bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Basics of flow cytometry–based sterility testing of platelet concentrates
Authors: Mohr Harald , Lambrecht Bernd , Bayer Anette , Spengler Hans‐Peter , Nicol Sven‐Boris , Montag Thomas , Müller Thomas H. 
Published: November 2005

BACKGROUND:  Flow cytometry (FACS) is a common technique in blood banking. It is used, for example, for the enumeration of residual white blood cells in plasma and in cellular blood products. It was investigated whether it can also be applied for sterility testing of buffy coat–derived platelet concentrates (PCs).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Plasma‐reduced PCs were spiked with bacteria and stored at 20 to 24 or 37°C for various times. The following 10 species were used: Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Propionibacterium acnes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Serratia marcescens, and Yersinia enterocolitica. Bacterial DNA was stained with thiazole orange. After the platelets were lysed, bacteria were enumerated by FACS.RESULTS:  All bacteria species used were detectable by FACS. The lower detection limit was approximately 100 bacteria per µL, that is, 105 per mL. In general, the titers measured were 1.2‐ to 3‐fold higher than those determined by colony forming assay. In one case (K. pneumoniae) in which the dot plot of the bacteria cloud overlapped with that of bacteria debris, they were consistently lower. When PC samples were inoculated with approximately 1 colony‐forming unit per mL of bacteria and kept at 37°C, most species were detected within 21 hours or less. Exceptions were E. cloacae and P. acnes, which were detected after 24 to 40 and 64 hours, respectively. At 20 to 24°C, the detection times were strongly prolonged.CONCLUSION:  Sterility testing of PCs by FACS is a feasible approach. The present data suggest incubating PC samples for 20 to 24 hours at 37°C before testing. For slow‐growing bacteria, the incubation period must be prolonged by 1 to 2 days.
Quality control of blood irradiation: determination T cells radiosensitivity to cobalt‐60 gamma rays
Authors: Góes E.G. , Borges J.C. , Covas D.T. , Orellana M.D. , Palma P.V.B. , Morais F.R. , Pelá C.A. 
Published: November 2005

BACKGROUND:  To identify the most appropriate dose for the prevention of transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease, the radiosensitivity of T cells has been determined in blood bags irradiated with X‐rays produced by a linear accelerator and gamma rays derived from the cesium‐137 source of a specific irradiator. In this study, the influence of doses ranging from 500 to 2500 cGy was investigated on T cells isolated from red blood cell (RBC) units preserved with ADSOL and irradiated with a cobalt teletherapy unit.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  A thermal device consisting of acrylic and foam was constructed to store the blood bags during irradiation. Blood temperature was monitored with an automated data acquisition system. Dose distribution in the blood bags was analyzed based on isodose curves obtained with a polystyrene phantom constructed for this purpose. The influence of cobalt‐60 gamma radiation on T cells was determined by limiting‐dilution analysis, which measures clonable T cells. T‐cell content of the mononuclear cell population plated was assessed by flow cytometry with a monoclonal antibody specific for CD3.RESULTS:  Blood temperature ranged from 2 to 4.5°C during irradiation. Dosimetry performed on the phantom showed a homogenous dose distribution when the phantom was irradiated with a parallel‐opposite field. A radiation dose of 1500 cGy led to the inactivation of T cells by 4 log, but T‐cell growth was observed in all experiments. At 2500 cGy, no T‐cell growth was detected in any of the experiments and a greater than 5 log reduction in functional T cells was noted.CONCLUSION:  The results showed that a dose of 2500 cGy completely inactivates T cells in RBC units irradiated with cobalt‐60 source.
Maturation state of dendritic cells during the extracorporeal photopheresis and its relevance for the treatment of chronic graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Spisek Radek , Gasova Zdena , Bartunkova Jirina 
Published: November 2005

BACKGROUND:  Chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGVHD) represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP), a technique used in the treatment of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, has also shown clinical efficacy in the treatment of refractory cGVHD.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  In this study, the dynamics of dendritic cell (DC) activation were investigated during the process of photopheresis in patients treated for refractory cGVHD.RESULTS:  It is reported that myeloid DCs can be isolated from the photopheretic products before retransfusion to the patient. It is shown that DCs in ECP product are in the immature state with respect to the phenotypic and functional characteristics. In contrast to the in vitro–generated monocyte‐derived DCs and DCs not treated by 8‐methoxypsoralen and UVA, they produce significant amounts of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10). They efficiently capture apoptotic lymphocytes and do not induce proliferation of T lymphocytes. They preserve the capacity to be activated by polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid and lipopolysaccharide, however. ECP also induces rapid and massive apoptosis of alloreactive lymphocytes. A model of the potential implication of IL‐10‐producing DCs in the down regulation of harmful alloreactive immune reaction is presented.CONCLUSION:  It is believed that this study provides a novel insight into the mechanisms of action of ECP in the control of cGVHD.
A clinical‐scale expansion of mobilized CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells by use of a new serum‐free medium
Authors: Ivanovic Zoran , Duchez Pascale , Dazey Bernard , Hermitte Francis , Lamrissi‐Garcia Isabelle , Mazurier Frédéric , Praloran Vincent , Reiffers Josy , Vezon Gérard , Boiron Jean‐Michel 
Published: November 2005

BACKGROUND:  The autologous transplantation of CD34+ cells expanded ex vivo in serum‐free conditions dramatically reduces postmyeloablative neutropenia in myeloma patients. In our cell therapy unit, cells for this clinical assay have been expanded under GMP with serum‐free Irvine Scientific (IS) medium with stem cell factor (SCF), granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), and megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF; 100 ng/mL, respectively). Because this clinical‐grade IS medium is no longer available, a new serum‐free medium, Maco Biotech HP01 (Macopharma), was evaluated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Purified CD34+ cells (Isolex 300i, Baxter) from mobilized peripheral blood samples of myeloma patients were thawed, washed, and cultured, as for previous clinical assays. Twenty million CD34+ cells were resuspended per 1 L of SCF‐, G‐CSF‐, and MGDF‐supplemented medium (HP01 or IS), introduced into 3‐L culture bags (AFC), and cultured for 10 days in 5 percent CO2, at 37°C, and at 100 percent humidity.RESULTS:  A higher amplification of total nucleated cells (NCs) and colony‐forming cells (CFCs) was obtained with HP01 medium than with IS medium (42 ± 16.6‐fold vs. 20.5 ± 5.9‐fold for NCs and 26.7 ± 7.4‐fold vs. 15.5 ± 2.5‐fold for CFCs, respectively), whereas an increase in CD34+ cells (3.5 ± 1.2‐fold for HP01 vs. 2.7 ± 1.5‐fold for IS) was not significant. IS medium partially maintained SCID‐repopulating cells (SRC), whereas the culture in HP01 medium fully maintained the stem cell activity for 10 days. A higher frequency of CD41+ cells after expansion in HP01 than in IS medium was also observed.CONCLUSION:  Maco Biotech HP01 medium is suitable for clinical‐scale expansion of CD34+ cells with the SCF, G‐CSF, and MGDF cytokine cocktail, permitting an intensive amplification of CFCs and maintenance of SRCs.
Sex‐dependent up regulation of CD177‐specific mRNA expression in cord blood due to different stimuli
Authors: Wolff Jens‐Christian , Goehring Katrin , Heckmann Matthias , Bux Juergen 
Published: November 2005

BACKGROUND:  The neutrophil‐specific CD177 molecule (NB1 glycoprotein/HNA‐2a) has gained clinical interest because of its involvement in severe antibody‐dependent diseases like transfusion‐related acute lung injury and neonatal alloimmune neutropenia. Up regulation of CD177 in response to different stimuli (granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor, N‐formyl‐Met‐Leu‐Phe, bacterial infections) has been described in adults.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  The regulation of CD177 expression was evaluated on mRNA and glycoprotein levels from cord blood neutrophils of 56 neonates, 38 of them with complications during pregnancy or delivery. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry were used for quantification.RESULTS:  White blood cells from neonates of both sexes showed significantly elevated glycoprotein and mRNA levels compared to adults. In addition, there was a significant mRNA up regulation in female newborns predominantly occurring in cases with pathologic cardiotocogram, premature rupture of the amniotic membrane, and health disorders of the mother.CONCLUSION:  These findings show a significantly increased CD177 expression in neutrophils from newborns compared to adults, which suggests the existence of additional factors being able to stimulate CD177 expression.
Whole‐blood leukodepletion filters as a source of CD34+ progenitors potentially usable in cell therapy
Authors: Ivanovic Zoran , Duchez Pascale , Morgan Doris A. , Hermitte Francis , Lafarge Xavier , Chevaleyre Jean , Praloran Vincent , Dazey Bernard , Vezon Gérard , Boiron Jean‐Michel 
Published: November 2005

BACKGROUND:  Used leukodepletion filters (LDFs), containing billions of white blood cells (WBCs), are discarded. Because the steady‐state blood contains low quantities of stem and progenitor cells that are retained in LDFs, the viability and the functional properties of mononuclear cells (MNCs) and CD34+ cells recovered from LDFs were investigated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  WBCs were recovered from LDFs by use of a closed system. MNCs and CD34+ cells were isolated from freshly LDF‐recovered WBCs or after their overnight incubation. The CD34+ cells were enumerated, as well as the number of colony‐forming unit (CFU)–granulocyte‐macrophage, burst‐forming unit–erythroid, and CFU‐Mixed. The expansion in clinical‐scale volume cultures (serum‐free medium plus stem cell factor, granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor, and megakaryocyte growth and development factor) was performed starting from MNCs, freshly isolated CD34+ cells, and CD34+ cells isolated after overnight incubation of WBCs. The erythroid, megakaryocytic, eosinophilic, and monocyte‐myelocytic lineage differentiation of LDF‐recovered CD34+ cells was challenged in liquid cultures by adding relevant cytokines.RESULTS:  Nearly 450 × 103 viable CD34+ cells were recovered per LDF. These cells exhibit unimpaired colony‐forming ability. It is possible to expand these cells ex vivo, but their response to cytokines is different compared to mobilized peripheral blood and cord blood CD34+ cells. Thus, further work is necessary to optimize their ex vivo expansion. These cells give rise to the mature cells and precursors of erythroid, megakaryocytic, eosinophilic, and monomyelocytic lineage in liquid cultures.CONCLUSION:  MNCs and CD34+ cells recovered from the LDFs exhibit unimpaired functional capacities. Recent development of ex vivo technologies for expansion, retrodifferentiation, and differentiation reinforces the value in cell therapy of these LDG‐recovered peripheral blood progenitor cells that are routinely discarded.
Rhythm Abnormalities in Children with Isolated Ventricular Noncompaction
Authors: ÇELIKER ALPAY , ÖZKUTLU SÜHEYLA , DILBER EMBIYA , KARAGÖZ TEVFIK 
Published: November 2005

Background: Isolated ventricular noncompaction (IVNC) is a serious cardiomyopathy with a generally poor prognosis. It is characterized by the presence of prominent ventricular myocardial trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses, in the absence of other structural heart defects. This cardiomyopathy is usually associated with ventricular dysfunction, thromboembolic events, and rhythm problems.
Methods and Results: This article describes 11 children who have rhythm abnormalities associated with IVNC. On admission, eight children had complaints including palpitation, syncope, heart failure, and bradycardia. Ventricular arrhythmias were diagnosed in four children, sinus node and atrioventricular conductance disturbances in six children, and Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome and associated tachycardia in one child. Three children with ventricular arrhythmias received an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Three patients died of cardiac problems during the follow‐up period.
Conclusion: Since many of rhythm abnormalities, including life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmias, may be seen in patients with IVNC, children with IVNC should be screened for arrhythmias. An ICD may be the best treatment for some of these patients.
Long‐Term Outcomes of a Telephone Intervention After an ICD
Authors: DOUGHERTY CYNTHIA M. , THOMPSON ELAINE ADAMS , LEWIS FRANCES MARCUS 
Published: November 2005

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the long‐term benefits of participating in a structured, 8‐week educational telephone intervention delivered by expert cardiovascular nurses post‐ICD. The intervention was aimed to (1) increase physical functioning, (2) increase psychological adjustment, (3) improve self‐efficacy in managing the challenges of ICD recovery, and (4) lower levels of health care utilization over usual care in the first 12 months post‐ICD. This article reports on the 6‐ and 12‐month outcomes of the nursing intervention trial.
Methods and Results: A two‐group (N = 168) randomized control group design was used to evaluate intervention efficacy with persons receiving an ICD for the secondary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. Measures were obtained at baseline, 6 and 12 months post hospitalization. Outcomes included (1) physical functioning (Patient Concerns Assessment [PCA], Short Form Health Survey [SF‐12], ICD shocks), (2) psychological adjustment (State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI], Centers for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression [CES‐D], fear of dying), (3) self‐efficacy (Sudden Cardiac Arrest–Self‐Efficacy [SCA‐SE], Sudden Cardiac Arrest–Behavior [SCA‐B], Sudden Cardiac Arrest–Knowledge [SCA‐K]), and (4) health care utilization (emergency room [ER] visits, outpatient visits, hospitalizations). Using repeated measures ANOVA, the 6‐ and 12‐month benefits of the intervention over usual care were in reductions in physical concerns (P = 0.006), anxiety (P = 0.04), and fear of dying (P = 0.01), with enhanced self‐confidence (P = 0.04) and knowledge (P = 0.001) to manage ICD recovery. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups on total outpatient visits, hospitalizations, or ER visits over 12 months.
Conclusion: A structured 8‐week post‐hospital telephone nursing intervention after an ICD had sustained 12‐month improvements on patient concerns, anxiety, fear of dying, self‐efficacy, and knowledge. Results may not apply to individuals with congestive heart failure who receive an ICD for primary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest.
Heart Rate Variability Is a Useful Parameter for Evaluation of Anticholinergic Effect Associated with Inducibility of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: SUGIURA HIROTAKA , CHINUSHI MASAOMI , KOMURA SATORU , HIRONO TAKASHI , AIZAWA YOSHIFUSA 
Published: November 2005

Background: Disopyramide is thought to have an advantageous effect for atrial fibrillation (AF) associated with vagal activity because of its anticholinergic effect.
Method: We used a canine vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) model. The monophasic action potential (MAP) duration at 90% repolarization (MAP90), the intraatrial conduction time, the induciblity of AF by electrical stimulation, and the amplitude of high‐frequency component (HF‐amp) of the heart rate variability (HRV) were evaluated before and after the administration of disopyramide (1 mg/kg) (group D, n = 8) or pilsicainide (1 mg/kg) (group P, n = 5).
Results: In group D, HF‐amp decreased in the baseline condition from 1.1 ± 0.6 to 0.6 ± 0.4 ms and the degree of VNS‐induced augmentation of HF‐amp was attenuated from +492% to +127%. VNS‐induced shortening of MAP90 was also attenuated in the right atrium (from −30 ± 15% to −10 ± 6%) and in the left atrium (from −15 ± 9% to −6 ± 6%). In group P, little effect was shown in these parameters. The vagotonic AF became noninducible in all eight experiments in group D, while in only one of five in group P.
Conclusion: The beneficial effect of disopyramide for vagotonic AF is based on the decrease of basal vagal tone and attenuation of the effect of vagal stimulation in the atrial myocardium. HRV is a useful parameter for evaluation of the effect of antiarrhythmic drugs on the autonomic nerve system, and the evaluation of variability may be useful for testing drug efficacy for arrhythmias.
Prolonged Paced QRS Duration as a Predictor for Congestive Heart Failure in Patients with Right Ventricular Apical Pacing
Authors: MIYOSHI FUMITO , KOBAYASHI YOUICHI , ITOU HIROYUKI , ONUKI TATSUYA , MATSUYAMA TAKAAKI , WATANABE NORIKAZU , LIU CHUNGCHANG , KAWAMURA MITSUHARU , ASANO TAKU , MIYATA AKIRA , NAKAGAWA HARUYUKI , TANNO KAORU , BABA TAKAO , KATAGIRI TAKASHI 
Published: November 2005

Background: The recent studies showed that right ventricular (RV) pacing was associated with worsening of heart failure. The aim of this study is to clarify the clinical significance of paced QRS duration during RV pacing to predict congestive heart failure (CHF) patients.
Methods and Results: This study enrolled in 92 patients with atrioventricular block who underwent initial pacemaker implantation. The paced QRS duration was automatically obtained by electrocardiography immediately after pacemaker implantation and then by routine attendance at a pacemaker clinic every 3 months. The paced QRS duration was positively correlated with left ventricular end‐diastolic dimension (P < 0.05) and left ventricular end‐systolic dimension (P < 0.05), and tended to negatively correlate with left ventricular ejection fraction (P = 0.0507). The paced QRS duration immediately after pacemaker implantation was 170.4 ± 18.9 ms. During a mean follow‐up period of 53 ± 16 months, 16 patients developed CHF. We selected as a cut‐off value the nearest whole number (190 ms) that was one standard deviation greater than the mean, and divided into two groups according to baseline paced QRS duration. Patients with a paced QRS duration of <190 ms comprised group A (n = 77, nine of which developed CHF) and the remainder comprised group B (n = 15, seven of which developed CHF). Prolonged paced QRS duration (≥190 ms) was associated with a significant increase in the overall morbidity of CHF (P < 0.05). Additionally, paced QRS duration significantly prolonged during the follow‐up period among group A patients with CHF (P < 0.05), but did not change among patients without CHF.
Conclusion: We concluded that paced QRS duration can be a useful indicator of impaired left ventricular function in patients with RV pacing. Even in patients whose paced QRS duration is relatively shorter, progressive prolongation of paced QRS duration can predict the development of CHF.
Abnormal Heart Rate Turbulence Predicts the Initiation of Ventricular Arrhythmias
Authors: IWASA ATSUSHI , HWA MICHAEL , HASSANKHANI ALBORZ , LIU TAYLOR , NARAYAN SANJIV M. 
Published: November 2005

Background: Abnormal heart rate turbulence (HRT) reflects autonomic derangements predicting all‐cause mortality, yet has not been shown to predict ventricular arrhythmias in at‐risk patients. We hypothesized that HRT at programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) would predict arrhythmia initiation in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.
Methods: We studied 27 patients with coronary disease, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 26.7 ± 9.1%, and plasma B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) 461 ± 561 pg/mL. Prior to arrhythmia induction at PVS, we measured sinus cycles after spontaneous or paced premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) for turbulence onset (TO; % cycle length change following PVC) and slope (TS; greatest slope of return to baseline cycle). T‐wave alternans (TWA) was also measured during atrial pacing.
Results: At PVS, abnormal TO (≥0%) predicted inducible ventricular tachycardia (VT; n = 10 patients; P < 0.05). TO was greater in inducible than in noninducible patients (2.3 ± 3.1% vs –0.02 ± 2.8%, P < 0.05) and correlated with LVEF (P < 0.05) but not with BNP. TS did not differ between groups. Conversely, ambulatory HRT differed significantly from HRT at PVS (TO –0.55 ± 1.08% vs 0.85 ± 3.02%, P < 0.05; TS 2.63 ± 2.09 ms/RR vs 8.70 ± 6.56 ms/RR, P < 0.01), and did not predict inducible VT but trended (P = 0.05) to predict sustained VT on 739 ± 179 days follow‐up. TWA predicted inducible (P < 0.05) and spontaneous (P = 0.0001) VT but did not co‐migrate with HRT.
Conclusions: Abnormal HRT measured at PVS predicted the induction of sustained ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. However, HRT at PVS did not correlate with ambulatory HRT, nor with TWA, both of which predicted spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias. Thus, HRT may reflect the influence of autonomic milieu on arrhythmic susceptibility and is likely complementary to traditional arrhythmic indices.
Contextual Factors Influencing Research Use in Nursing
Authors: French Beverley 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACT Background: Contextual factors are perceived to be significant barriers to research‐utilisation‐related activity, but little is known about how context impacts on specific research‐based decisions, or how the individual interacts with the organisation in the requirement for research‐based change. Aim: This study describes the impact of contextual factors on the practical reasoning of nurse specialists in the construction of policy for practice. Methods: Three groups of clinical nurse specialists were observed during a series of meetings convened to construct evidence‐based guidelines for nursing practice. Transcripts of the meetings were analysed to identify and categorise the physical, social, political, and economic influences on 31 nursing issues. Findings: Multiple contextual factors influenced each decision made, with decisions about nursing practice bounded by setting and system considerations, relationships with others in the care team, and resource constraints. Practitioners were involved in weighing up alternative scenarios, contexts, and contingencies for each decision, requiring strategies to adapt and reconstruct the nature of care, to influence others, and to affect organisational decision‐making processes. Discussion: The practical accomplishment of evidence‐based practice required diverse skills: translating between evidence and practice; mediating the values, preferences, and working practices of multiple stakeholders; negotiating organisational complexity and the management of boundaries; and coordinating inter‐organisational and inter‐agency working. Nurse specialists in this study had a significant role in instigating, fuelling, and coordinating policy review, predominantly by communication across professional and organisational boundaries. Implications/Conclusions: Clinical specialists acting as organisational boundary spanners require skills in the informal cultural work of organising, facilitating, and maintaining links across professional, team, and organisational boundaries. If their role in the negotiation of evidence‐based practice patterns across professional and organisational boundaries is to be successful, wider skills than information management need to be recognised and their development and enactment supported. Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing 2005; 2(4):172‐183