bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health‐Related Quality of Life, Functional Impairment, and Healthcare Utilization by Veterans: Veterans' Quality of Life Study
Authors: Singh Jasvinder A. , Borowsky Steven J. , Nugent Sean , Murdoch Maureen , Zhao Yanli , Nelson David B. , Petzel Robert , Nichol Kristin L. 
Published: December 2004

Objectives: To describe the health status of veterans receiving care in a veterans integrated service network (VISN).Design: Cross‐sectional survey with prospective follow‐up.Setting: Former Upper Midwest VISN 13 (now a part of VISN 23), a regional Veterans Affairs (VA) network comprising five inpatient facilities and associated outpatient clinics.Participants: All veterans in VISN 13 who had at least one inpatient or outpatient encounter between October 1, 1997, and March 31, 1998.Measurements: Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) assessed using subscales and component summaries from the 36‐item short form for veterans (SF36‐V), functional status assessed according to limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs), healthcare utilization assessed according to outpatient visits and hospitalizations, and death.Results: Of 70,334 eligible veterans, 40,508 responded and reported baseline HRQOL significantly lower than that of the general U.S. population for the physical (35.6, P<.001) and mental (46.4, P<.001) component summary scores (PCS and MCS, respectively) of the SF36‐V. Many reported complete inability or some difficulty in completing ADLs such as getting in and out of a chair (35.1%) and walking (45.3%). More than 58% indicated some degree of difficulty with at least one of the ADLs. In multivariate analysis, PCS and MCS were significantly associated with subsequent use of inpatient and outpatient care and with mortality.Conclusion: The low quality of life and associated high rates of health services utilization in VA patients imply a need for innovative strategies to improve the HRQOL and functional status of this population.
Rapid quantitation of immunoglobulin G antibodies specific for blood group antigens A and B by surface plasmon resonance
Authors: Kimura Shinya , Yurugi Kimiko , Segawa Hidekazu , Kuroda Junya , Sato Kiyoshi , Nogawa Masaki , Yuasa Takeshi , Egawa Hiroto , Tanaka Koichi , Maekawa Taira 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  The measurement of immunoglobulin (Ig) G blood group A/B antibody(anti‐A/B) levels is important for ABO‐unmatched organ recipients because the effective removal of the antibodies improves their prognosis. Currently existing methods to detect IgG anti‐A/B suffer limitations owing to high costs, low throughput, and poor adaptability to automation.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  We have developed a rapid means to quantitate IgG anti‐A/B by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). To investigate the accuracy, a serially diluted plasma sample from a donor was measured with the SPR method. Moreover, IgG anti‐A/B titers in 45 healthy volunteers were measured both by the SPR and by the standard tube test (TT) method, as were plasma samples from two ABO‐unmatched organ recipients.RESULTS:  The change in titers when the same plasma was diluted was precisely reflected by the SPR method. The coefficients of correlation between SPR and TT methods for IgG anti‐A and anti‐B were 0.85 and 0.56, respectively. The SPR values also paralleled the TT values, which showed a decline in titers after the removal of antibodies by double‐filtration plasmapheresis or plasma exchange.CONCLUSION:  This SPR method can be used to measure IgG anti‐A/B titers in the plasma very quickly and quantitatively.
Blood bank on‐call physician's experiences at a large university medical center
Authors: Bryant Barbara J. , Alperin Jack B. , Indrikovs Alexander J. 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  The responsibilities of the blood bank on‐call physician (blood bank physician from here on) encompass many aspects of transfusion medicine and physician education. This physician is available 24 hours a day to address any issues concerning the collection and transfusion of blood and blood components. The purpose of this study was to identify and categorize the issues that may confront a blood bank physician.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Each call received over a 4‐month period was logged and the resolution documented. The calls were grouped into five categories: donor issues, therapeutic procedure issues, patient issues, physician education issues, and requests for blood components not meeting previously defined transfusion guidelines.RESULTS:  The blood bank physician received 224 calls during the study period. To resolve each issue, an additional 1 to 14 telephone calls were needed to gather further information. Number of calls by category were donor issues, 20 (8.9%); therapeutic procedure issues, 9 (4.0%); patient issues, 4 (1.8%); physician education issues, 33 (14.7%); and requests for blood components not meeting previously defined transfusion guidelines, 158 (70.6%). Requests for blood components were denied in 39.8 percent of the cases not meeting guidelines. Other forms of therapy were warranted in 20.9 percent of the cases.CONCLUSION:  This study revealed that 85.3 percent of the calls referred to the blood bank physician related to physician education and the appropriateness of blood component orders. These results emphasize the need for ongoing education of medical staff in transfusion medicine issues.
Multiple red cell alloantibodies, including anti‐Dib, after allogeneic ABO‐matched peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation
Authors: Żupańska Barbara , Zaucha J. Maciej , Michalewska Bogumila , Malinowska Aniela , Brojer Ewa , Hellmann Andrzej 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  Data on red blood cell (RBC) alloantibody appearance after hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation (HPCT) from an ABO‐matched donor are limited.CASE REPORT:  A 32‐year‐old Caucasian man with chronic myeloid leukemia, never transfused, conditioned with BuCy120, received granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor–mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells from his HLA‐identical sister. Graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine A and methotrexate. The patient engrafted showing complete donor chimerism and developed Grade 3 acute GVHD and subsequently extensive chronic GVHD. He received 2 units of RBCs on Days 13 and 14 without clinical signs of hemolysis.RESULTS:  Patient was 0 Rh–K–JK(a–) and donor was 0 Rh+K–JK(a–). Pretransplant alloantibody screening was negative in the patient. In the donor, anti‐E was detected before donation, together with anti‐Jka and anti‐Dib 4, 9, and 12 months after donation, likely triggered by RBC transfusion 2 months before cell harvest. In the patient, anti‐Jka was detected on Day +25 and later anti‐E and anti‐Dib as well. In both, a Dia/Dia genotype was identified. Both parents were Di(a+b+).CONCLUSIONS:  Three kinds of non‐ABO alloantibodies were detected, including anti‐Dib described for the first time after HPCT. The rapid development of antibodies in the recipient despite intensive immunosuppression suggests their production by the donor cells primed by the RBC transfusion before HPC harvest. Their production by the residual host cells cannot be unequivocally excluded, however.
Risk for postoperative infection after transfusion of white blood cell–filtered allogeneic or autologous blood components in orthopedic patients undergoing primary arthroplasty
Authors: Innerhofer Petra , Klingler Anton , Klimmer Christian , Fries Dietmar , Nussbaumer Walter 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  This study was designed to obtain data on the incidence of postoperative infection in patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery and receiving white blood cell (WBC)‐filtered blood components prepared according to current standards.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  A total of 308 consecutive orthopedic patients who opted for preoperative autologous blood donation (PAD) for primary unilateral hip and knee replacement surgery were enrolled in a prospective observational study of the incidence of postoperative infection. Patients with contraindications for PAD or with any infectious disease were not included in the study. To identify probably confounding factors, differences between patient groups were analyzed first. Identified factors, which differed between groups, and variables describing blood supply were further tested in uni‐ and multivariate logistic regression analysis for their independent influence on development of postoperative infection. Infection rates were compared on the basis of actual transfusion groups.RESULTS:  Of the 308 study patients, 101 were not transfused, 85 received their PAD, 100 received allogeneic WBC‐filtered red blood cells (RBCs), and 22 were given autologous RBCs and additionally allogeneic WBC‐filtered RBCs. Overall the infection rate was 6.82 percent (21/308). Infection rates varied significantly between transfusion groups (no transfusion, 6.9%; autologous RBCs, 1.2%; allogeneic WBC‐filtered RBCs, 12.0%; both transfusion types, 4.6%; p = 0.03). Allogeneic recipients showed significantly more infections compared to autologous recipients (p = 0.0053). Multivariate regression analysis confirmed transfusion of allogeneic WBC‐filtered RBCs as an independent variable predicting postoperative infection (odds ratio, 23.65; confidence interval, 1.3‐422.1; p = 0.01).CONCLUSION:  Differences in postoperative infection rates between allogeneic and autologous recipients are still observable, although universal WBC filtration has been introduced into clinical practice.
Collaborative study to evaluate a working reagent for West Nile virus RNA detection by nucleic acid testing
Authors: Saldanha John , Shead Susan , Heath Alan , Drebot Michael ,   West Nile Virus Collaborative Study Group
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND: A nucleic acid test (NAT) assay reference reagent for West Nile virus (WNV) RNA, consisting of heat‐inactivated WNV grown in tissue culture and diluted in pooled, negative human plasma, was evaluated and quantitated in a collaborative study in which 14 laboratories participated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants were requested to assay serial half‐log and log dilutions of the reagent to determine the RNA endpoint. A single endpoint for each such dilution series was calculated with the maximum likelihood method, which assumes that the probability of a positive result at a given dilution follows a Poisson distribution. The calculated endpoint was used to give an estimated “NAT‐detectable units per mL” (not necessarily equivalent to genome equivalents/mL or copies/mL). The assays used by participants included qualitative and quantitative NAT assays and both the commercial WNV assays (Chiron and Roche).RESULTS: The estimated number of detectable units per mL for the 14 laboratories varied from log 2.0 to 3.0 with the exception of two outliers. The overall mean titer for all the assays was log 2.52 detectable units per mL (330 detectable units/mL). Multiple testing of individual vials by two laboratories indicated that there was no evidence of vial‐to‐vial variation in WNV content of the reference reagent.CONCLUSION: A reference reagent for WNV NAT assays has been established. The mean titer of the reagent, with the results from 14 laboratories, was 330 detectable units per mL.
Blood donor white blood cell reduction filters as a source of human peripheral blood–derived endothelial progenitor cells
Authors: Teleron Amylynn A. , Carlson Brian , Young Pampee P. 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  Neovascularization in tumors, wounds, and sites of ischemic injury occurs by both angiogenesis (proliferation from existing vessels) and by vasculogenesis (differentiation into endothelial cells from circulating endothelial progenitor cells [EPCs]). EPCs can be obtained from marrow, from cord blood, or by ex vivo expansion of human peripheral blood (PB). The ease of obtaining human PB EPCs has led many recent studies to utilize PB EPCs. The ability to obtain large numbers of PB EPCs would greatly facilitate characterization to further our understanding of EPC biology and their application in cellular gene therapy.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) from whole blood or from the material obtained from white blood cell (WBC) reduction filters were isolated. The cells from both sources were then cultured separately under defined conditions to quantify EPC yield from each source.RESULTS:  The yield of EPCs per million PBMNCs plated was approximately 3.5‐fold higher from fresh PB. Because greater numbers of PBMNCs were obtained from each filter, however, the mean yield of EPCs from one filter versus fresh blood was 5.4 million versus 0.4 million, respectively (approx. 14‐fold increased yield).CONCLUSION:  The use of WBC reduction filters provides a safe, inexpensive, and readily available source for large numbers of PBMNCs from which culture‐expanded EPCs can be generated for further study.
New and unusual O alleles at the ABO locus are implicated in unexpected blood group phenotypes
Authors: Hosseini‐Maaf Bahram , Irshaid Nidal M. , Hellberg Åsa , Wagner Thomas , Levene Cyril , Hustinx Hein , Steffensen Rudi , Chester M. Alan , Olsson Martin L. 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  In the ABO blood group system mutations in the A gene may lead to weak A subgroups owing to a dysfunctional 3‐α‐N‐acetylgalactosaminyltransferase.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Blood and DNA were investigated to correlate weak A phenotypes with genotype, and an overrepresentation of the infrequent O2 allele was observed. Consequently, 57 available O2 alleles were examined in detail.RESULTS:  Two new O2 alleles were identified having mutations resulting in Gly229Asp with or without Arg217Cys. A recently described O2 variant (488C>T; Thr163Met) was also found. Surprisingly, both the original and the variant O2 alleles were associated with either O or Aweak phenotypes. Three novel O alleles surfaced in six other samples with suspected A subgroups. These were A1‐like alleles having nonsense mutations causing premature truncation at codons 56, 107, or 181. A second example of the rare O3 allele was also identified. A newly described O1 allele having 768C>A was found to be the third most frequent O allele among Swedish donors. Of the five novel O alleles, three were incorrectly interpreted as A1 following routine ABO genotyping.CONCLUSION:  Apparent O alleles lacking 261delG may cause weak A expression on red blood cells and/or inhibit anti‐A production. A hypothesis that exchange of genetic material between principally dissimilar O alleles during mitosis (“autologous chimerism”) restores glycosyltransferase activity in some cells would explain this interesting phenomenon.
Enhancement of bone volume in guided bone augmentation by cell transplants derived from periosteum: an experimental study in rabbit calvarium bone
Authors: Miyamoto Ikuya , Tsuboi Yoichi , Takahashi Katsu , Hyon Suong‐Hyu , Iizuka Tadahiko 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:Bone morphology is genetically encoded and it is usually difficult to change its structure without invasive surgery. We have tried to stimulate bone augmentation by a combination of guided bone regeneration techniques and cell transplants with collagen scaffolds for the suitable skeletal framework. In vitro‐expanded tibia periosteum cells were used to promote osteogenesis with collagen scaffolds and titanium (Ti) or poly‐l‐lactic acid (PLLA) caps as barriers to create a space facing connective tissue under calvarium skin. This approach was assessed in the defective skull bone of a rabbit model. After a 12‐week healing period, histomorphometric analyses were performed to determine the percentage of newly formed mineralized tissue in the cap. The mean percentage of newly formed mineralized tissue within the cap was 15.4%±3.99 for the Ti cap group, 15.5%±4 for the PLLA cap group, 6.19%±4.94 for the PLLA cap+collagen carrier group and 23.1%±23.1 for the PLLA+collagen carrier+cell transplants group. The cell transplant group showed a significantly higher value than other groups (P<0.05, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Mann–Whitney U‐test). This approach of guided bone augmentation and cultured cell transplants with collagen carrier exhibited significantly greater morphogenesis of mineralized tissue than the control over a 12‐week experimental period.
Early loading (2 or 6 weeks) of sandblasted and acid‐etched (SLA) ITI® implants in the posterior mandible
Authors: Salvi Giovanni E. , Gallini Guido , Lang Niklaus P. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract: The aim of this 1‐year prospective controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of early loading of ITI® solid screw titanium implants with a sandblasted and acid‐etched (SLA) surface on clinical and radiographic parameters.Material and methods: Twenty‐seven consecutively admitted patients presenting bilateral edentulous posterior mandibular areas and in need of prosthetic reconstruction were recruited. Sixty‐seven ITI® standard solid screw implants with an SLA surface, a diameter of 4.1 mm and a length of 8, 10 or 12 mm were installed bilaterally in molar and premolar areas according to a one‐stage surgical protocol. One week (test) and 5 weeks (control) after implant placement, solid ITI® prosthetic abutments were connected using a torque of 35 N cm. No provisional restoration was fabricated. Two weeks (test) and 6 weeks (control) after implant placement, porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal single‐tooth crowns were cemented. Clinical measurements were obtained at day 0 and 2, 6, 12, 24 and 52 weeks thereafter. Periapical radiographs were taken immediately after implant placement, after 6 weeks and at the 1‐year examination.Results: After 1 year, implant survival was 100%. Two test and one control implants rotated at the time of abutment connection and were left unloaded for 12 additional weeks. At the 1‐year examination, no statistically significant differences were found between the test and control sites with respect to pocket probing depths (2.6 mm±0.5 vs. 2.7 mm±0.5), mean clinical attachment levels (3.1 mm±0.4 vs. 3.2 mm±0.5), mean percentages of sites bleeding on probing (9.7% vs. 8.3%), mean widths of keratinized mucosa (1.8 mm±0.4 vs. 1.9 mm±0.5), mean PerioTest® values (−1.4 PTV±0.9 vs. −1.6 PTV±0.8) or mean crestal bone loss measurements (0.57 mm±0.49 vs. 0.72 mm±0.50).Conclusion: Based on these results, loading of titanium implants with an SLA surface as early as 2 weeks did not appear to jeopardize the osseointegration healing process in the posterior mandible. Furthermore, implants rotating at 35 N cm, if left unloaded for additional 12 weeks, did not negatively affect clinical and radiographic outcomes.
Plasma TGF‐β1 as a risk factor for gingival overgrowth
Authors: Ellis J. S. , Morgan C. L. , Kirby J. A. , Taylor J. J. , Thomason J. M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aims: Induction of the pro‐fibrotic growth factor TGF‐β1 has been suggested as a possible mechanism through which immunosuppressant drugs may induce gingival overgrowth. This study aims to investigate plasma levels of TGF‐β1 and relate them to the development and severity of gingival overgrowth in immunosuppressed transplant patients.Materials and Methods: One hundred and thirty‐two ciclosporin‐treated and 13 tacrolimus‐treated transplant patients and 24 drug‐free control subjects underwent a full periodontal examination including a determination of the presence and severity of gingival overgrowth.Results: Plasma TGF‐β1 concentrations were determined by ELISA, and were found to be significantly elevated in samples from the transplant patients (mean=29.1 ng/ml) as compared with controls (mean=6.1 ng/ml, p<0.0001). There was no significant difference between the levels of plasma TGF‐β1 in the ciclosporin‐ and tacrolimus‐treated patient groups.Conclusions: Furthermore, concomitant treatment with calcium channel blockers did not influence the levels of plasma TGF‐β1 in the patients group. The relationship between gingival overgrowth, independent periodontal variables and TGF‐β1 plasma concentrations was examined using univariate and multivariate regression analyses; low TGF‐β1 plasma concentrations were found to be a risk factor for gingival overgrowth in immunosuppressed patients concomitantly receiving a calcium channel blocker.
Guided tissue regeneration in intrabony periodontal defects following treatment with two bioabsorbable membranes in combination with bovine bone mineral graft
Authors: Vouros Ioannis , Aristodimou Elena , Konstantinidis Antonis 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim: Comparison of two bioabsorbable barriers (collagen and polylactic acid (PLA) membranes) combined with a bovine bone mineral (BBM) graft, with an access flap procedure (AFP) alone for treating intrabony defects.Material and Methods: Thirty‐four subjects participated in this prospective, controlled clinical trial. Baseline clinical examination (probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL)) of selected sites was performed 2 months after completion of conservative treatment in conjunction with hard‐tissue measurements to ascertain the depth of the defect (cementoenamel junction to the bottom of the defects). After randomly dividing patients into three groups (two membrane groups, one control group), full thickness flaps were elevated and exposed root surfaces planed before filling defects with bone graft and positioning a barrier membrane covering the defect. The control group was treated identically except for the barrier and bone graft placement. Clinical treatment outcomes were finally evaluated 12 months after surgery for changes of PD and CAL. Radiographs at baseline and 12 months were compared using non‐standardized digital radiography.Results: A mean reduction in PD value of 5.08 mm and mean CAL gain of 4.39 mm occurred in the collagen‐BBM group. Corresponding values for the PLA‐BBM group were 4.72 and 3.71 mm, while acess flap procedure (AFP) sites produced values of 2.50 and 2.43 mm. All improvements in clinical parameters were statistically significant (p<0.001) within groups for all variables. Both membranes produced statistically greater PD reduction and CAL gain compared with AFP treatment (p<0.05). Comparison between barrier groups failed to reveal any statistically significant difference in probing pocket depth reduction (p=0.56) or in CAL gain (p=0.34).Conclusion: Placement of the two barrier membranes used in the present study in combination with BBM graft significantly improved clinical and radiographic parameters of deep intrabony pockets and proved superior to access flap alone.