bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimation of bacterial risk in extending the shelf life of PLT concentrates from 5 to 7 days
Authors: Lee C.K. , Ho P.L. , Lee K.Y. , Cheng W.W. , Chan N.K. , Tsoi W.C. , Lin C.K. 
Published: July 2003

BACKGROUND: The use of bacterial culture to prevent bacterial contamination of blood components has renewed interest for extending the shelf life of PLT concentrates to 7 days after collection.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was therefore conducted to determine the residual risk of bacterial contamination in PLT concentrates at the end of 5 and 7 days after collection in a center where all PLT concentrates are routinely screened by taking samples on Day 2 for culture. PLT units with no growth after 48 hours were sampled a second time on Day 5 or Day 7 after collection, followed by inoculation into aerobic culture bottles. The inoculated bottles were then monitored for up to 7 days at 35°C in an automatic monitoring and detection system.RESULTS: During a 16‐month study period, a total of 6020 PLT concentrates were tested 5 days (Group A, n=3010) and 7 days (Group B, n=3010) after collection. Four units in each group (0.133%) were found to be contaminated. In 6 units, bacteria were seen on direct Gram stain. In addition, 5 of the associated RBC units grew the same organisms on culture. The organisms include three coagulase‐negative staphylococci and five Propionibacterium acnes. The positive rate of routine short‐term bacterial culture was 0.035 percent during the same study period.CONCLUSION: Despite routine short‐term bacterial culture, a significant risk of bacterial contamination remains at 5 and 7 days after collection. For now, the shelf life of PLT concentrates should remain 5 days.
Biologic activity of RANTES in apheresis PLT concentrates and its involvement in nonhemolytic transfusion reactions
Authors: Wakamoto Shinobu , Fujihara Mitsuhiro , Kuzuma Kazuhiro , Sato Shinichiro , Kato Toshiaki , Naohara Tohru , Kasai Masaharu , Sawada Ken‐ichi , Kobayashi Ryoji , Kudoh Tooru , Ikebuchi Kenji , Azuma Hiroshi , Ikeda Hisami 
Published: July 2003

BACKGROUND: RANTES, one of the PLT‐derived biologic response modifiers, accumulates in PLT concentrates (PCs) during storage and may play a causative role in nonhemolytic transfusion reactions (NHTRs) after PC transfusion.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To investigate the association of RANTES with NHTRs, the biologic activity of RANTES in the supernatant of stored PC at the intravascular concentration expected after PC transfusion was assessed by examining chemotaxis and histamine release in human basophils. In addition, the levels of RANTES in PCs involved in NHTRs were compared with those in PCs causing no transfusion reactions.RESULTS: The supernatant of PC diluted to contain 1 nM RANTES significantly increased the migration of and release of histamine from basophils. Neutralizing antibody to RANTES suppressed the PC‐triggered migration, but not histamine release. The levels of RANTES in PCs involved in NHTRs after PC transfusion were comparable to those in PCs that did not cause any transfusion reactions.CONCLUSION: RANTES that accumulated in PCs during storage was biologically active in a basophil chemotaxis assay at the intravascular concentration expected after PC transfusion. However, the NHTRs after PC transfusion were not simply related to the RANTES level in PCs.
ABO mismatch increases transplant‐related morbidity and mortality in patients given nonmyeloablative allogeneic HPC transplantation
Authors: Worel Nina , Kalhs Peter , Keil Felix , Prinz Erika , Moser Karin , Schulenburg Axel , Mitterbauer Margit , Mannhalter Christine , Mayr Wolfgang R. , Schwarzinger Ilse , Höcker Paul , Lechner Klaus , Greinix Hildegard T. 
Published: July 2003

BACKGROUND: ABO mismatch has not been thought to affect the outcome of patients undergoing myeloablative conditioning and allogeneic HPC transplantation. Data on transplant‐related complications after ABO‐mismatched transplantation after nonmyeloablative conditioning are limited.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Therefore, 40 patients were analyzed after nonmyeloablative conditioning with regard to ABO compatibility. Eleven received a minor and bidirectional and 8 a major ABO‐mismatched graft.RESULTS: Four patients had evidence of hemolysis during engraftment, being lethal in one, and three developed pure RBC aplasia. Six patients in the ABO‐mismatched group developed thrombotic microangiopathy, and three of them died. ABO‐identical and ABO‐mismatched patients had a similar incidence of GVHD. Viral infections occurred in both groups in equal shares. Patients with an ABO‐mismatch had to be rehospitalized until Day 100 for a median of 19 days versus 0 days in the identical group (p < 0.05). Overall survival was 60 and 57 percent in the ABO‐identical and ABO‐mismatch groups, respectively. The probability of transplant‐related mortality was 0 versus 28 percent in the identical group compared to patients with an ABO mismatch (p < 0.05). The probability of relapse or progression was 76 versus 25 percent in the ABO‐identical group compared to the ABO‐mismatched group, respectively.CONCLUSION: Significantly more patients with ABO mismatch showed transplant‐associated complications and died as a result of transplant‐related causes.
Effect of WBC reduction and storage temperature on PLTs frozen with 6 percent DMSO for as long as 3 years
Authors: Valeri C. Robert , Srey Rithy , Lane Joseph P. , Ragno Gina 
Published: July 2003

BACKGROUND: PLTs frozen with 6 percent DMSO can be stored at −80°C for 2 years, while those frozen with 5 percent DMSO at −150°C can be stored for at least 3 years. The more rapid deterioration seen in PLTs frozen at −80°C may be due to the presence of granulocytes. The effects of storage temperature and WBC reduction on PLTs frozen with DMSO and the breakage of the PVC plastic bags stored at −80 and −135°C were assessed.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Apheresed PLT‐rich plasma (PRP) was either divided into two equal volumes where one volume was WBC‐reduced and the other volume was not or filtered or not and then divided into two equal volumes. PLTs frozen with 6 percent DMSO were stored in PVC plastic bags at either −80 or −135°C for as long as 3 years.RESULTS: After 2 years of storage at −80°C, the PLTs exhibited satisfactory freeze‐thaw‐wash values regardless of whether or not they were WBC‐reduced, but after 2 to 3 years of storage at −80°C, the PLTs had significantly reduced freeze‐thaw‐wash values. Freeze‐thaw‐wash values were not reduced in PLTs stored at −135°C for up to 3 years.CONCLUSIONS: WBC reduction did not improve freeze‐thaw‐wash recovery values in PLTs stored at −80 or −135°C for up to 3 years, but reducing the storage temperature from −80 to −135°C did. Breakage of PVC plastic bags stored at −135°C was excessive.
Quantification of glycophorin A and glycophorin B on normal human RBCs by flow cytometry
Authors: Isla Natalia G. de , Riquelme Bibiana D. , Rasia Rodolfo J. , Valverde Juana R. , Stoltz Jean F. 
Published: July 2003

BACKGROUND: The quantification of antigens and proteins on RBCs has been achieved by different approaches. Flow cytometry allows the results of the earliest studies to be to reappraised because it offers the possibility of measuring the immunofluorescence intensity of single cells and integrating the individual data of a large number of cells within a very short time.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Flow cytometry was used in this work to analyze the binding of four MoAbs to glycophorin A (GPA) and glycophorin B (GPB). RBCs in their native state (nonfixed) were utilized. To avoid the agglutination problem, cells were disaggregated before measurements, dates were taken on 20,000 events on the single‐cell region, and the fluorescence intensity of the principal peak present in the fluorescence histograms was used for the analysis. The quantification of sites per RBC was estimated by applying the Langmuir adhesion model.RESULTS: The numbers of GPA and GPB sites obtained for samples from healthy donors were similar to those found in the literature (1.86‐4.9) × 105 and (0.48‐1.61) × 105 for GPA and (0.21‐1.14) × 105 and (0.47‐0.88) × 105 for GPB. Differences between antibodies were found that depend on the binding site of each one.CONCLUSION: A simple method to quantify antigen sites on RBCs was developed. It could be applied whenever one antibody is assumed to bind exactly one antigen.
Molecular genetic analysis for the Ae1 and A3 alleles
Authors: Sun Chien‐Feng , Yu Lung‐Chih , Chen Ing‐Ping , Chou Ding‐Lun , Twu Yuh‐Ching , Wang Wei‐Ting , Lin Marie 
Published: July 2003

BACKGROUND: In addition to the common ABO phenotypes, numerous phenotypes with a weak expression of the A or B antigens on RBCs have been found. This study describes the molecular genetic analysis of the Ael and the A3 phenotypes.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The seven‐exon regions of the ABO genes of Ael and A3B individuals were amplified by PCR and cloned, and the sequences of the exons and their adjacent splice sites were analyzed. Samples from 30 randomly selected A1 individuals were also assessed.RESULTS: The A gene with wild‐type coding sequence was demonstrated in the Ael propositus, but all the six unrelated Taiwanese people with the Ael or AelB phenotype were shown to possess an A allele with the G→A mutation at the +5 position of intron 6 (IVS6+5G→A). RT‐PCR analysis showed that the complete A transcript structure was absent in the Ael RNA samples. The A3B individual possessed an A gene with an 838C→T missense mutation.CONCLUSION: The results suggest an association of the Ael*IVS6+5G→A allele with the Ael phenotype in Taiwanese people. The mechanism defining how the Ael*IVS6+5G→A allele leads to the Ael phenotype awaits elucidation.
Effects of Amiodarone and Dronedarone on Voltage‐Dependent Sodium Current in Human Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Lalevée Nathalie , Barrère‐lemaire Stéphanie , Gautier Patrick , Nargeot Joël , Richard Sylvain 
Published: July 2003

Introduction: Amiodarone (AM) is a highly effective antiarrhythmic agent used in the management of both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Its noniodinated analogue dronedarone (SR) may have fewer side effects than AM. In this study, we compared the effects of AM and SR on the sodium current INa in human atrial myocytes. Methods and Results: INa was studied with the whole‐cell, patch clamp technique. Both AM and SR induced a dose‐dependent inhibition of INa recorded at −40 mV from a holding potential of −100 mV. AM inhibited INa by 41%± 11% (n = 4) at 3 μM, and by 80%± 7% (n = 5) at 30 μM. SR produced more potent block, inhibiting INa significantly at only 0.3 μM (23%± 10%, n = 4) and completely (97%± 4%, n = 4) at 3 μM. Both AM and SR had only moderate effects on voltage‐dependent properties of INa (current‐voltage relationship, availability for activation) and had no effect on the current decay kinetics. Conclusion: Both AM and SR inhibit INa significantly in single human atrial cells, showing that the two drugs have Class I antiarrhythmic properties. The acute effects of SR are more potent than those of AM. The study supports the idea that the iodinated form of the molecule has no part in the acute effect of AM on Na+ channels. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 885‐890, August 2003)
Evidence of Specialized Conduction Cells in Human Pulmonary Veins of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Perez‐Lugones Alejandro , McMahon James T. , Ratliff Norman B. , Saliba Walid I. , Schweikert Robert A. , Marrouche Nassir F. , Saad Eduardo B. , Navia José L. , McCarthy Patrick M. , Tchou Patrick , Gillinov A. Marc , Natale Andrea 
Published: July 2003

Introduction: Depolarizations similar to those from the sinus node have been documented from the pulmonary veins after isolation procedures. We assessed the hypothesis that sinus node‐like tissue is present in the pulmonary veins of humans. Methods and Results: Pulmonary vein tissue was obtained from five autopsies (four individuals with a history of atrial fibrillation and one without a history of atrial arrhythmias) and five transplant heart donors. Autopsy veins were fixed in formaldehyde and processed for light microscopy to identify areas having possible conductive‐like tissue. Areas requiring additional study were extracted from paraffin blocks and reprocessed for electron microscopy. Donor specimens were fixed in formaldehyde for histologic sections and glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy. Myocardial cells with pale cytoplasm were identified by light microscopy in 4 of the 5 autopsy subjects. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of P cells, transitional cells, and Purkinje cells in the pulmonary veins of these cases. Conclusion: Our report is the first to show the presence of P cells, transitional cells, and Purkinje cells in human pulmonary veins. Whether these cells are relevant in the genesis of atrial fibrillation requires further study. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 803‐809, August 2003)
Circadian Profile of Cardiac Autonomic Nervous Modulation in Healthy Subjects:
Authors: Bonnemeier Hendrik , Wiegand Uwe K.H. , Brandes Axel , Kluge Nina , Katus Hugo A. , Richardt Gert , Potratz Jürgen 
Published: July 2003

Introduction: Although heart rate variability (HRV) has been established as a tool to study cardiac autonomic activity, almost no data are available on the circadian patterns of HRV in healthy subjects aged 20 to 70 years. Methods and Results: We investigated 166 healthy volunteers (81 women and 85 men; age 42 ± 15 years, range 20–70) without evidence of cardiac disease. Time‐domain HRV parameters were determined from 24‐hour Holter monitoring and calculated as hourly mean values and mean 24‐hour values. All volunteers were fully mobile, awoke around 7 A.M., and had 6 to 8 hours of sleep. Circadian profiles of vagus‐associated HRV parameters revealed a marked day‐night pattern, with a peak at nighttime and a plateau at daytime. The characteristic nocturnal peak and the day‐night amplitude diminished with aging by decade. Estimates of overall HRV (geometric triangular index [TI], SD of NN intervals [SDNN]) and long‐term components of HRV (SD of the averages of NN intervals for all 5‐min segments [SDANN]) were low at nighttime and increased in the morning hours. There was a significant decline of 24‐hour values of all HRV parameters (P < 0.001) and a strong negative correlation (P < 0.001) with increasing age. Mean 24‐hour RR interval (P < 0.001), SDNN, mean SD of NN intervals for all 5‐minute intervals (SDNNi), and SDANN (all P < 0.01) were significantly higher in men. Younger men also exhibited significantly higher values for vagus‐associated parameters (root mean square successive difference [rMSSD], P < 0.05; SDNNi, P < 0.01); however, gender differences diminished with increasing age. Conclusion: Normal aging is associated with a constant decline of cardiac vagal modulation due to a significant decrease of nocturnal parasympathetic activity. The significant gender‐related difference of HRV decreases with aging. These findings emphasize the need to determine age‐, gender‐, and nycthemeral‐dependent normal ranges for HRV assessment. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 791‐799, August 2003)
Psychosocial Aspects of Patient‐Activated Atrial Defibrillation
Authors: Mitchell Andrew R.J. , Spurrell Philip A.R. , Boodhoo Lana , Sulke Neil 
Published: July 2003

Introduction: The atrial defibrillator empowers patients to cardiovert themselves from atrial arrhythmias at a time that is socially and physically acceptable, thereby preventing hospitalization. The long‐term psychosocial effects of repeated use of the patient‐activated atrial defibrillator at home are unknown. Methods and Results: Eighteen patients underwent placement of the Jewel AF atrial defibrillator for persistent atrial fibrillation only. All patients performed manually activated cardioversions at home under self‐administered sedation. Automatic shock therapies were disabled. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Multidimensional Health Locus of Control questionnaires were obtained before implant. All patients completed questionnaires 1 year after device implant and at long‐term follow‐up. The spouse or partner of each patient was interviewed to identify positive and negative aspects of manual cardioversion at home. The baseline patient scores for both anxiety (5.7 ± 2.7) and depression (3.4 ± 2.3) fell within the predefined range of normality. At 1 year, there was no significant change in anxiety (4.9 ± 3.7, P = 0.39) or depression (2.4 ± 1.8, P = 0.06). At long‐term follow‐up (mean 28 months), a total of 377 patient‐activated cardioversions were performed out of hospital (median 15 per patient). Scores for anxiety (6.0 ± 4.0, P = 0.70) and depression (3.2 ± 2.5, P = 0.68) remained unchanged. Conclusion: During long‐term follow‐up, patient‐activated cardioversion using the atrial defibrillator was not associated with increased anxiety or depression. The procedure was well tolerated by patients and their partners, offering an acceptable treatment option for patients with recurrent persistent atrial fibrillation. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 812‐816, August 2003)
Biphasic versus Monophasic Cardioversion in Shock‐Resistant Atrial Fibrillation:
Authors: Khaykin Yaariv , Newman David , Kowalewski Marnie , Korley Victoria , Dorian Paul 
Published: July 2003

Introduction: Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation using monophasic transthoracic shocks occasionally is ineffective. Biphasic cardioversion requires less energy than monophasic cardioversion, but its efficacy in shock‐resistant atrial fibrillation is unknown. Thus, we compared the efficacy of cardioversion using biphasic versus monophasic waveform shocks in patients with atrial fibrillation previously refractory to monophasic cardioversion. Methods and Results: Fifty‐six patients with prior failed monophasic cardioversion were randomized to either a 360‐J monophasic damped sinusoidal shock or biphasic truncated exponential shocks at 150 J, followed by 200 J and then 360 J, if necessary. If either waveform failed, patients were crossed over to the other waveform. The primary endpoint was defined as the proportion of patients achieving sinus rhythm following initial randomized therapy. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression examined independent predictors of shock success, including patient age, sex, left atrial diameter, body mass index, drug therapy, and waveform. Twenty‐eight patients were randomized to the biphasic shocks and 28 to the monophasic shocks. Sinus rhythm was restored in 61% of patients with biphasic versus 18% with monophasic shocks (P = 0.001). Seventy‐eight percent success was achieved in patients who crossed over to the biphasic shock after failing monophasic cardioversion, whereas only 33% were successfully cardioverted with a monophasic shock after crossover from biphasic shock (P = 0.02). Overall, 69% of patients who received a biphasic shock at any point in the protocol were cardioverted successfully, compared to 21% with the monophasic shock (P < 0.0001). The type of shock was the strongest predictor of shock success (P = 0.0001) in multivariate logistic regression. Conclusion: An ascending sequence of 150‐, 200‐, and 360‐J transthoracic biphasic cardioversion shocks are successful more often than a single 360‐J monophasic shock. Thus, biphasic shocks should be the recommended configuration of choice for all cardioversions. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 868‐872, August 2003)
Mode switching in dual chamber pacemakers
Authors: Marshall H.J. , Kay G.N. , Hess M. , Plumb V.J. , Bubien R.S. , Hummel J. , Dawson D. , Markewitz T. , Gammage M.D. 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
Aims
Various mode-switching algorithms are available with different tachyarrhythmia detection criteria to be satisfied to initiate mode-switching. This study evaluated three different mode-switching algorithms in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Methods and Results
Seventeen patients completed the study. Three mode-switching algorithms were downloaded as software into the pacemaker, each for 1 month in a single-blind, randomized sequence. The criteria to initiate mode-switching were: mean atrial rate (‘standard’), ‘4-of-7’ or ‘1-of-1’ atrial intervals to exceed the atrial detection rate. Symptoms for each were measured using the Symptom Checklist–Frequency and Severity index.
The median number of mode-switch episodes increased from 20 for ‘standard’ to 39 for ‘4-of-7’ (P=0·029 vs ‘standard’) and 103 for ‘1-of-1’ (P=0·0012 vs ‘standard’) onset criteria. Median duration of episodes decreased from 2·5 min with ‘standard’ to 1·4 min with ‘4-of-7’ and 0·4 min with ‘1-of-1’ onset criteria. Frequency of symptoms was lower using ‘4-of-7’ (18·2±12·0 vs 23±12·0, P=0·08) or ‘1-of-1’ (20·4±12·4 vs 23±12·0, P=0·07) than ‘standard’ onset criteria. Severity of arrhythmia tended to be less with either ‘4-of-7’ (16±10·4 vs 19·1±19·4, P=0·12) or ‘1-of-1’ (17·5±10·3 vs 19·1±9·4, P=0·18) than with ‘standard’ onset criteria.
Conclusions
The more sensitive onset criteria for detection of atrial tachyarrhythmias were associated with lower frequency and severity of symptoms.
SAFE PACE 2: Syncope and Falls in the Elderly — Pacing and Carotid Sinus Evaluation
Authors: Kenny R. A. 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
SAFE PACE is a multicentre randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of dual-chamber pacing in older patients with carotid sinus hypersensitivity and recurrent un-explained falls. Patients are eligible if they have had two or more unexplained falls (± up to one syncope) and if they have a cardio-inhibitory response (>3 s asystole) to carotid sinus massage. Patients will be randomized to receive either a Medtronic Kappa 700(Europe)/Kappa 400(North America) pacemaker or an implantable loop recorder (ILR)(control group). Patients will be required to complete weekly fall diaries. The primary outcome measure is the number of patients who fall in the 24-month follow-up period. Recruitment began in October 1998 and continues for 12 months; the follow-up is for 24 months.
Q-Gene: processing quantitative real-time RT–PCR data
Authors: Simon Perikles 
Published: July 2003

Abstract
Summary: Q-Gene is an application for the processing of quantitative real-time RT–PCR data. It offers the user the possibility to freely choose between two principally different procedures to calculate normalized gene expressions as either means of Normalized Expressions or Mean Normalized Expressions. In this contribution it will be shown that the calculation of Mean Normalized Expressions has to be used for processing simplex PCR data, while multiplex PCR data should preferably be processed by calculating Normalized Expressions. The two procedures, which are currently in widespread use and regarded as more or less equivalent alternatives, should therefore specifically be applied according to the quantification procedure used.
Availability: Web access to this program is provided at http://www.biotechniques.com/softlib/qgene.html
Contact: perikles@uni-tuebingen.de