bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Batches of intravenous immunoglobulin associated with adverse reactions in recipients contain atypically high anti‐Rh D activity
Authors: Thorpe S. J. , Fox B. J. , Dolman C. D. , Lawrence J. , Thorpe R. 
Published: December 2004

Background and Objectives The presence of anti‐Rh D in intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) products has been claimed to be associated with adverse reactions in recipients. There is currently no regulatory specification to control the level of anti‐D in IVIG products and it is unclear what this should be. Two reports of haemolysis occurring in recipients of IVIG manufactured from US plasma provided a rare opportunity to investigate whether high anti‐D levels could have induced the haemolysis.Materials and Methods We developed a direct microtitre plate haemagglutination method suitable for screening IVIG products and starting plasma pools for haemagglutinating activity.Results Of 101 batches of IVIG tested, six were found to contain specific anti‐D. Four of these batches had anti‐D titres ranging from 64 to 256 (including the two batches each associated with a report of haemolysis) and could be linked, in each case, to a starting plasma pool also positive for anti‐D.Conclusions  Our results show that IVIG products can contain appreciable anti‐D levels. To avoid potential problems in recipients, we propose an anti‐D titre of 8 as the maximum permissible limit of anti‐D in IVIG products for batch acceptance and release. The availability of a reference preparation is essential for control of this proposed requirement.
Flash electroretinography in standing horses using the DTL™ microfiber electrode
Authors: Komáromy András M. , Andrew Stacy E. , Sapp Harold L. , Brooks Dennis E. , Dawson William W. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractPurposeThe goal of our study was the evaluation of a practical method for the recording of flash electroretinograms (ERGs) in sedated, standing horses with the DTL™ microfiber electrode.MethodsThe horses were sedated intravenously with detomidine hydrochloride (0.015 mg/kg). The pupil was dilated and the auriculopalpebral nerve was blocked. The ERGs were recorded with the active electrode on the cornea (DTL™), the reference electrode near the lateral canthus, and the ground electrode over the occipital bone. The light intensities of the white strobe light were 0.03 cd·s/m2(scotopic) and 3 cd·s/m2(scotopic and photopic). Photopic and scotopic single flash and flicker responses to Ganzfeld stimulation were recorded. During the 20‐min dark adaptation period the retina was stimulated every 5 min with the 0.03 cd·s/m2single flash.ResultsThe median b‐wave amplitudes and implicit times were 38 µV and 33 ms (photopic cone‐dominated response), 43 µV and 63 ms (5‐min dark adaptation), 72 µV and 89 ms (10 min), 147 µV and 103 ms (15 min), 188 µV and 109 ms (20 min, 0.03 cd·s/m2, rod response), and 186 µV and 77 ms (20 min, 3 cd·s/m2, maximal combined rod‐cone response). A steady increase in amplitude and implicit time was noted during dark adaptation. No oscillatory potentials could be isolated.ConclusionsThe use of detomidine hydrochloride sedation and the DTL™ microfiber electrode allowed the recording of good quality ERGs. This protocol should permit the detection of functional problems in the retina without the risk involved with general anesthesia.
Inhibition of collagenase breakdown of equine corneas by tetanus antitoxin, equine serum and acetylcysteine
Authors: Haffner John C. , Fecteau Kellie A. , Eiler Hugo 
Published: December 2004

AbstractObjective To determine whether tetanus antitoxin, equine serum, and acetylcysteine, which are currently used in the treatment of equine corneal ulcer, inhibit the digestion of equine corneal collagen when exposed to collagenase in vitro.Animals studied Corneas from 40 adult horses.Procedures Sections of equine corneas were incubated with saline, a solution of bacterial collagenase in saline, bacterial collagenase in saline plus equine tetanus antitoxin, bacterial collagenase in saline plus equine serum, or bacterial collagenase in saline plus acetylcysteine. Each one of the collagenase inhibitors was tested at different concentrations. The degree of corneal collagen digestion was determined by concentrations of hydroxyproline released into the incubation media and/or by weight loss of the cornea.Results Corneas exposed to collagenase released a significant (0.05 level) large amount of hydroxyproline (43.1 ± 2.3 µg/mL/100 mg cornea/5 h) and decreased cornea weight by up to 89%. Blood serum (200 µL/mL), purified albumin or globulin fractions of serum, tetanus antitoxin (120 units/mL), and acetylcysteine (20 mg/mL) when used at the highest concentrations blocked collagenase digestive activity by approximately 50%. Dilution of inhibitors decreased corneal protection and linearly increased corneal weight loss. Purified equine serum albumin and globulin fractions were equally effective in protecting corneas.Conclusions This experiment indicates that tetanus antitoxin, serum and acetylcysteine equally protected corneas from collagenase digestion, in vitro. However, a clinical trial is needed to establish relative therapeutic value.
A Spatiotemporal Model for Mexico City Ozone Levels
Authors: Huerta Gabriel , Sansó Bruno , Stroud Jonathan R. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryWe consider hourly readings of concentrations of ozone over Mexico City and propose a model for spatial as well as temporal interpolation and prediction. The model is based on a time-varying regression of the observed readings on air temperature. Such a regression requires interpolated values of temperature at locations and times where readings are not available. These are obtained from a time-varying spatiotemporal model that is coupled to the model for the ozone readings. Two location-dependent harmonic components are added to account for the main periodicities that ozone presents during a given day and that are not explained through the covariate. The model incorporates spatial covariance structure for the observations and the parameters that define the harmonic components. Using the dynamic linear model framework, we show how to compute smoothed means and predictive values for ozone. We illustrate the methodology on data from September 1997.
Bayesian Analysis of Directed Graphs Data with Applications to Social Networks
Authors: Gill Paramjit S. , Swartz Tim B. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryA fully Bayesian analysis of directed graphs, with particular emphasis on applica- tions in social networks, is explored. The model is capable of incorporating the effects of covariates, within and between block ties and multiple responses. Inference is straightforward by using software that is based on Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. Examples are provided which highlight the variety of data sets that can be entertained and the ease with which they can be analysed.
P108The importance of studying the ductus venosus for predicting acidosis at birth in pregnancies with absent or reversed end‐diastolic (ARED) velocity flow in the umbilical arteries
Authors: Francisco R. P. V. , Yamamoto R. M. , Sakamoto K. , Miyadahira S. , Zugaib M. 
Published: December 2004

BackgroundA study of the relation between methods for assessment of fetal well‐being and birth weight.MethodsA prospective study was conducted to assess the fetal well‐being in 61 singleton pregnancies with ARED. The results of these methods were compared with the occurrence of umbilical artery pH at birth < 7.20 and < 7.15. All data were analyzed and compared using logistic regression.ConclusionThe pulsatility index for veins in the ductus venosus is the most important predictor for acidosis at birth. Once the ductus venosus pi is known, it is possible to estimate the probability of fetal acidosis in pregnancies with AREDV.
P140A case of an old age postmenopausal woman with a giant myoma uteri
Authors: Kavak Z. N. , Başgül A. 
Published: December 2004

BackgroundSince leiomyomas are estrogen dependent, the occurrence of myoma uteri in in a large size, in late postmenopausal years is unusual and should be evaluated carefully for underlying malignancy. We report here, a case of an old age postmenopausal woman with a giant myoma uteri. Ultrasonographic features, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis and treatment modalities of this rare case are presented and discussed.Case74‐year‐old woman gravida 4 para 4 was referred to our clinic with the complaint of genital bleeding and pelvic discomfort. On her gynecologic examination a pelvic mass was discovered. Detailed sonographic examination of her showed solid uterine tumor, measuring 10 × 12 × 10 cm in diameter in fundo corporal portion of the uterus. It has got typical whorled appareance with increased echogenicity compared with the uterus. Irregular sonolucent areas were seen within the tumor and thought as a possible myoma uteri with cystic degeneration. Endometrial lining was distorted and 4 mm in size. Endometrial biopsy revealed no evidence of malignancy. Since a tumor with such a size in a postmenopausal woman should be encouraged for early surgery. Surgery was performed and total abdominal histerectomy with bilateral salphingooopherectomy was performed. Laparatomy revealed a solid tumor on the uterine corpus and histologically was diagnosed as leimyoma of uteri. Postoperative follow up of her was uneventful and hormone replacement therapy was given.
P85Pulsatility index in the umbilical artery Doppler studies for predicting birth weight in pregnancies with absent or reversed end‐diastolic velocity flow (ARED) in the umbilical arteries
Authors: Francisco R. P. V. , Yamamoto R. M. , Miyadahira S. , Zugaib M. 
Published: December 2004

BackgroundA study of the relation between methods for assessment of fetal well‐being and birth weight.MethodsA prospective study was conducted to assess the fetal well‐being in 30 singleton pregnancies with ARED. The results of these methods were compared with the occurrence of birth weight above 1000 g. All data were analyzed and compared using logistic regression.ConclusionHigher values for the pulsatility index in the umbilical arteries reflect the gravity of placental lesions and the probability of occurrence of a very low birth weight.
THE CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: Clinical Epidemiology of Cardiac Disease in Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Rigatto Claudio 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major cause of death among renal transplant recipients (RTRs), accounting for 17–50% of deaths. Both cardiomyopathy (congestive heart failure [CHF] and left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH]) and ischemic heart disease (IHD) are important complications of renal transplantation, although the morbid impact of cardiomyopathy has been overlooked until recently. Echocardiographic disorders and clinical CHF occur far more frequently in RTRs than in the general population, suggesting that renal transplantation may be a state of accelerated heart failure. In contrast, the incidence of IHD in RTRs is similar to that in the Framingham cohort. Age, diabetes, and gender remain important markers of risk for both disorders. Smoking, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension appear to be the major reversible risk factors for IHD, while anemia and hypertension are major reversible risk factors for cardiomyopathy. Definitive evidence on optimal intervention is lacking. Clinical trials are needed to define optimum targets for treatment of these risk factors, especially hypertension and anemia.
Superlite Plasma Collection System
Authors: Yamazaki Sohachi 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare launched anational initiative to become plasma self‐sufficient by reducingreliance on imported plasma products and increasing plasma collectionsto enable plasma‐derived pharmaceuticals, including albumin, globulin,and Factor VIII products to use plasma collected within Japan. Inorder to realize this goal, plasma collections from volunteer donorsmust increase to about 1.5 million litres of plasma per year (1) or about 50% more than what theJapan Red Cross currently collects. A mobile device, such as theSuperlite system, will make it easier and more efficient for Japan’ssole blood collection agency, the Japan Red Cross, to add plasmacollection to mobile blood drives. Haemonetics Corporation (Braintree,MA, USA) has combined many years of apheresis experience with up‐to‐datetechnology to create the Superlite Plasma Collection System (PCS)for the Japan Red Cross. This new device, which is expected to greatlycontribute to the Red Cross's national source plasma collectionprogram, is even smaller than the Ultralite PCS and offers severaladvanced features and benefits.Light, compact, and very portable, the Superlite has a Japaneselanguage friendly user interface that continually displays collectionstatus, including time remaining in the collection procedure. The device features a protocol that limits extra‐corporealblood volume for low‐weight donors; a program used in conjunction with a reduced volume disposable bowl. Superlite, designedfor use in both fixed‐site and mobile applications, combines the portable ease‐of‐use of the Ultralite with the collection process calculation abilities of the CCS to provide a state‐of‐the‐art collection device that will help define the future of Japan plasma collection.
Long‐term Effect of Low‐density Lipoprotein Apheresis in Patients with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Higashikata Toshinori , Mabuchi Hiroshi 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  Clinical efficacy and safety of the therapeutic tool which directly removes LDL particles from circulation (LDL apheresis) have already been established in the treatment for refractory hypercholesterolemia in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Two clinical studies with event‐based assessment have demonstrated remarkably beneficial outcomes of long‐term LDL apheresis using dextran sulfate cellulose columns plus adjunctive cholesterol‐lowering drug therapy in the prevention of cardiovascular events in heterozygous FH with coronary artery disease. The results of several studies with angiographic and ultrasound‐based assessment indicate a possible role for LDL apheresis in restructuring and stabilization of atherosclerotic lesions.These clinical improvements caused by LDL apheresis in heterozygous FH support the efficacy and importance of aggressive cholesterol‐lowering therapy for secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in hypercholesterolemic patients.
Shelf‐life of bank blood and stored plasma with special reference to coagulation factors
Authors: Nilsson L. , Hedner U. , Nilsson I. M. , Robertson B. 
Published: December 2004

Whole blood and plasma drawn into plastic bags containing citrate‐phosphate‐dextrose (CPD) and stored at 4°C for various periods were studied for variations of coagulation factor and fibrinolytic activity. The blood was collected and processed in the conventional way. The most labile component, factor VIII coagulant activity, decreased to about 50 percent of its original value within the first 24 hours in whole blood, but thereafter, it decreased more slowly. Storage of whole blood for 6 hours at 4°C had an insignificant effect on VIII coagulant activity; an even slower decrease was found for factor VIII coagulant antigen. The major fall in VIII coagulant activity occurred between 6 and 24 hours of whole blood storage. Factor Vlll‐related antigen remained normal for about 1 week, but on further storage showed signs of proteolytic degradation.In plasma, there was a successive decrease in VIII coagulant activity with its minimum level (about 50% decrease as compared with the original level) after 7 to 14 days of storage. All other factor VIII activities in plasma remained unchanged throughout the study.Factor V retained its activity for about 1 week in the whole blood. Factors II, VII, IX, X, XII, XIII and fibrinogen did not fall below normal during a storage period of 35 days, nor was there any indication of increased fibrinolytic activity in either whole blood or plasma. Storage of whole blood and plasma at 4°C for 1 to 2 weeks seems to have relatively little effect on the levels and function of various coagulation components with the possible exception of factor VIII coagulant activity.
Comparison of RBCs and FFP with whole blood during liver transplant surgery
Authors: Laine Edward , Steadman Randolph , Calhoun Loni , Blackall Douglas , Levin Philip , Braunfeld Michelle , Nourmand Hamid , Neelakanta Gundappa , Ting Lena , Gornbein Jeffrey , Busuttil Ronald , Petz Lawrence 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND : Component therapy has become the accepted standard of care in transfusion medicine. In instances of large blood loss, the transfusion of whole blood rather than the combination of RBCs and FFP is rational and may be preferred. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS : In a controlled, prospective, randomized study of 33 patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation, the effectiveness of component therapy (RBCs and FFP) was compared with the use of whole blood. Coagulation tests (prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time), clotting factor levels (FV, FVIII, fibrinogen), platelet counts, the number of donor exposures, and the total volume of blood transfused for the whole‐blood group and the component‐therapy group were compared at designated times before surgery, during surgery, and 24 hours after surgery. RESULTS : There was a significant difference (p = 0.015) in the median number of donor exposures for RBCs and FFP, with fewer occuring in the whole‐blood group (n = 14.5) compared with the component group (n = 25). There was no significant difference between groups in coagulation profiles during any of the phases of surgery except for a mild decrease in fibrinogen levels in the whole‐blood group at the conclusion of surgery. There were no differences between the groups in the median volume of blood component replacement, the median age of blood components, the patients' Hct or the number of RBC‐containing components transfused. CONCLUSION : Whole blood, when compared with component therapy, is associated with fewer donor exposures yet provided equally effective replacement therapy for blood loss in liver transplantation patients.
Incidence of breakage of human RBCs frozen with 40‐percent wt/vol glycerol using two different methods for storage at –80°C
Authors: Valeri C. Robert , Lane Joseph P. , Srey Rithy , Ragno Gina 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND : We reported previously that the incidence of breakage was 34.2 percent when human RBCs were frozen with 40‐percent wt/vol glycerol in polyolefin plastic bags stored in aluminum containers at –80°C and subjected to transportation. When human RBCs were frozen with 40‐percent wt/vol glycerol at –80°C in PVC plastic bags placed in polyester plastic bags and stored in rigid corrugated cardboard boxes, transportation resulted in a 2.4‐percent incidence of breakage. The present study was done to confirm this incidence of breakage. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS : The Meryman‐ Hornblower freezing method was compared to the Naval Blood Research Laboratory (NBRL) method of freezing for incidence of bag breakage. Human RBCs frozen by the Meryman‐Hornblower method with 40‐percent wt/vol glycerol with supernatant glycerol and stored in polyolefin plastic bags in aluminum containers at –80°C were stored at the NBRL from 1974 to 2002. With the NBRL method, human RBCs frozen at –80°C without supernatant glycerol in the 800‐mL PVC plastic primary bag inside a polyester plastic bag in a rigid corrugated cardboard box were stored at the NBRL from 1984 to 2002. RESULTS : The incidence of breakage for 532 units of RBCs that had been frozen by the Meryman‐ Hornblower method and stored in aluminum containers was 47.3 percent for nontransported units. RBCs that had been frozen by the NBRL method and stored in rigid corrugated cardboard boxes exhibited breakage of 2.4 percent for 2424 nontransported units and 6.7 percent for 633 transported units. DISCUSSION : The incidence of breakage was significantly lower for RBCs frozen by the NBRL method than for the RBCs frozen by the Meryman‐Hornblower method.
Diclofenac‐induced antibodies against RBCs and platelets: two case reports and a concise review
Authors: Meyer Oliver , Hoffmann Till , Aslan Tunay , Ahrens Norber , Kiesewetter Holger , Salama Abdulgabar 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND : Diclofenac has frequently been implicated as the cause of immune hemolytic anemias and less frequently of immune thrombocytopenia. The presence of the causative antibodies has only been demonstrated in patients with immune hemolytic anemia, but not yet in patients with thrombocytopenia. The cases of two patients in whom diclofenac simultaneously induced antibodies against platelets and RBCs are reported. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS : The investigation was carried out with standard serologic tests for detection of antibodies against platelets and RBCs. The patients' sera were tested in the presence and absence of diclofenac and its metabolites. RESULTS : One of the two patients developed severe hemolysis and significant thrombocytopenic purpura. The other patient developed significant thrombocytopenia but no hemolysis. Both patients had a positive DAT and drug‐ and/or metabolite‐dependent antibodies against RBCs and platelets. CONCLUSION : Based on our findings and those of other investigators, we believe that diclofenac leads to the production of antibodies against RBCs and/or platelets.
DNA microsatellite and linkage analysis supports the inclusion of LOCR in the Rh blood group system
Authors: Coghlan Gail , Zelinski Teresa 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND: In 1994, a new low‐incidence RBC antigen called LOCR was described. It was established that RBCs expressing LOCR had altered expression of Rh antigens (c or e). Unfortunately, because of an insufficient number of informative families, it was not possible to formally assign LOCR to the Rh blood group system by serology alone. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Genomic DNA from 19 family members segregating for LOCR was analyzed for repeat polymorphisms of the chromosome 1p microsatellite markers D1S1612, D1S1597, D1S552, D1S247, and D1S2134. RESULTS: No evidence of recombination (in either paternal or maternal meioses) between LOCR and D1S1597, D1S552, or D1S247 was observed. Peak lods for combined paternal and maternal meioses were 2.41 for either LOCR:D1S552 or LOCR:D1S247. Lods for linkage between LOCR and D1S1597 peaked at 1.81 for maternal meioses alone. CONCLUSIONS: With serologic methods, a peak lod of 2.107 was determined previously between LOCR and RH. In this study, DNA analysis of the only informative family (with seven children) not segregating for RH yielded a peak lod of 1.81 between LOCR and D1S1597‐D1S552‐D1S247. By combining the results generated by each approach (lods of 3.917), evidence has been provided that supports the placement of LOCR in the Rh blood group system.