bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The α4β1 and α5β1 integrins mediate engraftment of granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor–mobilized human hematopoietic progenitor cells
Authors: Carstanjen Dirk , Gross Anna , Kosova Nevin , Fichtner Iduna , Salama Abdulgabar 
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND: The α4β1 and α5β1 integrins are major adhesion molecules of murine and human hematopoietic progenitor cells. Granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF)–mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) are the most important source for clinical hematopoietic cell transplantation today. The contribution of α4β1 and α5β1 integrins to homing of PBPCs has not been studied yet.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The expression of α4β1 and α5β1 integrins on purified human PBPCs was analyzed. Integrin function in adhesion to recombinant fibronectin and migration on fibronectin‐coated transwells was assessed with fragments combining different adhesion domains and function‐blocking antibodies. Finally, the function of those integrins in a transplantation model was investigated with repopulating cells of nonobese diabetic/severe combined immune‐deficient (NOD/SCID) mice.RESULTS: More than 90 percent of all purified peripheral blood CD34+ cells express α4β1 integrins, whereas only 10 to 15 percent express α5β1. The α4β1 integrin alone influences adhesion whereas α4β1 and α5β1 both mediate chemotaxis of clonogenic CD34+ progenitor cells on recombinant fibronectin. Importantly, antibodies against the integrins α4β1 and α5β1 independently reduce the repopulation of NOD/SCID mouse marrow after transplantation of human peripheral blood CD34+ cells.CONCLUSIONS: Α4β1 and α5β1 integrins are functional and critical adhesion receptors expressed on G‐CSF–mobilized CD34+ hematopoietic blood progenitor cells with repopulating capacity mediating engraftment after transplantation.
Random survey for RHD alleles among D+ European persons
Authors: Chen Qing , Flegel Willy A. 
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND: RHD alleles are considered more variable in African persons than in European persons. A systematic survey, however, was lacking among D+ European persons at the molecular level, precluding any definite frequency estimate.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A random survey was performed among 500 ccDee, 250 CcDee, and 250 ccDEe blood donors in southwestern Germany. They were tested by polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific priming (PCR‐SSP) for up to 12 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms representative for the most frequent RHD alleles among European persons. The RHD exon 5 nucleotide sequence was also tested in all 1000 samples. The nucleotide sequence of the 10 RHD exons was checked in all samples with aberrant exon 5 or positive PCR‐SSP procedures.RESULTS: By PCR‐SSP, 15 aberrant RHD alleles were found among the 500 ccDee, 2 among the 250 CcDee, and none among the ccDEe samples. One of these was the novel RHD(F223V, E233Q, T379M) allele dubbed DAU‐5. Weak D type 4 was detected more frequently than expected, whereas the population frequencies of the other RHD alleles conformed to published estimates. Nucleotide sequencing of RHD exon 5 further revealed three novel alleles RHD(G212G), RHD(R234W), and RHD(V245L), dubbed DUC‐1, DQC, and DUC‐2.CONCLUSION: In a limited screen at the molecular level among 1000 random D+ donors in southwestern Germany, 20 donors were found carrying aberrant RHD alleles. Four of these alleles were new and likely sporadic. An estimate was derived of the variety that may be encountered in genotyping approaches, and it was concluded that even within the European population the variety of RHD alleles may be larger than anticipated.
Use of B‐natriuretic peptide as a diagnostic marker in the differential diagnosis of transfusion‐associated circulatory overload
Authors: Zhou Lan , Giacherio Donald , Cooling Laura , Davenport Robertson D. 
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND: Transfusion‐associated circulatory overload (TACO) occurs when the transfusion rate or volume exceeds the capacity of a compromised cardiovascular system. Characteristic symptoms and signs associated with TACO are neither sensitive nor specific. B‐natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a 32‐amino‐acid polypeptide secreted from the cardiac ventricles in response to ventricular volume expansion and pressure overload. This study was performed to explore the usage of BNP in the differential diagnosis of TACO.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Pre‐ and posttransfusion BNP levels were determined in 21 patients with suspected TACO and 19 control patients. The BNP was considered significant if the posttransfusion‐to‐pretransfusion ratio was at least 1.5 and the posttransfusion BNP level was at least 100 pg per mL.RESULTS: The BNP test has a sensitivity and specificity of 81 and 89 percent, respectively, in diagnosis of TACO. It has a positive predictive value of 89 percent, a negative predictive value of 81 percent, and an accuracy of 87 percent. In logistic regression analysis, BNP was found to have significant predictive power independent of other clinical variables in models predicting which patients had TACO.CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that in patients who present symptoms suggestive of TACO, BNP can be a useful adjunct marker in confirming volume overload as the cause of acute dyspnea and symptoms related to cardiovascular compromise.
Occurrence of hepatitis A virus genotype III in Germany requires the adaptation of commercially available diagnostic test systems
Authors: Heitmann Alke , Laue Thomas , Schottstedt Volkmar , Dotzauer Andreas , Pichl Lutz 
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND:A blood donation, obtained in 2003 in Germany during the preseroconversion diagnostic window period of a hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, tested HAV‐negative by commercially available HAV reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) detection assays.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:The virus responsible for this infection was identified as HAV genotype IIIA by characterization of the nearly complete genome sequence.RESULTS:Thereby, this HAV variant, which was named strain HMH, was detected in Germany for the first time. Because the commercially available HAV RNA detection systems failed to detect this genotype, a real‐time RT‐PCR kit was developed that allows quantification and detection of all HAV genotypes. The first nearly full‐length nucleotide sequence so far available for HAV genotype IIIA is also provided.CONCLUSION:This case demonstrates that owing to the genetic variability of HAV, constant monitoring and adaptation of the diagnostic nucleic acid assays are required to guarantee the safety of blood and blood products.
In vitro photochemical inactivation of cell‐associated human T‐cell leukemia virus Type I and II in human platelet concentrates and plasma by use of amotosalen
Authors: Jauvin Valérie , Alfonso Ryan D. , Guillemain Bernard , Dupuis Kent , Fleury Hervé J.A. 
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND: Human T‐cell leukemia virus Types I and II (HTLV‐I and HTLV‐II), blood‐borne retroviruses found worldwide, can cause leukemia, immunosuppression, and severe neurologic diseases. In most countries, HTLV‐I and ‐II screening is not performed systematically for blood donations. A new photochemical treatment (PCT) with a synthetic psoralen was developed to inactivate most pathogens in platelet (PLT) concentrates or plasma and to improve the safety of blood donations.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Cell‐associated HTLV‐I or ‐II (106/mL) was inoculated in full‐size fresh PLT concentrates or fresh frozen plasma and treated with 150 µmol per L amotosalen (S‐59) and different doses of long‐wavelength ultraviolet A (UVA) light. The residual viral titer in the treated samples was assessed by a cocultivation assay on indicator cells.RESULTS: The inactivation obtained at a 3.0 J per cm2 UVA dose was greater than 5.2 log foci‐forming units (FFUs) per mL for HTLV‐I and 4.6 log FFUs per mL for HTLV‐II in presence of human PLT concentrates and greater than 4.5 log FFUs per mL for HTLV‐I and 5.7 log FFUs per mL for HTLV‐II in the presence of human plasma. The residual infectivity was very low and shown as the limit of detection of the cocultivation assay.CONCLUSION: In human plasma or PLT concentrates, the retroviruses HTLV‐I and ‐II were strongly sensitive to the PCT with 150 µmol per L amotosalen (S‐59) and a 3.0 J per cm2 UVA dose. This high efficiency for photoinactivation of these retroviruses opens a possibility of improving the safety of PLTs or plasma transfusion in the future.
MO‐A‐I‐618‐01: What the Medical Physicist Needs to Know and Do in Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
Authors: High M 
Published: June 2005

Both diagnostic and therapeutic applications of stereotactic mammography will be discussed. An overview of the American College of Radiology's Breast Biopsy Accreditation Program will be presented along with the recommendations of the associated ACR Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Quality Control Manual. Patient dose issues will be covered, including manufacturer recommendations for image receptor exposure levels, guidance for establishing a technique chart for 512 and 1024 images, and advice on identification of over‐ and under‐exposed images, and the influence of kVp and mAs on dose and image quality. The application of stereotactic digital imaging to interstitial breast brachytherapy will be discussed.Educational Objectives:1. Review ACR Accreditation recommendations for QC testing of stereotactic breast biopsy units.2. Become familiar with recognizing proper exposure levels and with setting up technique charts for appropriate image quality.3. Become familiar with the application of stereotactic digital image to interstitial breast brachytherapy.
MO‐A‐I‐617‐02: Image Reconstruction Strategies for Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Levin CS 
Published: June 2005

This presentation gives an overview of image reconstruction strategies for PET. We will discuss two classes of PET reconstruction algorithms: analytical and iterative. Analytic approaches model the acquisition process as an analytic transform operator and treat both the measurement and reconstructed image as continuous functions. Analytical image reconstruction algorithms are based upon direct computation of the inverse transform formula. Iterative techniques consider the above functions as discrete and may incorporate statistical methods and accurate system models to determine the best solution. Iterative approaches may be more appropriate for photon count limited data and for PET systems with non‐standard geometry. The analytic methods are typically more computationally efficient. We will focus only on those techniques implemented in the current state‐of‐the‐art commercial PET systems. Educational Objectives:1. To understand the problem of image reconstruction in PET.2. To become acquainted with analytic and iterative image reconstruction strategies for PET.
MO‐A‐I‐611‐01: Recent Advances in CT: MSCT and Highspeed Scanning
Authors: Goldman L 
Published: June 2005

This lecture begins the CT refresher course series by reviewing fundamental concepts associated with CT image quality in axial and helical scanning, then focuses on principles of multislice CT. Some concepts associated with single‐slice helical scanning are briefly reviewed as an introduction to MSCT helical scanning concepts. The attendee will be familiarized with:1. properties of the CT scan process affecting image quality, including sampling and scatter2. traditional and new methods to improve sampling3. principles of multislice CT scanning4. MSCT detectors systems5. reasons for potentially increased radiation doses in MSCT6. Concepts associated with helical scanning and pitch in MSCT7. Benefits of MSCT.8. Current generations of MSCT systems9. Improvements in gantry rotational speed and associated x‐ray tube design
MO‐B‐T‐6C‐01: Current Techniques for Image Registation and Data Fusion
Authors: Kessler Marc L 
Published: June 2005

Acquisition of anatomic and functional data from magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine studies is becoming increasingly common for patient management in radiation therapy. These data can help improve tumor localization and normal tissue delineation for treatment planning and may provide information about treatment efficacy during or after a course of radiotherapy. Time series data from serial and 4D CT before and during the treatment course, including CT data acquired in the treatment room at the time of treatment, is also helping to estimate motion and shape changes of relevant anatomy. In order to fully realize the benefits of these data, the different imaging studies must be registered to a single coordinate system, typically that of the treatment planning CT. The geometric transformation that is used to register the different image data can range from simple rotate‐translate to account for differences in patient orientation to 3D or 4D deformation models to account for changes in internal anatomy during and over the course of therapy. Once mapped to a common coordinate system, data derived from the various studies such as anatomic outlines and computed dose can be integrated or fused to help construct a more complete and accurate representation of the patient. A variety of interactive and automated techniques exist to carry out these steps. The general strategy for registration algorithms is to minimize a metric that measures the geometric mis‐registration between pairs of datasets. Metrics can be derived from extracted geometric structures or from the image intensities directly. Once registered, computer graphics and algebraic techniques are used to combine data and create integrated displays. This lecture will focus on the mechanics of registering and displaying data from different imaging studies using distinct modalities or a single modality over time. A taxonomy of the methods currently implemented in commercial and research treatment planning systems will be described. Methods for display and interaction with multimodality data will also be presented. The overall goal is to provide the basic knowledge required to understand what is happening “under‐the‐hood” of the different registration systems one might encounter in the clinic.Educational Objectives:1. Understand the basic mechanics of image registration and data fusion.2. Understand the different registration algorithms used in commercial and research treatment planning systems.3. Understand the different techniques used to combine, display and interact with multimodality image data.
MO‐B‐T‐6B‐01: Quality Assurance of Radiation Treatment Planning Systems: A Significant Challenge?
Authors: Van Dyk J 
Published: June 2005

During the last decade there has been a technological revolution in radiation oncology. Enhanced use of imaging combined with computer‐controlled methods of dose delivery provides a capability of escalating tumor doses without increasing morbidity. A pivotal component of this modern technology is the computerized radiation treatment planning system (RTPS) which is used to develop optimal treatment techniques for individual patients. Modern RTPSs make increased use of patient images, possibly from various imaging modalities, enhanced 3‐D displays, more sophisticated dose calculation algorithms, more complex treatment plan evaluation tools, combined with the generation of images which can be used for treatment verification. In addition, the implementation of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has added a further complexity to the RTPS and this is combined with automated optimization software which is essential if IMRT is going to be used to its best advantage. In recent years, various national and international organizations have developed reports that have made recommendations regarding the commissioning and quality assurance (QA) of RTPSs. In 1998, AAPM TG53 published guidelines for users and vendors on QA for radiation therapy planning. In 2000, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) produced a report (IEC 62083) specifically on safety requirements for manufacturers of RTPSs. In 2004, both the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ESTRO) published reports on commissioning and QA of RTPSs. Furthermore, the IAEA is presently in the process of developing a protocol for the acceptance testing of RTPSs. In 2005, the Netherlands Commission of Radiation Dosimetry also produced a report on QA of RTPSs. All of these reports indicate that a thorough commissioning of a modern 3‐D RTPS has become a daunting task. This refresher course will look at some of these reports and review issues associated with the commissioning and quality assurance of a modern RTPS.Educational Objectives:1. To demonstrate the importance of QA of RTPSs by reviewing significant treatment errors associated with their use.2. To review the major functionality of a modern RTPS.3. To highlight and summarize various reports that have made recommendations regarding commissioning and QA of RTPSs.4. To discuss accuracy requirements and criteria of acceptability of the modern RTPS.5. To summarize acceptance testing procedures as proposed by the IAEA for a modern RTPS.6. To provide an overview of commissioning a modern RTPS.7. To provide an overview of the QA associated with a modern TPS.Conflict of Interest: One of the QA tools described in this presentation was developed by the author and is marketed by Modus Medical Devices Inc.
MO‐E‐T‐6E‐03: Dose‐Volume Modeling of Treatment Outcome
Authors: Jackson A 
Published: June 2005

Since the landmark compilation of estimates of normal tissue partial volume tolerance doses and LKB model parameters by Emami et al. [1] and Burman et al. [2] in 1991, phase I dose escalation studies utilizing 3D conformal and IMRT techniques carried out in the last 10‐15 years have provided quantitative data on dose volume dependencies of complication probabilities. For some organs the use of local and global function tests have provided data from objective endpoints which have been used to assess functional damage arising from irradiation of normal tissue. In concert with these developments, more rigorous statistical methods of model fitting and data analysis have been adopted. Improvements in our understanding of the dependence of complication probabilities on partial volumes of normal tissues irradiated will be described, including models for lung, liver, parotid, and rectal complications. Recent data from studies of radiation pneumonitis, including data suggesting variation in sensitivity of upper versus lower lung will be presented. Several limitations of current clinical data will be discussed: numbers for severe complications in single institution trials are usually small, and surrogate (lower priority) endpoints are often used, these have higher incidence and allow modeling with greater confidence, but are of less clinical relevance; use of fixed treatment techniques leads to correlations in values of dose‐volume variables in the patient population, making discrimination between models difficult; effects of organ motion are difficult to remove post‐facto and methods for accounting for them in outcome data in their infancy. To overcome poor statistics, merging of data from different institutions will be required. The difficulties of carrying out this task will be outlined.Educational Objectives:1. To understand the advances made in our knowledge of dose‐volume dependencies of normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCP) in the past 10–15 years.2. To understand the limitations of our current knowledge of NTCP, and future work necessary to overcome these limitations.
TU‐B‐T‐6C‐01: MRI and MRSI in Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning
Authors: Xing L 
Published: June 2005

Radiation therapy is an image‐guided procedure whose success depends strongly on the image modality used for treatment planning and the level of integration of the available imaging information. Advancement in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has provided an unprecedented means to produce highly conformable dose distribution while sparing sensitive structures, which calls for better imaging tools for tumor target definition and for the management of inter‐ and intra‐fractional organ motion. Clinically, MRI imaging is an important anatomical imaging modality and posses superior soft tissue contrast. It has played a pivotal role in radiation oncology practice and made significant impact in cancer diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, and monitoring of therapeutic response. In the last decade, much progress has been made in high field MRI and in the development of new MRI contrast agents. MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) has also emerged as a powerful noninvasive tool for providing the type of metabolic and physiology information needed to identify biologically conformal dose distributions for biologically conformal radiation therapy (BCRT). This presentation will provide an overview of the fundamental principles of MRI and MRSI imaging and inform the audience with some of the new developments in the field and their practical implications to radiation therapy. Examples of these applications in a few disease sites will be presented. Finally, issues related to the quality assurance of MRI/MRSI and BCRT will also be addressed.Educational Objectives:1. Review MRI and MRSI physics.2. Illustrate the steps involved in integrating MRI and MRSI into treatment planning process.3. Introduce MRI/MRSI image fusion techniques (including deformable image registration).4. Provide an overview on recent advances in high field MRI and MRSI.5. Update on the new development of MRI contrast media, including nanoparticles‐based contrast agents.This work was supported in part by NCI 5R01 CA98523‐01. Therapy Continuing Education Course Room 6B.