bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extensor Tendon Rehabilitation a Prospective Trial Comparing Three Rehabilitation Regimes
Authors: BULSTRODE N. W. , BURR N. , PRATT A. L. , GROBBELAAR A. O. 
Published: December 2004

Forty-two patients with 46 complete extensor tendon injuries were prospectively allocated to one of three rehabilitation regimes: static splintage; interphalangeal joint mobilization with metacarpophalangeal joint immobilization or; the “Norwich” regime. All 42 patients were operated on by one surgeon and assessed by one hand therapist. At 4 weeks the total active motion in the static splintage group was significantly reduced but by 12 weeks there was no difference between the regimes. There was no difference in total active motion between the repaired and uninjured hand at 12 weeks, with all patients achieving good or excellent results. However, grip strength at 12 weeks was significantly reduced compared to the uninjured hand after static splintage. There was no difference in hand therapy input between the regimes.
Transmission of viral hepatitis by kidney transplantation: donor evaluation and transplant policies (Part 1: hepatitis B virus)
Authors: Natov S.N. , Pereira B.J.G. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract: This two‐part article discusses serologic testing of prospective donors for viral hepatitis B and C, as part of the comprehensive donor evaluation, and reviews the current policies and practices aimed at preventing donor‐to‐recipient transmission of hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HBC). This first part of the review discusses HBV. Organs procured from HBV‐infected donors can transmit the virus to their recipients. Because infections with HBV have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality among renal transplant recipients, it is important to prevent HBV transmission with renal transplantation. Routine serologic evaluation of prospective organ donors for markers of HBV infection includes testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti‐hepatitis B surface antigen antibody (HBsAb), and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc). The risk of HBV transmission with kidney transplantation is a function of the serologic status of both donor and recipient. Knowledge of this risk is essential for the rational use of kidney allografts. HBsAg‐positive donors are at high risk of transmitting HBV infection to their organ recipients, particularly if these donors are concurrently positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Kidneys from donors with isolated presence of HBsAb are unlikely to transmit HBV infection to their recipients. The risk of HBV transmission with the use of kidneys from IgG anti‐HBc‐positive, HBsAg‐negative donors is low. Kidneys from donors negative for both HBcAg and anti‐HBc are at low‐to‐negligible or no risk of transmitting HBV to their recipients. Under certain conditions, kidneys from HBV‐infected donors can be safely used and thus prevent unnecessary discarding of organs. Kidneys from HBsAg‐positive donors, who are negative for HBeAg, carry no risk or only minimal risk of transmitting HBV infection to their recipients if these recipients are immune to HBV or HBsAg‐positive. However, the safety of these policies deserves further evaluation.
Endothelial injury: cause and effect of alloimmune inflammation
Authors: Vos I.H.C , Briscoe D.M 
Published: December 2004

Abstract: This review discusses the concept that endothelial cells may facilitate inflammation, but are also targets of the inflammatory response. Endothelial cells express several molecules that promote leukocyte recruitment, and other molecules, such as MHC class I that enable endothelial injury. Circulating alloantibodies produced following transplantation may also target the endothelium for injury. It has been shown that the expression of select protective genes within endothelial cells, including anti‐apoptotic genes, may provide resistance to immune‐mediated injury. Thus, an understanding of the mechanisms by which endothelial cells are injured and by which endothelial cells are protected is important for our understanding of allograft rejection.
Simple Pilot Procedures for the Avoidance of Disconnected Experimental Designs
Authors: Godolphin J. D. 
Published: December 2004

Summary
Two simple pilot procedures are proposed for avoiding the problem of dealing with a disconnected experimental design. Both procedures should be carried out on the selected design before any experimentation is considered. The first procedure is a check that the suggested design is connected with respect to treatments. This makes use of the information matrix for the model and provides feed-back on a disconnected design. The second procedure specifies which observations are influential in causing a connected design to become disconnected, with respect to any set of parameter effects, if these observations are lost during the experimental period. This specification is found by examining the projection matrix for the model. These pilot procedures are illustrated by several examples.
The 1970 US Draft Lottery Revisited: A Spatial Analysis
Authors: Mateu Jorge , Montes Francisco , Plaza Mario 
Published: December 2004

SummaryWe revise the result of the 1970 selective service draft lottery in the USA following an open question that was suggested by Fienberg in a paper published in Science in 1971. The result of the drawings can be viewed as a particular spatial pattern which can be analysed by using general spatial tools adapted to our context. Approaches for assessing the complete spatial randomness for this spatial process on a finite support are proposed. More specifically, these approaches involve the number of events in a square window and a k(r)-based function used to analyse stationary spatial point processes.
The effect of prestorage WBC reduction on the rates of febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions to platelet concentrates and RBC
Authors: Yazer Mark H. , Podlosky Linda , Clarke Gwen , Nahirniak Susan M. 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  Febrile non‐hemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTRs) are a common complication of platelet concentrate (PC) and RBC transfusions, usually ascribed to cytokines released by WBCs and perhaps the platelets themselves during storage. Prestorage WBC reduction should abrogate the accumulation of these cytokines reducing the number of FNHTRs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  A retrospective analysis of FNHTR to PCs and RBCs before universal WBC reduction (PrUR) (July 1997‐January 1998 for PCs, July 1997‐July 1999 for RBCs) and after its introduction (PoUR) (February 1998‐August 2001 for PC, August 1999‐August 2001 for RBCs) was undertaken. All transfusion reactions were stratified based on component and date of reaction. Other adverse transfusion reactions were grouped into three periods: July 1997‐January 1998, February 1998‐July 1999, and August 1999‐August 2001. A chi‐square test was performed to determine the significance of the differences between groups.RESULTS:  In the PrUR group, there were 231 FNHTRs in 70,396 RBC units transfused (0.33%) and 29 FNHTRs in 6502 PC units transfused (0.45% percent). In the PoUR group, there were 136 FNHTRs in 72,949 RBC units transfused (0.19%, p < 0.001) and 56 FNHTRs in 50,555 PC units transfused (0.11%, p < 0.001). Of the other adverse events, only TRALI reactions were sig‐nificantly reduced.CONCLUSION:  Prestorage WBC reduction significantly reduced the rate of FNHTRs to PCs and RBCs.
Transfusion‐associated GVHD after fludarabine therapy in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Leitman Susan F. , Tisdale John F. , Bolan Charles D. , Popovsky Mark A. , Klippel John H. , Balow James E. , Boumpas Dimitrios T. , Illei Gabor G. 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND: Fludarabine, a purine antimetabolite with potent immunosuppressive properties, has previously been associated with the development of transfusion‐associated GVHD (TA‐GVHD) in patients with hematologic malignancies. Its role as a risk factor for TA‐GVHD in patients without underlying leukemia or lymphoma is uncertain.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A 42‐year‐old female with refractory lupus nephritis received three monthly cycles of fludarabine (30 mg/m2/day on Days 1‐3) and cyclophosphamide (500 mg/m2 on Day 1). Three months after the last dose of fludarabine, she received 2 units of packed RBCs and 6 units of pooled random platelets, none of which were irradiated. Two weeks later, fever, rash, aminotransferase elevations, hyperbilirubinemia, and pancytopenia developed.RESULTS: Marrow biopsy showed severe aplasia and skin biopsy was consistent with GVHD. Allele‐level HLA typing on circulating lymphocytes revealed extra HLA alleles not present in her pretreatment sample, but identical to the HLA haplotypes of an unrelated platelet donor. Treatment with antithymocyte globulin, cyclosporine, and prednisone was followed by preparatory conditioning for a PBPC transplant from an HLA‐identical sibling, but the patient died of disseminated candidiasis before transplant.CONCLUSIONS: Fludarabine and other purine analogs are increasingly used in the treatment of disorders other than hematologic malignancy, such as autoimmune disease. The occurence of TA‐GVHD after fludarabine therapy in a patient with lupus strongly suggests that this drug is sufficiently immunoablative to be an independent risk factor for TA‐GVHD. Irradiation of blood components should be considered in all patients who receive fludarabine therapy.
Preliminary validation of a new standard of efficacy for stored platelets
Authors: AuBuchon James P. , Herschel Louise , Roger Jill , Murphy Scott 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  Platelet preparation and storage systems, unlike those for RBC, lack an objective, absolute performance criterion to determine acceptability. Recently, a criterion based on paired comparison with the radiolabeled recovery and survival of “fresh” platelets has been proposed, namely, recovery = two‐thirds and survival = half of “fresh” platelets.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Eleven normal subjects donated a unit of leukoreduced apheresis platelets using a standard, approved system. They received an aliquot radiolabeled with 111In or 51Cr (random selection) 4 to 20 hours after donation and, using the other radioisotope, on Day 5 of storage. The recovery was calculated based on the injectate radioactivity. The survival was determined using the multiple‐hit model. The area under the platelet survival curve was calculated using the COST program.RESULTS:  Reinfusion of platelets less than 20 hours after collection resulted in a recovery of 74.7 ± 12.3 percent and a survival time of 7.5 ± 1.1 days. Reinfusion on Day 5 resulted in a recovery of 58.2 ± 12.0 percent and a survival time of 6.9 ± 1.4 days, values that were 77.9 ± 9.5 percent and 91.8 ± 16.1 percent of the observation using “fresh” platelets, respectively. The area under the curve using Day 5 platelets was 67.8 ± 11.5 percent of that using “fresh” platelets.CONCLUSION:  The proposed criterion for objective evaluation of platelet preparation and storage systems appears applicable to a commonly accepted approach, leukoreduced apheresis platelets stored in plasma for 5 days, and merits evaluation using other collection, treatment, and storage systems.
Platelet activation during plasma‐reduced multicomponent PLT collection: a comparison between COBE Trima and Spectra LRS turbo cell separators
Authors: Perseghin Paolo , Mascaretti Luca , Speranza Tiziana , Belotti Daniela , Baldini Valentina , Dassi Maria , Riva Mariarosa , Pogliani Enrico Maria , Sciorelli Gianalfredo 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  The wide diffusion of multicomponent collection in donor apheresis has led to the yielding of different components, such as plasma‐reduced platelet‐pheresis at high PLT concentration. We investigated whether this collection modality could induce more PLT activation compared to standard plateletpheresis.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Forty‐one plateletpheresis collections (20 Trima and 21 Spectra LRS Turbo v.7.0, COBE) were evaluated. Donor, procedure, and product data were recorded. ADP, collagen, and U46619 (a thromboxane‐A2 analog)‐induced PLT aggregation was investigated in basal (donor) and final (plateletpheresis unit) samples. The expression of PLT activation marker P‐selectin (CD62P) was studied using flow cytometry in basal and final samples. In all cases, P‐selectin was investigated in final samples after stimulation with ADP to assess for a possible further release of the antigen. Four additional plateletpheresis procedures were performed in donors from Group A, using the traditional, nonplasma‐reduced program.RESULTS:  Plateletpheresis obtained by means of the Trima device showed a lower response to in‐vitro induced PLT aggregation and a higher percentage of P‐selectin‐expressing PLT when compared to products obtained using the Spectra device. Moreover, P‐selectin release after ADP stimulation was reduced in plateletpheresis units obtained using the Trima device. These differences disappeared when a nonplasma‐reduced collection program was used. In‐vivo evaluation did not detect any difference between platelepheresis obtained by means of the two cell separators.CONCLUSIONS:  Plateletpheresis units obtained by means of multicomponent collection show a higher degree of PLT activation compared to traditional plateletpheresis procedures when high‐concentration plasma‐reduced products are collected. Randomized clinical studies are needed to assess the real impact of these findings in terms of in‐vivo efficacy of plasma‐reduced plateletpheresis units.
Sporothrix schenckii Lipid Inhibits Macrophage Phagocytosis: Involvement of Nitric Oxide and Tumour Necrosis Factor‐α
Authors: Carlos I. Z. , Sgarbi D. B. G. , Santos G. C. , Placeres M. C. P. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe role of cell‐wall compounds in the immune response to sporotrichosis is unknown. The effect of cell‐wall compounds and exoantigen obtained from Sporothrix schenckii in macrophage/fungus interaction was analysed with respect to nitric oxide (NO) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). The lipid compound of the cell wall plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this mycosis and was found to inhibit the phagocytic process and to induce high liberation of NO and TNF‐α in macrophage cultures in the present study. This is a very interesting result because it is the first report about one compound of the fungus S. schenckii that presents this activity.
No Impact of Cross‐Reactive Group Human Leucocyte Antigen Class I Matching on Long‐Term Kidney Graft Survival
Authors: Egfjord M. , Jakobsen B. K. , Ladefoged J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe aim was to elucidate the effect of matching for the broad human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐A and ‐B cross‐reactive groups (CREGs) of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I on long‐term kidney graft survival. Material and methods: 1304 patients transplanted at Rigshospitalet between 1968 and 1999 with a cadaver kidney and followed until 2000. The definition of CREGs based on amino acid residues was according to United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) (1996). Graft‐survival analyses (Kaplan Meier) were performed for all cases and for cases censored for death with functioning grafts. Results: Univariate analysis showed no effect of any specific donor or recipient CREG on graft survival. Contrary to some reports in the literature, the absolute and relative number of CREG shares and of CREG mismatches had no effect on graft survival even when censored for graft loss because of death. However, graft survival was dependent on DR shares (P < 0.05), indicating that matching for MHC class II seems to be more important than that for the broad MHC class I phenotype represented by CREG.
DNA Injection in Combination with Electroporation: a Novel Method for Vaccination of Farmed Ruminants
Authors: Tollefsen S. , Vordermeier M. , Olsen I. , Storset A. K. , Reitan L. J. , Clifford D. , Lowrie D. B. , Wiker H. G. , Huygen K. , Hewinson G. , Mathiesen I. , Tjelle T. E. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractInjection of plasmid DNA encoding antigens into rodents followed by electroporation improved the immune response when compared with injection without electroporation (Widera et al. J Immunol 2000;164:4635–40; Zucchelli et al. J Virol 2000;74:11598–607; Kadowaki et al. Vaccine 2000;18:2779–88). The present study describes the extension of this technology to farm animals, by injecting plasmid DNA encoding mycobacterial antigens (MPB70, Ag85B and Hsp65) into the muscles of goats and cattle using two different types of electrodes, both allowing DNA delivery at the site of electroporation. The animals were vaccinated under local anaesthesia without any observed immediate or long‐term distress or discomfort, or any behavioural signs of muscle damage or pathological changes after the electroporation. DNA‐injected and electroporated goats showed increased humoral response after the primary vaccination when compared with nonelectroporated animals. Improved T‐cell responses following electroporation were observed in hsp65 DNA‐vaccinated cattle. DNA injection with or without electroporation did not compromise the specificity of the tuberculin skin test. In conclusion, a protocol applying in vivo electroporation free of side effects to farmed ruminants was established. In addition, we show that DNA vaccination in combination with electroporation can improve the primary immune responses to the encoded antigens.
Biclonal Systemic AL‐Amyloidosis with One Glycosylated and One Nonglycosylated AL‐Protein*
Authors: Karimi M. , Sletten K. , Westermark P. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe amyloid fibril protein AL was isolated from the spleen of a patient with systemic amyloidosis. Size‐exclusion chromatography of the solubilized amyloid fibrils revealed a distinct, retarded asymmetric peak. The symmetrical part of the peak showed on SDS‐PAGE two positive periodic acid Schiff‐staining bands at 14 and 16 kDa. Staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue revealed in addition two proteins with masses of 13 and 20 kDa. The 14 and 16 kDa bands were the strongest ones. N‐Terminal analyses of the four blotted bands showed that the N‐termini were the same in all cases. Elucidation of the amino acid sequence established an AL‐chain of 157 residues as well as a fragment covering positions 188–207 of the constant region. Two tryptic peptides derived from the same region, positions 25–46, showed an identical sequence, except for position 34 where both alanine and threonine residues occurred. Monosaccharide compositional analysis of the threonine‐containing peptide revealed an oligosaccharide in the N‐glycosylation site, position 32–34. Mass analysis of the glycopeptide verified the oligosaccharide. The AL‐chains belong to the kappa 3a germline gene and verifies that the glycosylated chain is a mutated form. The AL‐chains differ from that of the germline in 14 positions. The J‐segment is of JκIII and is mutated in position 106.
Altered Proximal T‐Cell Receptor Signalling Events in Mouse CD4+ T Cells in the Presence of Anti‐CD4 Monoclonal Antibodies: Evidence for Reduced Phosphorylation of Zap‐70 and LAT
Authors: Pullar C. E. , Morris P. J. , Wood K. J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAnti‐CD4 monoclonal antibodies are potential therapeutic agents for the prevention of autoimmune disease and treatment of rejection after organ transplantation and are capable of both restoring tolerance to self‐antigens and inducing tolerance to antigens introduced under the cover of the antibody therapy in vivo. Tolerance to donor alloantigens can be induced in vivo by administering donor alloantigen in combination with either depleting (YTA 3.1) or nondepleting (YTS 177) anti‐CD4, 28 days before heart transplantation in the mouse. The effect of anti‐CD4 on proximal T‐cell receptor (TCR) signalling pathways and proliferation was investigated in vitro and in vivo in the presence and absence of YTA 3.1 or YTS 177. Anti‐CD4 was found to perturb proximal signalling events upon TCR/CD3 ligation, resulting in reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of Zap‐70 and LAT (linker for activation of T cells) and reduced association of tyrosine‐phosphorylated LAT with lck. This ultimately resulted in severely reduced proliferation of the responding CD4+ T cells. The signalling profile of the anti‐CD4‐treated cells resembled that of anergic T cells. This could be a result of a common mechanism involving perturbation in the formation of the central supramolecular activation cluster of the immunological synapse by impaired recruitment of CD4 and CD28, thereby resulting in severely reduced lck activation.
Overexpression of Bcl‐2 in T Cells Affects Insulitis in the Nonobese Diabetic Mouse
Authors: Rietz C. , Screpanti V. , Brenden N. , Böhme J. , Fernández C. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse is a useful model for human autoimmune diabetes. The gene for the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2 has previously been suggested as a probable susceptibility candidate for the NOD mouse disease. In this study, we investigated how overexpression of Bcl‐2 in lymphocytes might affect insulitis in NOD mice. A bcl‐2 transgene expressed constitutively under the SV40‐promoter and the 5′Igh enhancer, Eµ, was bred onto NOD background. Two bcl‐2 transgenic NOD strains were produced and analysed, one with overexpression of Bcl‐2 on only B cells and the other with overexpression of Bcl‐2 on both B and T cells. Subsequent to verification of expression pattern and functionality of the transgene, insulitis intensity was investigated in different backcross generations of the two transgenic strains. Overexpression of Bcl‐2 on both B and T cells leads to a statistically significant protection of the mice from insulitis compared with normal littermates. Overexpression of Bcl‐2 on only B cells, on the other hand, does not have any statistically significant effect on insulitis. Possible mechanisms for the effect of Bcl‐2 on insulitis in NOD mice are discussed.
The Immune Response to Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine in Zinc‐Depleted Mice*
Authors: Strand T. A. , Aaberge I. S. , Maage A. , Ulvestad E. , Sommerfelt H. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractZinc depletion affects several facets of the immune system and the resistance to infections. We assessed the effect of zinc deprivation on the immune response to the pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens in the commercially available Pneumovax® pneumococcal vaccine. Young female BALB/c mice were fed diets with 2.7, 5.8 or 25 µg of elemental zinc per mg diet. After six weeks of pair feeding, there were significant differences in the mean body weights between the feeding groups and we demonstrated a dose response of the zinc level in the diet on growth. The induced zinc deficiency had no discernible effect on the antipneumococcal polysaccharide immunoglobulin M (IgM) response following immunization with the pneumococcal vaccine. Although zinc depletion has a detrimental effect on the immune system, the murine T‐cell‐independent response to antigens such as those in the pneumococcal polysaccharide capsule does not seem to be affected.