bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can mandatory pretransfusion approval programmes be improved?
Authors: Hawkins T. E. , Carter J. M. , Hunter P. M. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY. To improve the appropriateness of blood‐component prescribing, a mandatory haematologist pretransfusion approval programme of all non‐red‐cell components was instituted. This was associated with a 33% decrease in the units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfused. Platelet transfusions increased but utilization of both platelets and FFP are now the lowest of the six comparable blood transfusion regions in New Zealand.A subsequent concurrent audit, using preset criteria, of FFP, cryoprecipitate and platelet usage over a 3‐month period showed that further reductions in blood component usage could still be achieved, despite the continuing pretransfusion approval policy. This audit showed that 33% of FFP and 30% of cryoprecipitate units transfused were inappropriately given, despite prior haematologist approval.Hospital transfusion practices can be improved by mandatory blood‐component pretransfusion approval but concurrent auditing of this programme is required to identify and correct continuing inappropriate blood‐component prescribing. Haematologists need to agree on blood‐component indications prior to instituting a pretransfusion approval programme in order to provide optimal management.
Hepatitis C (HCV)‐positive blood donors in South‐West England: a case control study
Authors: Goodrick M. J. , Gray S. F. , Rouse A. M. , Waters A. J. , Anderson N. A. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY. The aim of this study was to compare the socio‐demographic characteristics and risk factors in anti‐HCV positive blood donors with those of matched controls. The participants were 50 hepatitis C antibody (HCV) positive blood donors and 50 matched blood donors with no evidence of HCV infection, who gave blood to the South Western Transfusion Centre between November 1991 and July 1992. A confidential structured interview was conducted to collect socio‐demographic data and to elicit information on risk factors for HCV. Measurements were made of the prevalence of risk factors and socio‐demographic characteristics in cases and controls.The main results were that 45 of the 50 cases could have been exposed to HCV by previous intravenous drug abuse (IVDA), blood transfusion or medical employment. Cases were significantly more likely to have a history of IVDA, tattooing or of medical employment than matched controls. Cases with no history of IVDA were significantly more likely to have had a blood transfusion.The key conclusions to emerge are that current policies are ineffective at excluding those with a history of IVDA from the donor pool. Consideration should be given to the introduction of a policy of direct confidential questioning about risk factors for all donors, or, at a minimum, the use of a questionnaire.
Feasibility and usefulness of an efficient anti‐HBc screening programme in blood donors
Authors: Allain J.‐P. , Reeves I. , Kitchen A. D. , Wenham D. , Williamson L. M. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY. Post‐transfusion hepatitis B remains a risk for recipients of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screened blood. Anti‐hepatitis B core antibody (anti‐HBc) screening may help reduce this risk. To evaluate its usefulness, 9,238 East Anglian blood donors were screened for anti‐HBc. Those with isolated anti‐HBc were identified with two confirmatory anti‐HBc and anti‐HB surface antibody (anti‐HBs) assays. The prevalence of anti‐HBc reactions in screening and confirmatory assays was 1.29% and 0.35%, respectively. The level of reactivity was significantly higher when two anti‐HBc assays gave concordant results or, being concordant, were anti‐HBs positive. All isolated anti‐HBc‐positive units (0.04%) were negative for additional HBV markers including DNA tested with nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR).A 0.31% prevalence of past HBV infection was found in this population, all carrying both anti‐HBc and anti‐HBs antibody, most above the protective level (0.IU/ml).The proposed screening schemes would limit the number of deferred donors and discarded units and keep the testing time within the remit of routine blood banking practices for an additional cost of approximately £1 per unit. However, no evidence was found in this donor population to suggest that anti‐HBc screening would significantly reduce the incidence of post‐transfusion hepatitis B.
Comparison of the Lewis phenotypes among the different population groups of Taiwan
Authors: Broadberry R. E. , Lin M. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. In Caucasians, three red cell Lewis phenotypes are observed, namely Le (a+b‐), Le (a‐b+) and Le (a‐b‐). For Chinese living in Taiwan the Le (a+b‐) phenotype is replaced by the Le (a+b+) phenotype so that the three red cell Lewis phenotypes observed in Chinese are Le (a+b+), Le (a‐b+) and Le (a‐b‐). In addition, Chinese individuals with Le (a‐b‐) red cells can be subdivided into two groups, namely those who secrete both ABH and Lewis substances in saliva and those who secrete only ABH substances in saliva.However, four red cell Lewis phenotypes Le (a+b‐), Le (a+b+), Le (a‐b+) and Le (a‐b‐) are observed among some of the indigenous groups living in Taiwan. Red cell Le (a+b‐) individuals among these indigenous groups can also be subdivided into at least two groups, namely those with Leaand Lebin saliva (plus varying amounts of ABH substances) and those with just Leain saliva. The former are most likely a weak form of the red cell Le (a+b+) phenotype while the latter appear to be similar to the Caucasian red cell Le (a+b‐) phenotype. There was also one red cell Le (a+b‐) individual whose saliva had a small amount of A substance as well as Leasubstance and therefore appeared to be intermediate between the above two forms of the Le (a+b‐) phenotype.
Genetic markers for the production of US country hams
Authors: Ramos A.M. , Glenn K.L. , Serenius T.V. , Stalder K.J. , Rothschild M.F. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of candidate genes on processing quality traits of US country hams. A total of 321 fresh hams of unknown breed and sex were examined and data on quality and physical traits were collected. The hams were then processed following typical US commercial dry‐curing procedures for ham and data on additional traits were collected from the cured hams. Several genes involved in biological processes affecting dry‐cured ham production were selected. Polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) tests were designed for each of the genes where polymorphisms were discovered and association analyses between each marker and the traits collected were performed. Results showed that two genetic markers were significantly associated with cured weight and yield: (i) a gene from the cathepsin family (cathepsin F) and (ii) the stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (delta‐9‐desaturase) gene, involved in lipid metabolism. Moreover, markers that significantly affected colour traits and those having a significant impact on pH and lipid percentage were also identified. These markers could be used for screening and sorting of carcasses prior to ham processing and, eventually in pig improvement programmes designed to select animals possessing genotypes more suitable for the production of dry‐cured hams.
Treatment of epilepsy: the GABA‐transaminase inhibitor, vigabatrin, induces neuronal plasticity in the mouse retina
Authors: Wang Qing‐Ping , Jammoul Firas , Duboc Agnès , Gong Jie , Simonutti Manuel , Dubus Elisabeth , Craft Cheryl M. , Ye Wen , Sahel José A. , Picaud Serge 
Published: April 2008

AbstractVigabatrin was a major drug in the treatment of epilepsy until the discovery that it was associated with an irreversible constriction of the visual field. Nevertheless, the drug is still prescribed for infantile spasms and refractory epilepsy. Disorganization of the photoreceptor nuclear layer and cone photoreceptor damage have been described in albino rats. To investigate the vigabatrin‐elicited retinal toxicity further, we examined the retinal tissue of albino mice treated with two vigabatrin doses. The higher dose did not always cause the photoreceptor layer disorganization after 1 month of treatment. However, it triggered a massive synaptic plasticity in retinal areas showing a normal layering of the retina. This plasticity was shown by the withdrawal of rod but not cone photoreceptor terminals from the outer plexiform layers towards their cell bodies. Furthermore, both rod bipolar cells and horizontal cells exhibited dendritic sprouting into the photoreceptor nuclear layer. Withdrawing rod photoreceptors appeared to form ectopic contacts with growing postsynaptic dendrites. Indeed, contacts between rods and bipolar cells, and between bipolar cells and horizontal cells were observed deep inside the outer nuclear layer. This neuronal plasticity is highly suggestive of an impaired glutamate release by photoreceptors because similar observations have been reported in different genetically modified mice with deficient synaptic transmission. Such a synaptic deficit is consistent with the decrease in glutamate concentration induced by vigabatrin. This description of the neuronal plasticity associated with vigabatrin provides new insights into its retinal toxicity in epileptic patients.
Serotonin modulates transmitter release at central Lymnaea synapses through a G‐protein‐coupled and cAMP‐mediated pathway
Authors: McCamphill P. K. , Dunn T. W. , Syed N. I. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractNeuromodulation is central to all nervous system function, although the precise mechanisms by which neurotransmitters affect synaptic efficacy between central neurons remain to be fully elucidated. In this study, we examined the neuromodulatory action of serotonin [5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT)] at central synapses between identified neurons from the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. Using whole‐cell voltage‐clamp and sharp electrode recording, we show that 5‐HT strongly depresses synaptic strength between cultured, cholinergic neuron visceral dorsal 4 (VD4 − presynaptic) and its serotonergic target left pedal dorsal 1 (LPeD1 − postsynaptic). This inhibition was accompanied by a reduction in synaptic depression, but had no effect on postsynaptic input resistance, indicating a presynaptic origin. In addition, serotonin inhibited the presynaptic calcium current (ICa) on a similar time course as the change in synaptic transmission. Introduction of a non‐condensable GDP analog, GDP‐β‐S, through the presynaptic pipette inhibited the serotonin‐mediated effect on ICa. Similar results were obtained with a membrane‐impermeable inactive cAMP analog, 8OH‐cAMP. Furthermore, stimulation of the serotonergic postsynaptic cell also inhibited presynaptic currents, indicating the presence of a negative feedback loop between LPeD1 and VD4. Taken together, this study provides direct evidence for a negative feedback mechanism, whereby the activity of a presynaptic respiratory central pattern‐generating neuron is regulated by its postsynaptic target cell. We demonstrate that either serotonin or LPeD1 activity‐induced depression of presynaptic transmitter release from VD4 involves voltage‐gated calcium channels and is mediated through a G‐protein‐coupled and cAMP‐mediated system.
Genetic enhancement of trace fear memory and cingulate potentiation in mice overexpressing Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase IV
Authors: Wu Long‐Jun , Zhang Xue‐Han , Fukushima Hotaka , Zhang Fuxing , Wang Hansen , Toyoda Hiroki , Li Bao‐Ming , Kida Satoshi , Zhuo Min 
Published: April 2008

AbstractLong‐term potentiation (LTP) is a key cellular model for studying mechanisms for learning and memory. Previous studies reported that the Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) is critical for gene regulation, and behavioral learning and memory. Less is known about the roles of CaMKIV in cortical plasticity and trace fear memory. Here we have found that LTP was significantly enhanced in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of the mice overexpressing CaMKIV. By contrast, neither α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor‐mediated basal excitatory synaptic transmission nor N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor‐mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents were affected. Furthermore, paired‐pulse ratio in the transgenic mice is normal. In behavioral tests, we found that the CaMKIV transgenic mice exhibited significant enhancement in trace fear memory, while the acute sensory thresholds were not affected. Our results provide strong evidence that forebrain CaMKIV contributes to trace fear memory by enhancing synaptic potentiation in the ACC.
Who should be followed up after transanal endoscopic resection of rectal tumours?
Authors: Speake D. , Lees N. , McMahon R. F. T. , Hill J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractObjective  To determine follow‐up requirements following transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) for rectal tumours based on clinical and histopathological assessment of resection specimens.Method  A consecutive series of 117 patients undergoing TEM between 1997 and 2005 was studied. The excised specimens were classified as intact with clear surgical resection margins, macroscopically intact specimens with microscopically involved resection margins or piecemeal. Recurrence rates were determined for the three groups.Results  Of the 117 procedures performed, 80 were for benign disease and 37 for malignancy. Within the benign group 39 (49%) resections were intact with clear surgical resection margins and yielded zero recurrences; 22 (27%) resections were macroscopically intact with microscopically involved surgical resection margin and yielded two recurrences; and 19 (24%) resections were piecemeal and yielded eight recurrences. Within the malignant group all 37 patients had resection specimens which were intact with clear surgical resection margins. Two patients had immediate salvage surgery. Of the 35 who went on to long‐term follow‐up post‐TEM (0.6–8.1 years, median 4) four developed recurrent cancer (two local with submucosal disease and two liver metastases).Conclusion  For benign rectal neoplasms, resection of an intact specimen with histologically clear surgical resection margins was associated with no observed mucosal recurrence. Local recurrence after TEM is significantly more frequent when histological examination reveals involved margins or when resection is piecemeal. Early endoscopic follow up is required for the latter two groups. Local recurrence for malignant cases was submucosal and detected by palpation.
The pervasive influence of sampling and methodological artefacts on a macroecological pattern: the abundance–occupancy relationship
Authors: Wilson Peter D. 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTAim To investigate the influence of sampling and methodological artefacts on the correlation between abundance and occupancy.Location Global scope.Methods A fixed effects weighted regression model was fitted to standardized effect size for 175 examples of correlations between abundance and occupancy. A regression tree model with standard effect size as the dependent variable was also fitted to the data.Results Standard effect size, and therefore the correlation between abundance and occupancy, was found to be strongly influenced by the type of abundance measure used to characterize the abundance–occupancy relationship. Local mean abundance (also referred to as ecological mean abundance) was primarily responsible for negative correlations. Negative correlations also resulted from a mismatch in the sampling extents of abundance and occupancy measures.Main conclusions The combination of abundance and occupancy measures selected to characterize the abundance–occupancy relationship for a given set of data has a profound impact on the sign of the correlation between the selected measures. Previous attempts to understand the processes giving rise to the pattern represented by the abundance–occupancy relationship have confounded sampling artefacts (e.g. spatial extent of abundance and occupancy information) and methodological artefacts (e.g. combining a truncated abundance measure such as local mean abundance with an untruncated occupancy measure such as proportion of occupied samples). Thus, a revision of the approach currently used to define and evaluate competing explanatory models of the abundance–occupancy relationship appears to be necessary.
Latitudinal variation of diversity in European freshwater animals is not concordant across habitat types
Authors: Hof Christian , Brändle Martin , Brandl Roland 
Published: April 2008

ABSTRACTAim  We analysed the variation of species richness in the European freshwater fauna across latitude. In particular, we compared latitudinal patterns in species richness and β‐diversity among species adapted to different habitat types.Location  Europe.Methods  We compiled data on occurrence for 14,020 animal species across 25 pre‐defined biogeographical regions of European freshwaters from the Limnofauna Europaea. Furthermore, we extracted information on the habitat preferences of species. We assigned species to three habitat types: species adapted to groundwater, lotic (running water) and lentic (standing water) habitats. We analysed latitudinal patterns of species richness, the proportion of lentic species and β‐diversity.Results  Only lentic species showed a significant species–area relationship. We found a monotonic decline of species richness with latitude for groundwater and lotic habitats, but a hump‐shaped relationship for lentic habitats. The proportion of lentic species increased from southern to northern latitudes. β‐Diversity declined from groundwater to lentic habitats and from southern to northern latitudes.Main conclusions  The differences in the latitudinal variation of species richness among species adapted to different habitat types are in part due to differences in the propensity for dispersal. Since lentic habitats are less persistent than lotic or groundwater habitats, lentic species evolved more efficient strategies for dispersal. The dispersal propensity of lentic species facilitated the recolonization of central Europe after the last glaciation. Overall, we stress the importance of considering the history of regions and lineages as well as the ecological traits of species for understanding patterns of biodiversity.
Decomposing Local: A Conjoint Analysis of Locally Produced Foods
Authors: Darby Kim , Batte Marvin T. , Ernst Stan , Roe Brian 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIncreasingly, foods are marketed as “locally grown.” We use stated preference data from a choice‐based conjoint instrument to address two issues surrounding consumer demand for locally produced goods: (1) what is the geographical extent of “local,” and (2) is the value consumers place on “local” production distinct from other factors that are often confounded with locally produced foods such as farm size and product freshness? We find our subjects place similar value on products produced “in state” and “nearby” and that consumers' willingness to pay for local production is independent from values associated with product freshness and farm size.
Tractors on eBay: Differences between Internet and In‐Person Auctions
Authors: Diekmann Florian , Roe Brian E. , Batte Marvin T. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe provide a systematic examination of the differences between Internet and in‐person auction prices for used tractors. A hedonic model estimated with transactions pooled between eBay and in‐person auctions reveals statistically distinct price surfaces for the two auction venues and predicts significantly lower prices for comparable equipment sold on eBay, though this difference is attenuated for tractors fully covered by eBay's buyer protection program and is fully absent for the most frequently traded tractor. An endogenous venue selection model reveals that larger, more valuable tractors from states with more valuable stocks of machinery are more likely to be offered on eBay.
A System Comparison Approach to Distinguish Two Nonseparable and Nonnested Agricultural Household Models
Authors: Sonoda Tadashi 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis study distinguishes two nonseparable agricultural household models for a self‐employed farm household. One assumes heterogeneity of farm and nonfarm labor and a competitive market for nonfarm labor. The other assumes homogeneity of the two types of labor and a restricted market for nonfarm labor. We compare demand systems that are derived from them, which have different dependent variables and different numbers of equations. We apply a Cox‐type test to compare these complicated nonnested systems. Results show clearly that the former is better for Japanese rice‐farming households. Comparison of price elasticities for those models verifies the importance of that test.
Insourcing, Outsourcing, and Unemployment in the Spanish Auto Industry
Authors: Truett Lila J. , Truett Dale B. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis paper examines the role of outsourced intermediate goods, together with capital, labor, and insourced intermediate products, as inputs in Spain's motor vehicle production. Its findings are consistent with statistically significant economies of scale. Capital and labor are found to be substitutes, as are most of the other input pairs. However, capital and outsourced intermediate goods and labor and insourced intermediate goods appear to have complementary relationships, and the latter relationship has become stronger over the period of study. Any actions that decrease the price of one of the inputs in a complementary pair will increase the demand for the other input. Since labor and outsourced intermediate goods appear to be substitutes, a decrease in import prices as a result of further European integration will decrease the demand for domestic labor and exacerbate Spain's unemployment problem. A similar result holds for insourced and outsourced intermediate goods.
Welfare‐Worsening Aid Flows To Small Countries: The Role of Nontraded Goods
Authors: Tokarick Stephen 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis paper presents the circumstances under which foreign aid can immiserize a small, tariff‐distorted economy, highlighting the role played by the nontraded sector in generating this outcome. An inflow of aid, provided in the form of an increase in the capital stock, can reduce real income of a small, tariff‐distorted economy if: (i) the inflow results in an increase in the price of the nontraded good and the nontraded good and imports are sufficiently strong complements in demand; or (ii) if the inflow leads to a reduction in the price of the nontraded good and the nontraded good and imports are substitutes in demand, provided the degree of substitutability is not too large.