Elizabeth J. 
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND: Automated blood culture systems are not FDA‐approved for sterility testing of human cells, tissues, or cellular‐ or tissue‐based products. It was previously demonstrated that BacT/ALERT (bioMérieux) and Bactec (Becton Dickinson) were superior to the manual CFR method described in the general biologics regulations, in rates of detection and time to detection of organisms seeded into mock mononuclear cell products with a variety of background media and antibiotics. In this study, the two automated systems were compared to the CFR method for sterility testing of actual cell therapy products manufactured in our facility.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Over a 36‐month period, in‐process and final product samples from all cell therapy products manufactured in our facility were tested for sterility both by the CFR method and by either BacT/ALERT or Bactec. Products were categorized according to collection and processing variables for analysis of results.RESULTS: For 1617 samples of a broad range of cell therapy products, rates of true‐positive tests were comparable for the automated and CFR methods (2.3% vs. 2.1%), but the CFR method had higher rates of false‐positive results (7.3% vs. 0.2%). For automated systems, time to detection of organisms was equivalent to, or faster than, the CFR method.CONCLUSION: Compared to the CFR method, both BacT/ALERT and Bactec are more sensitive, faster in time to detection, less prone to false‐positive results, and less labor‐intensive. Both of these automated systems are suitable for sterility testing of cell therapy products after site‐specific validation has been performed.
An easy RHD genotyping strategy for D– East Asian persons applied to Korean blood donors
Authors: Luettringhaus Timo A. , Cho Duck , Ryang Dong Wook , Flegel Willy A. 
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND: In East Asian populations RHD alleles are known to occur frequently among D– donors, requiring suitable genotyping strategies. The molecular basis of the “RHDel” allele previously reported in Taiwan to harbor a genomic 1013‐bp deletion was questioned by several authors.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The presence of the RHD gene was investigated in 126 random serologic D– blood donors from Gwangju, southwest Korea. Four donors who typed weakly positive for the D antigen were also analyzed. RH alleles were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with sequence‐specific priming (PCR‐SSP) or nucleotide sequencing.RESULTS: Seventy‐five percent of the serologically D– samples lacked the RHD gene, 10 percent carried the hybrid RHD‐CE(2‐9)‐D2 or RHD‐CE(2‐7)‐D2 alleles, 13 percent represented the RHD(K409K), and 2 percent were weak D type 15 and type 17. Among the four donors typing weak D, two carried weak D type 15, one RHD(K409K), and one the novel weak D type 43. Critical molecular characteristics of RHD(K409K) and its population frequencies were indistinguishable to those reported for the RHDel allele.CONCLUSION: Korean RHD allele frequencies are comparable to Chinese and Japanese frequencies. It is concluded that the RHDel allele may actually not exist but is identical to RHD(K409K). A practical RHD genotyping strategy applicable to D– donors in all East Asian populations was devised. The strategy requires four PCR‐SSP procedures only for RHD intron 4 and exon 7 as well as RHD(K409K) and non‐RHD(K409K).
New mutation in the platelet β3‐integrin gene: implication for the diagnosis of fetomaternal alloimmunization
Authors: Bertrand Gerald , Bianchi Frederic , Chenet Christophe , Martageix Corinne , Blanchet Patricia , Bäumler Marcel , Kaplan Cecile 
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND: Fetal ventriculomegaly is a relatively common finding and fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia may be one of the causes.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Such a case discovered at 21 weeks of gestation leading to platelet (PLT) immunologic testing is reported here. PLT genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–sequence‐specific primers (SSPs) method and PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Serologic investigation was done with the monoclonal antibody–specific immobilization of PLT antigens technique.RESULTS: The mother was found to be HPA‐1b homozygous and the father HPA‐1a homozygous with PCR‐SSP, but the mother was found to be HPA‐1 heterozygous by phenotyping. This result was confirmed by PCR‐RFLP. Sequencing of the glycoprotein IIIa exon 3 revealed a heterozygous mutation 262T>C, which does not induce an amino acid change. It is localized in the sequence of the antisense primer of the HPA‐1 PCR‐SSP, inducing the sole amplification of the DNA copy bearing the HPA‐1b allele.CONCLUSION: Even if such mutations are a rare event, PLT phenotyping is still of interest to avoid rare false PLT typing assignation, the unknown polymorphism being only discovered by such a combination of techniques.
Evaluation of prenatalRHDtyping strategies on cell‐free fetal DNA from maternal plasma
Authors: Grootkerk‐Tax Martine G.H.M. , Soussan Aicha Ait , De Haas Masja , Maaskant‐van Wijk Petra A. , Van Der Schoot C. Ellen 
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND:The discovery of cell‐free fetal DNA in maternal plasma led to the development of assays to predict the fetal D status withRHD‐specific sequences. Few assays are designed in such a way that the fetus can be typed inRHDψmothers and thatRHDψfetuses are correctly typed. Owing to the limited knowledge about the mechanism responsible for the presence of fetal DNA in maternal plasma, precautions in developing prenatal genotyping strategies must be made.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:Real‐time quantitative (RQ)‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were developed for prenatal diagnostic use with cell‐free fetal DNA from maternal plasma. An RQ‐PCR assay onRHDexon 5 (amplicon 361 bp), negative onRHDψ, was developed with genomic DNA and evaluated with cell‐free fetal DNA. A previously publishedRHDexon 5 RQ‐PCR (amplicon 82 bp) was duplexed with an in‐house developedRHDexon 7 RQ‐PCR and evaluated with cell‐free fetal DNA from pregnant D–RHDψ+ women.RESULTS:TheRHDexon 5 361 bp assay showed on cell‐free plasma DNA from D– women carrying a D+ fetus, low amplification levels, resulting in high Ct values and false‐negative results. Owing to fragmentation of cell‐free plasma DNA, too few DNA stretches of sufficient length (>360 bp) are present. TheRHDexon 5 82 bp and exon 7 RQ‐PCR duplex was evaluated withRHDψ+ cell‐free plasma DNA and showed complete specificity and maximal sensitivity.CONCLUSION:Assays designed for prenatal genotyping should be developed and evaluated on cell‐free plasma DNA. PrenatalRHDtyping is accurate with theRHDexon 5 82 bp and exon 7 duplex strategy.
In‐frame triplet deletions inRHDalter the D antigen phenotype
Authors: Flegel Willy A. , Eicher Nicole I. , Doescher Andrea , Hustinx Hein , Gowland Peter , Mansouri Taleghani Behrouz , Petershofen Eduard K. , Bauerfeind Ursula , Ernst Manfred , Von Zabern Ingeborg , Schrezenmeier Hubert , Wagner Franz F. 
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND:The deletion of three adjacent nucleotides in an exon may cause the lack of a single amino acid, while the protein sequence remains otherwise unchanged. Only one such in‐frame deletion is known in the twoRHgenes, represented by theRHCEalleleceBPexpressing a “very weak e antigen.”STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:Blood donor samples were recognized because of discrepant results of D phenotyping. Six samples came from Switzerland and one from Northern Germany. The molecular structures were determined by genomic DNA nucleotide sequencing ofRHD.RESULTS:Two different variant D antigens were explained byRHDalleles harboring one in‐frame triplet deletion each. Both single‐amino‐acid deletions led to partial D phenotypes with weak D antigen expression. Because of their D category V‐like phenotypes, theRHD(Arg229del) allele was dubbedDVL‐1and theRHD(Lys235del) alleleDVL‐2. These in‐frame triplet deletions are located in GAGAA or GAAGA repeats of theRHDexon 5.CONCLUSION:Partial D may be caused by a single‐amino‐acid deletion in RhD. The altered RhD protein segments in DVL types are adjacent to the extracellular loop 4, which constitutes one of the most immunogenic parts of the D antigen. These RhD protein segments are also altered in all DV, which may explain the similarity in phenotype. At the nucleotide level, the triplet deletions may have resulted from replication slippage. A total of nine amino acid positions in an Rhesus protein may be affected by this mechanism.
The restricted use of IGHV3 superspecies genes in anti‐Rh is not limited to hyperimmunized anti‐D donors
Authors: Dohmen Serge E. , Verhagen Onno J.H.M. , Muit Jessica , Ligthart Peter C. , Van Der Schoot C. Ellen 
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND:Antibodies produced against the D antigen make use ofIGHVgenes restricted to theIGHV3superfamily. These findings are based on theIGHVgene analysis in anti‐D–producing B cells from hyperimmunized donors, however, and therefore the restriction might be due to the hyperimmunization. In this study theIGHVgene usage of anti‐Rh–producing B cells in a woman who was immunized in the last trimester of her pregnancy was analyzed.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:Serologic analysis was performed by absorption and elution. Antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of the different anti‐Rh was determined. A phage display library was constructed from 2.2 × 106isolated B cells and pannings were performed with red cells of the r′r, R1R1, and R2R2 phenotype.RESULTS:A plasma sample of the immunized person showed high levels of both anti‐D and anti‐G and low levels of anti‐C. Anti‐D and anti‐G contributed equally strong to the ADCC whereas anti‐C did not. Eighteen anti‐D–, 5 anti‐G–, and 1 anti‐C–specific phage clones were found, of which 16, 2, and 1 used theIGHV3sgenes, respectively.CONCLUSION:For the first time a restriction to theIGHV3sgenes in anti‐D in a naturally immunized pregnant woman is shown. Moreover, the use ofIGHV3sgenes appears to be present in anti‐C and anti‐G as well. Therefore, it is concluded that restrictedIGHV3sgene usage in anti‐D is not due to hyperimmunization but due to characteristics of the Rh antigens and the intrinsic binding capacities ofIGHV3sgenes, supporting the common Rh footprint hypothesis.
The Canadian donor health assessment questionnaire: can it be improved?
Authors: Goldman Mindy , Ram Shefali S. , Yi Qi‐Long , O’Brien Sheila F. 
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND: The donor health assessment questionnaire (DHAQ) plays an important role in ensuring blood safety. The Canadian DHAQ has been developed over many years on an ad hoc basis and has never been evaluated in light of cognitive science principles. In addition, donor attitudes about its mode of administration have not been assessed.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Between May and August 2005, a total of 456 donors participated in the study by completing the DHAQ, followed by a short, scripted interview assessing recall (as an indicator of attention to the questions) of 17 specific items queried on the DHAQ and attitudes toward interviewer or self‐administration of the DHAQ.RESULTS: Overall, 7.5 percent of donors were able to correctly identify all 17 items. Recall was best for questions asked as individual items (87%‐99%) and decreased substantially for items that are part of a list (55%‐91%). Position effects were demonstrated, with items at the end of a list being the most frequently forgotten. Twenty percent of repeat donors favored the current practice of interviewer administration of high‐risk questions, whereas 80 percent were neutral or favored self‐administration.CONCLUSION: The current format of the Canadian DHAQ is not optimal for donor attention to specific questions asked as part of a list. The majority of repeat donors are ready for a change in the method of administration of the DHAQ. Studies on donor recall may help guide evidence‐based changes to the DHAQ.
Hematomas in multicomponent apheresis: searching for related factors
Authors: Bueno José Luis , Castro Emma , García Fernando , Barea Luisa , González Rocío 
Published: November 2006

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify donation variables that could be related to the development of hematoma during multicomponent apheresis collections (MACs).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This is an observational retrospective study where 1375 donors donated 5177 MACs during a 2‐year period with two different machines (Amicus Crescendo [AC], Baxter Healthcare Corp.; and Trima Accel [TA], Gambro BCT). Variable data were recorded prospectively. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, generalized estimating equations were used with an exchangeable correlation matrix to take into account the nonindependence of several measurements from the same donor.RESULTS: During the study period, 170 procedures failed due to hematoma (3.3%). Several variables were related to hematoma development in the adjusted model: operator experience (less than 500 procedures supervised vs. more; odds ratio [OR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19‐2.31), previous apheresis donations (first time vs. more than 16 donations; OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.52‐5.45), vein canalized (basilic vs. intermediate antebrachial or cephalic; OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.04‐1.94), diastolic blood pressure (units divided by 10 mmHg; OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66‐0.94), and type of machine used (TA high return limit configuration [RLC] setting configuration vs. AC; OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.27‐2.96; TA low RLC setting configuration vs. AC; OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.83‐1.84).CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that hematoma in MAC is not a random event. Appropriate machine configuration in the TA could reduce the hematoma rate to a level comparable with that of the AC. Operator training and donor blood pressure are also interesting variables for study because these could be modified to reduce the hematoma rate.
High‐Density Mapping of Spontaneous Pulmonary Vein Activity Initiating Atrial Fibrillation in Humans
Authors: ARENTZ THOMAS , HAEGELI LAURENT , SANDERS PRASHANTHAN , WEBER REINHOLD , NEUMANN FRANZ JOSEF , KALUSCHE DIETRICH , HAÏSSAGUERRE MICHEL 
Published: November 2006

Introduction: High‐density three‐dimensional (3D) mapping of the pulmonary vein (PV)‐left atrial (LA) junction was performed to characterize spontaneous PV activity in humans. Methods and Results: The activation patterns of ectopic beats and of the initial 2 seconds of atrial fibrillation (AF) from the PVs were analyzed using a 64‐poles basket catheter. A focal mechanism was defined as a discrete site of early and centrifugal activation. Continuous activity was considered as an activation covering ≥80% of the tachycardia beat‐to‐beat cycle length within the mapping field. In 35 patients, 123 spontaneous focal ectopic beats that did not induce AF and 95 that did induce AF were mapped. The mean coupling interval of ectopic discharges not inducing AF was 281 ± 70 msec versus 236 ± 90 msec for ectopies initiating AF (P ≤ 0.01). The first ectopic activity of all 218 arrhythmogenic events showed exclusively a focal mechanism. During the 95 episodes of AF initiation, one or two ectopic beats from the PVs initiated AF in the LA in 39%, a stable focal tachycardia was recorded in 14%, continuous activity with important changes in cycle length (35 ± 15 msec) suggestive of decremental or fibrillatory conduction was found in 18%, and in 29% the activation pattern could not be classified. No stable and sustained reentrant circuit could be identified by our mapping tool in the PV‐LA junction. Conclusions: Arrhythmogenic activity from PVs in humans is predominantly due to discrete focal activity.
Transvenous Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Implantation in a Patient with Tricuspid Mechanical Prosthesis
Authors: BIFFI MAURO , BERTINI MATTEO , ZIACCHI MATTEO , BORIANI GIUSEPPE 
Published: November 2006

Background. A 64‐year‐old woman was referred to our center because of poorly tolerated ventricular tachycardia (VT) at 210 bpm due to an old myocardial infarction. The patient had been operated on at age of 20 for mitral valve commissurolysis, at age of 49 for ductal carcinoma, at age of 56 for mitral valve replacement, and at age of 61 for tricuspid valve replacement. Left ventricular EF was 31%. The patient was in permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) since the age of 53. She had undergone three cardiac surgery procedures, ending with two prosthetic mechanical valves. The cardiac surgery team advised against an epicardial ICD implantation. Results. We achieved a fully transvenous implant, with a screw‐in defibrillation coil in the low right atrium and a bipolar pacing/sensing lead in a posterolateral branch of the coronary sinus. Pacing/sensing parameters were reliable, and effective defibrillation occurred at 20 J by a stepdown protocol. During 16‐month follow‐up, three VT episodes at 210 bpm were terminated by antitachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy. Left ventricular pacing/sensing was stable at long term. Conclusion. Thanks to technologic improvements, transvenous ICD implantation is feasible and safe in patients with a tricuspid mechanical prosthesis.
Genotypic variation in cold tolerance influences the yield of Miscanthus
Authors: Farrell A.D. , Clifton‐Brown J.C. , Lewandowski I. , Jones M.B. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWhen grown in Europe, Miscanthus genotypes often produce yields lower than their potential due to late emergence of shoots in the spring or to damage from late frosts when shoots emerge too early. Here, we investigate genotypic variation in the base temperature (Tb) for shoot emergence and in the lethal temperature for shoots (LT50) in four Miscanthus genotypes. In all genotypes, lowering temperature increased the time to shoot emergence, with Tb ranging from 8.6°C in Sac‐5 to 6°C in Sin‐H9. Frost treatments below −8°C resulted in a marked reduction in growth in all four genotypes. Sin‐H9 was the most frost tolerant with an LT50 of −9.3°C. There was little variation found in leaf osmotic potential, but leaf moisture content was significantly lower in Sin‐H9 than in the other genotypes. The lower thermal requirement for emergence and lower LT50 seen in Sin‐H9 was incorporated into a model of Miscanthus production. The model showed an extended growing season that was predicted to increase yields by up to 25%.
Localisation of hydrogen peroxide and peroxidase in gametophytes of Ceratopteris richardii (C‐fern) grown in the presence of pathogenic fungi in a gnotobiotic system
Authors: Urs R.R. , Roberts P.D. , Schultz D.C. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe endogenous localisation of peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was detected when gametophytes of the fern, Ceratopteris richardii, were exposed to the plant pathogenic fungi Sclerotium rolfsii and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Phytophthora infestans, an oomycete, in a gnotobiotic system. This was accomplished by light microscopy using 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine, guaiacol and H2O2 and starch potassium iodide (KI) staining procedures, which facilitated the observation of the reaction in vivo and in situ, without physically damaging the tissues. All three staining methods promoted staining at the rhizoid regions. Although most of the cells were destroyed when gametophytes were exposed to S. rolfsii and S. sclerotiorum, there was staining where mycelial growth was confluent with cell walls. A qualitative test confirmed that the colour change in starch KI agar medium, as well as in the histochemical test with starch KI, was because of H2O2 secreted by S. rolfsii or S. sclerotiorum and not because of oxalic acid. When gametophytes were exposed to P. infestans, no infection occurred, but localisation of H2O2 and peroxidase was detected irrespective of staining methods tested. Based on the observation on gametophytes grown in presence of P. infestans, it is possible that the peroxidase in plants coupled with H2O2 may prevent the invasion of nonpathogens by functioning as a barrier. This fern–pathogen model system has potential for application as a tool to study the host–parasite interaction in a gnotobiotic system.
Detection, characterisation and transmission by Macrosteles leafhoppers of watercress yellows phytoplasma in Hawaii
Authors: Borth W.B. , Fukuda S.K. , Hamasaki R.T. , Hu J.S. , Almeida R.P.P. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA new yellows disease of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) in Hawaii has symptoms of reduced leaf size, leaf yellowing and crinkling, and occasionally witches’ brooms. This disease is found on all watercress farms on Oahu but has not yet been found on other Hawaiian islands. Watercress plants were tested for phytoplasma infection by polymerase chain reaction assays using phytoplasma‐specific primers. Amplicons of the expected sizes were produced from all symptomatic plants but not from healthy plants raised from seed. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that watercress yellows was caused by a phytoplasma in the aster yellows group, with sequence similarity to onion yellows from Japan. Six weed species collected from the vicinity of affected watercress farms, Amaranth sp., Eclipta prostrata, Emilia sonchifolia, Plantago major, Myriophyllum aquaticum and Sonchus oleraceus, were also determined to be hosts of this phytoplasma. Leafhoppers, identified as Macrosteles sp. (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae), collected from symptomatic watercress transmitted this phytoplasma to watercress, plantain and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in greenhouse experiments.
Moral Rationalism vs. Moral Sentimentalism: Is Morality More Like Math or Beauty?
Authors: Gill Michael B. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractOne of the most significant disputes in early modern philosophy was between the moral rationalists and the moral sentimentalists. The moral rationalists – such as Ralph Cudworth, Samuel Clarke, and John Balguy – held that morality originated in reason alone. The moral sentimentalists – such as Anthony Ashley Cooper, the third Earl of Shaftesbury, Francis Hutcheson, and David Hume – held that morality originated at least partly in sentiment. In addition to other arguments, the rationalists and sentimentalists developed rich analogies. The most significant analogy the rationalists developed was between morality and mathematics. The most significant analogy the sentimentalists developed was between morality and beauty. These two analogies illustrate well the main ideas, underlying insights, and accounts of moral phenomenology the two positions have to offer. An examination of the two analogies will thus serve as a useful introduction to the debate between moral rationalism and moral sentimentalism as a whole.