bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin 1 beta and tumor necrosis factor levels in stored platelet concentrates and the association with gene polymorphisms
Authors: Addas‐Carvalho M. , Origa A.F. , Saad S.T.O. 
Published: July 2004

BACKGROUND:  Cytokines (IL‐1β and TNF) generated by WBCs during storage of PLT concentrates have been associated with febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  This study was undertaken to investigate whether there is an association between the polymorphisms of IL1B ‐511C/T and +3953C/T, IL1RN intron 2 VNTR and TNFA‐308G/A genes and the increase of cytokines during the storage of PLT concentrates produced by plasma‐rich PLTS (PRP‐PC) or apheresis PLTs.RESULTS:  Thirty PRP‐PCs were studied and a pro‐gressive increase of IL‐1β and TNF during storage was revealed. IL1‐β and TNF levels were inversely correlated with the content of PLTs in PRP‐PCs detected on Day 3 (p = 0.004) and Day 5 (p = 0.019), but not on Day 7. There was association of IL1B‐511T polymorphism and IL‐1β levels (Day 5, p = 0.063, only tendency and on Day 7, p = 0.038, significant). There was no association of the other polymorphisms (IL1B+3953C/T, IL1RN intron 2 and TNFA‐308G/A) with their respective cytokines.CONCLUSION:  The great variation of cytokine levels in the plasma of PLT concentrates (PCs) during storage may also be caused by cytokine gene polymorphisms, as well as WBC contamination, material that the bags are made of, and storage time, as previously described.
Visual assessment of hemolysis in red blood cell units and segments can be deceptive
Authors: Janatpour K.A. , Paglieroni T.G. , Crocker V.L. , DuBois D.J. , Holland P.V. 
Published: July 2004

BACKGROUND:  Blood components that appear hemo‐lyzed are discarded. However, visual inspection is subjec‐tive and criteria for excessive hemolysis are poorly defined.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Packed RBCs (10 CPDA‐1, 10 Adsol) were collected. Half of each unit was leukoreduced. Plasma Hb was measured and compared in segments and units by three methods: 1) a HemoCue Plasma/Low Hb Photometer system; 2) a tetramethyl‐benzidine (TMB) chemical method, and 3) a free Hb visual comparator.RESULTS:  Visual assessment tended to overestimate hemolysis. Chemical methods were comparable (r2= 0.894; HemoCue = 0.043 +[0.770]× TMB; n = 400; range, 0.01‐0.5 g/dL), although the mean plasma Hb (g/dL) for the HemoCue method was higher than that of the TMB method (0.12 vs. 0.10 g/dL, respectively; p < 0.001). No units would have been discarded based on a hemolysis level of at least 0.6 g/dL (approx. 1%) if measured by a chemical method. However, 50 percent of CPDA‐1 and 10 percent of Adsol units would have been discarded if only visual criteria were used. Leukoreduction did not increase plasma Hb levels. Discrepancies in plasma Hb levels were noted between units and their corresponding segments.CONCLUSION:  Visual assessment of hemolysis can result in unnecessary wastage of blood components. HemoCue offers an alternative, objective method to assess plasma Hb in the setting of blood collection and processing facilities for routine quality control and process validation, and may aid in the development of objective criteria for excessive hemolysis in blood components.
Ceftriaxone causes drug‐induced immune thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia: characterization of targets on platelets and red blood cells
Authors: Großjohann Beatrice , Eichler Petra , Greinacher Andreas , Santoso Sentot , Kroll Hartmut 
Published: July 2004

BACKGROUND:  Ceftriaxone, a third‐generation cephalosporin, has been reported to occasionally cause fatal drug‐induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIHA). A clinical and serologic analysis of the first two patients with severe drug‐induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) due to ceftriaxone and one patient with fatal DIHA is reported.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Sera were assessed by the IAT, EIA, glycoprotein (GP)‐specific immunoassay, flow cytometry, and immunoprecipitation using trans‐fectants expressing GPIIb/IIIa and GPIb/IX and with different cephalosporins.RESULTS:  Sera from Patients 1 and 2 reacted strongly with PLTs in the presence of the drug, but not with RBCs. The binding sites of the drug‐dependent antibodies (DDAbs) could be localized to GPIIb/IIIa and GPIb/IX, respectively. Inhibition studies indicated that DDAbs recognized epitopes residing on the GPIIb/IIIa complex and on the GPIX subunit, respectively. No cross‐reactivity was observed with other cephalosporin derivatives. Serum 3 showed strong agglutination with RBCs of Rhnull phenotype in the presence of ex‐vivo metabolites of ceftriaxone, but no cross‐reactivity with PLTs.CONCLUSIONS:  The first two cases of severe DITP and a third patient with DIHA are reported. DDAbs from all patients showed individual reaction patterns and clear cell lineage specificity. In addition, the DDAbs were dependent on the substitution at position 3 of the ceftriaxone molecule. Epitopes on GPIIb/IIIa and GPIX were involved on PLTs. The Rh protein was not the only target of DDAbs on RBCs.
Cryopreservation reduces the concentration of detectable bacteria in contaminated peripheral blood progenitor cell products
Authors: Kipp Frank , Linnemann Elmar , Fischer Rudolf‐Josef , Sibrowski Walter , Cassens Uwe 
Published: July 2004

BACKGROUND:  Microbial contamination of PBPC products PBPCPs may cause severe clinical complications. There‐fore, we investigated the influence of cryopreservation on the sensitivity to detect bacterial contaminations in PBPCPs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Expired PBPCPs (n = 29) were thawed, and defined concentrations of Staphylococcus epidermidis or Escherichia coli were inoculated into each bag. After 60 minutes of intermixing, a representative aliquot was drawn and cultured on Mueller‐Hinton agar for 24 hours. Then, the products were cryopreserved for 24 hours, and the procedure was repeated as mentioned above. The total numbers of CFUs were counted before and after cryopreservation.RESULTS:  A mean concentration of 2529 CFUs per mL of S. epidermidis was determined before cryopreservation versus 2182 CFUs per mL after cryopreservation, demon‐strating a decrease of detectable colonies (p < 0.05). For E. coli, the mean numbers were 424 CFUs per mL before cryopreservation and 343 CFUs per mL after cryopreser‐vation, also showing a decrease (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION:  The cryopreservation reduces the concentration of detectable bacteria in contaminated PBPCPs. Especially in sterility testing of PBPCPs with low bacterial contamination, this phenomenon could lead to false‐negative results with severe clinical consequences.
White particulate matter found in blood collection bags consist of platelets and leukocytes
Authors: Rentas F.J. , Macdonald V.W. , Rothwell S.W. , McFaul S.J. , Asher L.V. , Kennedy A.M. , Hmel P.J. , Meledandri C.J. , Salata J.M. , Harman R.W. , Reid T.J. 
Published: July 2004

BACKGROUND:  In late January 2003, some blood centers and hospitals throughout the US voluntarily sus‐pended the use of some RBC and plasma units for trans‐fusion due to the presence of unknown white particulate matter (WPM) in these units. To better understand the WPM phenomena, a number of technologies were used to establish the nature of the particulates observed in Terumo Collection sets.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  All AS‐5 nonleuko‐reduced RBCs and plasma units were visually inspected for WPM by placing the bags on a flat counter, undisturbed, for approximately 10 minutes and then perform‐ing a visual examination for particles. Particles were isolated and placed on microscope slides or in plastic tubes for further analysis. Electron microscopy, bright field microscopy, differential interference contrast microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and flow cytometry procedures were performed to establish the nature of the particulate matter. In addition, leukoreduction filters and blood transfusion sets were used on RBCs units with WPM.RESULTS:  The particles were mostly composed of PLTs and WBCs, and fragments of these cells. All macroscopic WPM was removed from RBCs with leukoeduction and transfusion filters.CONCLUSIONS:  WPM originated from PLTs and WBCs. Foreign matter (e.g., plastic) was not observed in any of the units. Leukoreduction and transfusion filters can be used to remove macroscopic WPM.
Comparison of two mononuclear cell program settings on two apheresis devices intended to collect high yields of CD14+ and CD3+ cells
Authors: Strasser Erwin F. , Dittrich Sandra , Weisbach Volker , Zimmermann Robert , Ringwald Jürgen , Achenbach Susanne , Zingsem Jürgen , Eckstein Reinhold 
Published: July 2004

BACKGROUND:  In cancer and transplantation therapy apheresis devices and software of optimum standards are required for the collection of high cell yields with high purity of the desired cell fraction.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  In a paired study, 15 healthy blood donors underwent four 10‐L leukapheresis procedures (197 ± 33 min) with an inlet blood flow rate of 60 mL per minute by use of two different MNC program settings of the COBE Spectra (Gambro BCT) and the AS.TEC 204 (Fresenius Hemocare) cell separators.RESULTS:  Use of the standard MNC program of both apheresis devices resulted in significantly higher (p < 0.01) collection efficiencies of CD14+ monocytes, CD3+ cells, CD4+ cells, CD8+ T cells, CD16+ CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells, and residual PLTs (p < 0.001), owing to higher centrifuge speed. The mean MNC purity of all components was more than 90 percent. By use of stan‐dard programs of either device, significant correlations (p < 0.01) between donor monocytes and preleukapheresis NK cell counts and the corresponding component cell yields were found.CONCLUSION:  Compared to the program modifications with lower centrifuge velocities the standard MNC programs were significantly more efficient regarding CD14+, CD3+, and CD16+ CD56+ cells. Enhanced centrifuge speed and inlet blood flow rate in MNC programs resulted in higher, similar composed MNC concentrations of the products.
Particulate matter phenomenon: adverse event data and the effect of leukofiltration
Authors: Orton Sharyn L. , Leparc G.F. , Rossmann Susan , Lewis R.M. 
Published: July 2004

BACKGROUND:  In February 2002, a multiorganizational task force investigated blood center reports of unusual particulate matter (PM) visible in packed red blood cells (RBC). A cohort study assessed increase in adverse events (AEs) related to this phenomenon, as well as the effect of post‐leukofiltration (LF) on PM.METHODS:  Two blood centers assessed AEs in patients transfused with RBCs having visible PM (classified as normal by‐products of RBC preparation), PM RBCs subsequently LF, or RBCs without visible PM, and the effect of LF on PM removal.RESULTS:  There was no difference in AEs in patients transfused with PM RBCs with or without LF compared to patients transfused with RBCs without visible PM. Subsequently filtered PM RBCs had acceptable residual WBC counts and median platelet removal of 92%.CONCLUSION:  Transfusion of RBCs with visible PM or RBCs subsequently LF does not appear to increase the risk of an AE. LF use on PM RBCs results in the PM removal without adversely affecting filter performance. The lack of evidence of an increase in AE reports does not mean that there is no effect, and there may be a baseline AE rate attributable to PM which has not been thoroughly researched.
Prevalence of viable Chlamydia pneumoniae in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy blood donors
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Yamada Masako , Uruma Tomonori , Kanamori Masato , Goto Hajime , Yamamoto Yoshimasa , Kamiya Shigeru 
Published: July 2004

BACKGROUND:  Demonstration of viable Chlamydia (Chlamydophila) pneumoniae in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) is essential to understand the involvement of C. pneumoniae in atherosclerosis. Nevertheless, the prevalence of viable C. pneumoniae in the blood of healthy donors has not yet been studied.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  The presence of C. pneumoniae transcript in PBMNCs from blood of healthy human donors was assessed by real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) with primers for C. pneumoniae 16S rRNA, which is more sensitive than genomic‐DNA‐based analysis, and by the use of staining with fluorescein isothiocyanate‐conjugated chlamydia monoclonal antibody (MoAb).RESULTS:  Thirteen of 70 donors (18.5%) showed the presence of bacterial transcript in cultured PBMNCs. The prevalence of bacterial detection and bacterial numbers was significantly increased in PBMNC cultures incubated with cycloheximide. Immunostaining of PBMNCs with antichlamydial MoAb also revealed the presence of bacterial antigen in the PBMNCs judged as positive. Nevertheless, cultivation of C. pneumoniae from all PCR‐positive donors was unsuccessful. There was no signifi‐cant correlation between the presence of chlamydia and either sex or current smoking habits. A possible age variation, however, in the presence of chlamydia in blood of healthy donors was suggested by the results obtained.CONCLUSION:  The bacterial transcripts in PBMNCs obtained from healthy donors were detected by the RT‐PCR method. Viable C. pneumoniae may be present in healthy human PBMNCs.
Description and investigation of white particulate matter in additive solution‐1 red blood cell units
Authors: Hillyer Christopher D. , Roback John D. , Hillyer Krista L. , Josephson Cassandra D. , Page Peter L. 
Published: July 2004

BACKGROUND:  In January 2003, “white particulate matter” (WPM) was transiently observed in red blood cell (RBC) units collected predominately in the southeastern US. In this report, these events, their chronology, perti‐nent observations and investigations, and summaries and conclusions associated with WPM during the 2‐week observation period are described.CHRONOLOGY AND INVESTIGATIONS:  On January 27, 2003, WPM was first identified in RBCs; by January 31, 2003, 110 RBC units containing WPM had been identified. Elective surgeries were postponed. Approxi‐mately 400 RBC units containing WPM were inspected in the blood center and characterized into four types: I, II, III, and IV. A variety of preparations of aspirated WPM were made, including light and electron microscopic sections.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:  The rate of WPM‐containing units was 1.67 percent (1 in 60 units), whereas the background incidence was less than 0.25 percent. Investigations revealed that WPM was composed of activated and nonactivated platelets (PLTs); no toxins, infectious agents, or agents of bioterrorism were iden‐tified. WPM correlated with certain variables studied, including PLT‐rich components that had been centrifuged with a “hard spin” before leukoreduction and manu‐factured in one vendor's collection sets. Because the increased rate of appearance of WPM was a transient phenomenon, it is not clear whether this is a newly noticed or a new and different phenomenon from “aggregates” observed in the past.
Histomorphologic correlation with routine histology and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Bechara F. G. , Gambichler T. , Stücker M. , Orlikov A. , Rotterdam S. , Altmeyer P. , Hoffmann K. 
Published: July 2004

Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new and promising diagnostic technique for investigation of skin tumours. We describe a method that makes evaluation and definition of specific morphologic structures of skin tumours via OCT more accurate.Materials and method: We investigated three patients with basal cell carcinoma and three patients with melanocytic nevi. Three‐dimensional (3D) images were obtained from these skin tumours via OCT according to previously applied marks, which were tattooed with special histological marking dye after excision of the tumours. Corresponding to these marks, we investigated serial histological sections (haematoxylin&eosin staining).Results: We could prove similar morphological structures both in OCT and histology. Due to tissue deformation, the compared measurements of structures like cell nests or epidermal thickness were slightly deviated. However, by this method we could prove similar tissue formations in OCT and histology.Conclusions: Due to the deformation by histological processing and slightly different sectioning levels, the comparison of histological pictures and OCT images seems difficult. Nevertheless, in two cases it was possible to demonstrate the same morphological structures with OCT imaging and histological investigation. Our method could play an important role for further evaluation of OCT images. We estimate better evaluation of OCT imaging using a 3D reconstruction method.
Clinical validation of an automated system for supporting the early diagnosis of melanoma
Authors: Sboner Andrea , Bauer Paolo , Zumiani Giuseppe , Eccher Claudio , Blanzieri Enrico , Forti Stefano , Cristofolini Mario 
Published: July 2004

Background: Early diagnosis and surgical excision is the most effective treatment of melanoma. Well‐trained dermatologists reach a high level of diagnostic accuracy with good sensitivity and specificity. Their performances increase using some technical aids as digital epiluminescence microscopy. Several studies describe the development of computerized systems whose aim is supporting dermatologists in the early diagnosis of melanoma. In many cases, the performances of those systems were comparable to those of dermatologists. However, this cannot tell us whether a system is able to support dermatologists. Actually, the computerized system might correctly recognize the same lesions that the dermatologist does, without providing them any useful advice and therefore being useless in recognizing early malignant lesions.Purpose: We present a novel approach to enhance dermatologists' performances in the diagnosis of early melanoma. We provide results of our evaluation of a computerized system combined with dermatologists.Methods: A Multiple‐Classifier system was developed on a set of 152 cases and combined to a group of eight dermatologists to support them by improving their sensitivity.Results: The eight dermatologists have average sensitivity and specificity values of 0.83 and 0.66, respectively. The Multiple‐Classifier system performs as well as the eight dermatologists (sensitivity range: 0.75–0.86; specificity range: 0.64–0.89). The combination with the dermatologists shows an average improvement of 11% (P=0.022) of dermatologists' sensitivity.Conclusion: Our results suggest that an automated system can be effective in supporting dermatologists because it recognizes different malignant melanomas with respect to the dermatologists.
Pilot study of dermal and subcutaneous fat structures by MRI in individuals who differ in gender, BMI, and cellulite grading
Authors: Mirrashed F. , Sharp J. C. , Krause V. , Morgan J. , Tomanek B. 
Published: July 2004

Background/aims: Puckered, dimply skin on the thighs, hips, and buttocks is known as cellulite. The cause of cellulite is not known, although there are a number of different hypotheses. In this study, we use magnetic resonance (MR) micro‐imaging to study cellulite skin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported MR study of cellulite.Methods: High‐resolution in vivo MR images of the postlateral thigh skin of two male groups and four female groups were obtained. Subjects were grouped according to their body mass index (BMI) and cellulite grade. A qualitative assessment of how MRI can be used to differentiate skin tissue at different levels of cellulite grading was performed.Results: We found that changes in skin architecture with cellulite can be visualized by in vivo MR micro‐imaging. The skin fat layers beneath the dermis and down to the level of muscles are well visualized in the images. Also, the diffuse pattern of extrusion of underlying adipose tissue into dermis is clearly imaged, and was found to correlate with cellulite grading.We also show that other skin tissue parameters such as (a) the percentile of adipose vs. connective tissue in a given volume of hypodermis and (b) the percentile of hypodermic invaginations inside the dermis are correlated with cellulite grade.Conclusion: MR images can be interpreted to measure tissue parameters correlated with cellulite. Considering that we had only three subjects in each group, the achievements of this pilot study were highly satisfactory. We have shown that the in vivo micro‐MR is a technique able to detect the effects of cellulite and gender. This study can be extended for further investigations of drugs and/or medical devices for cellulite treatment.
On the course of the irritant reaction after irritation with sodium lauryl sulphate
Authors: Gloor Max , Senger Bettina , Langenauer Marcel , Fluhr Joachim W. 
Published: July 2004

Background: The sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) irritation test is a well‐established model for irritant contact dermatitis after the effects of surfactants.Aim of the study: The course of changes in corneometric measurements (stratum corneum hydration), in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), in laser Doppler measurements (epidermal perfusion) and in colorimetric measurements (skin redness), after a single SLS irritation, should be studied over time.Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers were studied. Irritation with 1% SLS solution was applied to the side of one forearm for 24 h under occlusive conditions, while the symmetrical experimental site remained untreated. Measurements were made for 9 days after completion of SLS irritation.Results: Stratum corneum hydration was reduced immediately after irritation, and subsequently a hyper‐hydration was observed. The increase in TEWL, laser Doppler measurements and skin redness persisted for 7–9 days. With regard to skin redness, a mild blanching effect was noticeable after 9 days.Discussion: The evidence of very short‐term exsiccation of the stratum corneum with persistent barrier damage, as well as reactive hyper‐hydration and blanching of the skin, is remarkable. These first findings suggest that exsiccation of the stratum corneum is not caused by a damage to barrier lipids.
Effect of compression on blood flow in lower limb wounds
Authors: Oduncu Hakan , Clark Michael , Williams Robert J 
Published: July 2004

AbstractBlood flow is believed to be a key parameter in the formation and management of lower limb wounds. Patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs) have high venous pressures, due to the partial or complete failure of calf muscle pump, which in turn disturbs the local blood flow within the lower limb. Compression has currently been the mainstay for treatment of VLUs and is thought to restore valvular competence and reduce or suppress superficial and deep venous reflux. Efficacy and assessment of compression therapy can be understood in a better way by measuring blood flow in lower limbs. Publications applicable to the effects of compression on lower limb blood flow parameters are summarised. However, they have shown varying results due to the different methodology and assessment techniques used. This article seeks to explore the methods of assessment of blood flow in the lower limb associated with wound management and compression in particular and provides suggestions for future explorations.