bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Courts and Public Health: Caught in a Pincer Movement
Authors: Parmet Wendy E. , Jacobson Peter D. 
Published: January 2014

Public health practitioners are familiar with the general outlines of legal authority and with judicial standards for reviewing public health regulations. What may not be as familiar are 3 emerging judicial doctrines that pose considerable risks to public health initiatives. We explain the contentious series of judicial rulings that now place health departments’ broad grant of authority in jeopardy. One doctrine invokes the First Amendment to limit regulatory authority. The second involves the Supreme Court’s reinterpretation of federalism to limit both federal and state public health interventions. The third redefines the standard of evidence required to support regulations. Together, these judicial trends create a pincer movement that places substantial new burdens on the ability of health departments to protect health.
Government Leadership in Addressing Public Health Priorities: Strides and Delays in Electronic Laboratory Reporting in the United States
Authors: Gluskin Rebecca Tave , Mavinkurve Maushumi , Varma Jay K. 
Published: January 2014

For nearly a decade, interest groups, from politicians to economists to physicians, have touted digitization of the nation’s health information. One frequently mentioned benefit is the transmission of information electronically from laboratories to public health personnel, allowing them to rapidly analyze and act on these data. Switching from paper to electronic laboratory reports (ELRs) was thought to solve many public health surveillance issues, including workload, accuracy, and timeliness. However, barriers remain for both laboratories and public health agencies to realize the full benefits of ELRs. The New York City experience highlights several successes and challenges of electronic reporting and is supported by peer-reviewed literature. Lessons learned from ELR systems will benefit efforts to standardize electronic medical records reporting to health departments.
Uninsured Veterans Who Will Need to Obtain Insurance Coverage Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Authors: Tsai Jack , Rosenheck Robert 
Published: January 2014

Objectives. We examined the number and clinical needs of uninsured veterans, including those who will be eligible for the Medicaid expansion and health insurance exchanges in 2014. Methods. We analyzed weighted data for 8710 veterans from the 2010 National Survey of Veterans, classifying it by veterans’ age, income, household size, and insurance status. Results. Of 22 million veterans, about 7%, or more than 1.5 million, were uninsured and will need to obtain coverage by enrolling in US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care or the Medicaid expansion or by participating in the health insurance exchanges. Of those uninsured, 55%, or more than 800 000, are likely eligible for the Medicaid expansion if states implement it. Compared with veterans with any health coverage, those who were uninsured were younger and more likely to be single, Black, and low income and to have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Conclusions. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is likely to have a considerable impact on uninsured veterans, which may have implications for the VA, the Medicaid expansion, and the health insurance exchanges.
Firearm and Nonfirearm Homicide in 5 South African Cities: A Retrospective Population-Based Study
Authors: Matzopoulos Richard G. , Thompson Mary Lou , Myers Jonathan E. 
Published: January 2014

Objective. We assessed the effectiveness of South Africa’s Firearm Control Act (FCA), passed in 2000, on firearm homicide rates compared with rates of nonfirearm homicide across 5 South African cities from 2001 to 2005. Methods. We conducted a retrospective population-based study of 37 067 firearm and nonfirearm homicide cases. Generalized linear models helped estimate and compare time trends of firearm and nonfirearm homicides, adjusting for age, sex, race, day of week, city, year of death, and population size. Results. There was a statistically significant decreasing trend regarding firearm homicides from 2001, with an adjusted year-on-year homicide rate ratio of 0.864 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.848, 0.880), representing a decrease of 13.6% per annum. The year-on-year decrease in nonfirearm homicide rates was also significant, but considerably lower at 0.976 (95% CI = 0.954, 0.997). Results suggest that 4585 (95% CI = 4427, 4723) lives were saved across 5 cities from 2001 to 2005 because of the FCA. Conclusions. Strength, timing and consistent decline suggest stricter gun control mediated by the FCA accounted for a significant decrease in homicide overall, and firearm homicide in particular, during the study period.
Measuring Pension Liabilities under GASB Statement No. 68
Authors: Mortimer John W. , Henderson Linda R. 
Published: January 2014

SYNOPSIS
While retired government employees clearly depend on public sector defined benefit pension funds, these plans also contribute significantly to U.S. state and national economies. Growing public concern about the funding adequacy of these plans, hard hit by the great recession, raises questions about their future viability. After several years of study, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) approved two new standards, GASB 67 and 68, with the goal of substantially improving the accounting for and transparency of financial reporting of state/municipal public employee defined benefit pension plans. GASB 68, the focus of this paper, requires state/municipal governments to calculate and report a net pension liability based on a single discount rate that combines the rate of return on funded plan assets with a low-risk index rate on the unfunded portion of the liability. This paper illustrates the calculation of estimates for GASB 68 reportable net pension liabilities, funded ratios, and single discount rates for 48 fiscal year state employee defined benefit plans by using an innovative valuation model and readily available data. The results show statistically significant increases in reportable net pension liabilities and decreases in the estimated hypothetical GASB 68 funded ratios and single discount rates. Our sensitivity analyses examine the effect of changes in the low-risk rate and time period on these results. We find that reported discount rates of weaker plans approach the low-risk rate, resulting in higher pension liabilities and creating policy incentives to increase risky assets in pension portfolios.
Dental radiographic findings in cats with chronic gingivostomatitis (2002–2012)
Authors: Farcas Nicodin , Lommer Milinda J. , Kass Philip H. , Verstraete Frank J. M. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Objective—To compare dental radiographic findings in cats with and without feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS).
Design—Retrospective case-control study.
Animals—101 cats with FCGS (cases) and 101 cats with other oral diseases (controls).
Procedures—Controls were age- and treatment date–matched with cases. Conventional full-mouth dental radiographic views were evaluated for distribution, pattern, and severity of alveolar bone loss (periodontitis), tooth resorption, buccal bone expansion, tooth fractures, and retained roots.
Results—All cases and 77 (76%) controls had periodontitis; differences in extent and severity of periodontitis were significant, with semigeneralized or generalized and moderate or severe periodontitis in 78 (77%) and 93 (92%) cases, respectively, and 28 (28%) and 38 (38%) controls, respectively. The pattern of alveolar bone loss in cases was dominated by horizontal bone loss, with a nonsignificant increase in vertical bone loss, compared with that of controls. Cases were more likely than controls to have external inflammatory root resorption (49 [49%] vs 25 [25%]) and retained roots (57 [56%] vs 28 [28%]). Fewer dental fractures occurred in cases (14 [14%]) than in controls (35 [35%]). There were no differences between cases and controls in breed, sex, or presence of feline resorptive lesions or buccal bone expansion.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that FCGS was associated with more widely distributed and severe periodontitis, with a higher prevalence of external inflammatory root resorption and retained roots than other oral diseases. Full-mouth radiographic views are indicated for cats with FCGS to diagnose the extent of associated periodontitis, reveal external inflammatory root resorption, and identify retained roots.
Compartment syndrome associated with expansile antebrachial tumors in two dogs
Authors: Maki Lynn C. , Kim Stanley E. , Winter Matthew D. , Kow Kelvin Y. , Conway Julia A. , Lewis Daniel D. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Case Description—A 10-year-old spayed female Jack Russell Terrier and a 7-year-old neutered male mixed-breed dog were evaluated because of acute, progressive, unilateral forelimb lameness associated with signs of pain and turgid antebrachial swelling.
Clinical Findings—For either dog, there were no salient pathological or diagnostic imaging abnormalities. A diagnosis of compartment syndrome was confirmed on the basis of high caudal antebrachial compartmental pressure in the affected forelimb.
Treatment and Outcome—Both dogs underwent surgical exploration of the affected forelimb. In each case, an intramuscular tumor (mast cell tumor in the Jack Russell Terrier and suspected sarcoma in the mixed-breed dog) was detected and presumed to be the cause of the high compartmental pressure. At 6 months following tumor excision, the dog with the mast cell tumor did not have any clinical signs of disease. The dog with a suspected sarcoma underwent tumor excision and forelimb amputation at the proximal portion of the humerus followed by chemotherapy; the dog was euthanized approximately 1 year following treatment because of pulmonary metastasis.
Clinical Relevance—Compartment syndrome is a serious but rarely reported condition in dogs and is typically ascribed to intracompartmental hemorrhage. These 2 cases illustrate the potential for expansile intramuscular antebrachial tumors to cause compartment syndrome in dogs.
CXCL-10, Interleukin-12 and Interleukin-21 are not Immunological Predictors of Hbeag Seroconversion in HIV-1–HBV Coinfection following HBV-Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Giarda Paola , Avihingsanon Anchalee , Sasadeusz Joe , Audsley Jennifer , Marks Pip , Matthews Gail , Ruxrungtham Kiat , Lewin Sharon R , Crane Megan 
Published: January 2014

Background Interferon stimulated chemokine CXCL-10, interleukin (IL)-12 (p70) and IL-21 have been associated with HBsAg and HBeAg loss following treatment of HBV monoinfection. The aim of this study was to determine whether these factors were also associated with HBsAg and HBeAg loss in HIV–HBV-coinfected patients following HBV-active combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Methods HIV–HBV-coinfected patients with HBeAg seroconversion ( n=12; seroconverters [SC]) were compared to patients who did not seroconvert ( n=13; non-seroconverters [NSC]). CXCL-10, IL-12 and IL-21 (Luminex Bead Array, Life Technologies, Grand Island, NY, USA) were measured in plasma prior to initiation of HBV-active cART (baseline), at the time of seroconversion (T0) and at the closest time point before (T-1) and after (T+1) seroconversion. Results Levels of CXCL-10 declined significantly in all patients following HBV-active cART ( P<0.05 for both SC and NSC; Kruskall-Wallis, Dunn's post-test). There was no difference between SC and NSC in the level of CXCL-10, IL-12 and IL-21 at any time point. Conclusions We found no evidence that CXCL-10, IL-12 or IL-21 were associated with HBeAg seroconversion following HBV-active cART. Other immunological determinants should be explored in this setting.
Darunavir Minimum Plasma Concentration and Ritonavir-Boosted Darunavir Monotherapy Outcome in HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Gutierrez-Valencia Alicia , Torres-Cornejo Almudena , BenMarzouk-Hidalgo Omar J , Ruiz-Valderas Rosa , Lluch Amparo , Viciana Pompeyo , López-Cortés Luis F 
Published: January 2014

Background This study aimed to evaluate whether low darunavir (DRV) minimum plasma concentration (Cmin) values contribute to virological outcomes during DRV/ritonavir monotherapy (mtDRV/rtv). Methods This was a prospective observational single-arm 96-week efficacy study in virologically suppressed subjects on triple therapy switched to mtDRV/rtv (800/100 mg every 24 h). Previous virological failures (VF) on protease-inhibitor-based regimens were allowed if the historical resistance tests showed no major resistance mutation to DRV/rtv. VF was defined as two consecutive HIV RNA measurements of >200 copies/ml. Efficacy was analysed by per-protocol and by intention-to-treat analyses. Plasma DRV Cmin values were measured by LC-MS/MS. Results A total of 150 subjects were included. At week 96, the efficacy rate on treatment was 83.6% (95% CI 77.2%, 90.0%) by per-protocol analysis and 67.6% (95% CI 60.0%, 75.2%) by intention-to-treat. In the whole cohort the median (IQR) DRV Cmin was significantly higher during the periods of undetectable than of detectable viraemia (1.82 μg/ml [1.47–2.46] versus 1.56 μg/ml [0.93–2.32]; P=0.006) as well as in the subjects with blips and VF. However, a cutoff point sufficiently sensitive and specific could not be found. Conclusions The DRV Cmin values are related to viral control during mtDRV/rtv, but therapeutic drug monitoring cannot be recommended routinely as a precise cutoff point is unknown. Adherence is a key success factor on this regimen.
Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Dermatomyositis Without Clinically Evident Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Wang Han , Liu Han-Xiong , Wang Yin-Li , Yu Xiu-Qiong , Chen Xian-Xiang , Cai Lin 
Published: January 2014

Objective.To assess left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) without clinically evident cardiovascular (CV) disease and to estimate whether there is an association between the duration of DM and LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD).Methods.The study included 51 patients with DM (43 women and 8 men) who had no clinically evident CV disease and 51 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls. Echocardiographic and Doppler studies were conducted in all patients and controls. Early diastolic flow velocity/mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/Em) was considered a marker for diastolic dysfunction.Results.E/Em was elevated in 39 patients (76.5%) versus 27 controls (52.9%; p < 0.05). There were significant differences between patients versus control group in late diastolic flow velocity (A), E/A ratio, Em, Em/Am (mitral annular late diastolic velocity) ratio, E/Em ratio, and deceleration time (DT; p < 0.05). There was a weak correlation with disease duration between A (r = 0.373, p = 0.007), E/A ratio (r = −0.467, p = 0.001), Em (r = −0.474, p < 0.001), Em/Am ratio (r = −0.476, p < 0.001), E/Em ratio (r = 0.320, p = 0.022), and DT (r = 0.474, p < 0.001). Disease duration was associated with E/Em after controlling for age, sex, and other factors (p < 0.05).Conclusion.Our study confirms a high frequency of LVDD in DM patients without evident CV disease. The association between transmitral flow alteration and disease duration may suggest a subclinical myocardial involvement with disease progression.
Synovitis in Knee Osteoarthritis Assessed by Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is Associated with Radiographic Tibiofemoral Osteoarthritis and MRI-detected Widespread Cartilage Damage: The MOST Study
Authors: Guermazi Ali , Hayashi Daichi , Roemer Frank W. , Zhu Yanyan , Niu Jingbo , Crema Michel D. , Javaid M. Kassim , Marra Monica D. , Lynch John A. , El-Khoury George Y. , Zhang Yuqing , Nevitt Michael C. , Felson David T. 
Published: January 2014

Objective.To examine the cross-sectional association of whole-knee synovitis assessed by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI) with radiographic tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (OA), non-CEMRI-assessed cartilage damage, and meniscal status.Methods.Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) is a cohort study of people with or at high risk of knee OA. Subjects are a subset of MOST who volunteered for both CEMRI and non-CEMRI. Using CEMRI, synovitis was assessed at 11 sites and graded 0–2 at each site. Presence of “whole-knee synovitis” was defined as the synovitis score of ≥ 1 at any site from each knee. Cartilage and meniscal damage was evaluated using non-CEMRI based on the Whole Organ MRI Score. Logistic regression was used to assess associations of synovitis with radiographic OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥ 2), widespread cartilage damage, and meniscal damage, adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Additional analyses were performed excluding subjects who had chondrocalcinosis on radiography and those taking antiinflammatory medications.Results.Four hundred four subjects were included (mean age 58.8 ± 7.0 yrs, BMI 29.6 ± 4.9 kg/m2, 45.5% women). On CEMRI, the maximum synovitis score across 11 sites in each knee was 0 in 106 knees (26.2%), 1 in 135 (33.4%), and 2 in 163 (40.4%). Synovitis was associated with radiographic OA [adjusted OR (aOR) 3.25, 95% CI 1.98–5.35] and widespread cartilage damage (aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.24–2.92). Severe meniscal damage showed a borderline significant association with synovitis (aOR 1.74, 95% CI 0.99–3.04). Additional analyses as described did not notably change the results.Conclusion.CEMRI-detected synovitis is strongly associated with tibiofemoral radiographic OA and MRI-detected widespread cartilage damage.
One-year Efficacy and Safety Results of Secukinumab in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Phase II, Dose-finding, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study
Authors: Genovese Mark C. , Durez Patrick , Richards Hanno B. , Supronik Jerzy , Dokoupilova Eva , Aelion Jacob A. , Lee Sang-Heon , Codding Christine E. , Kellner Herbert , Ikawa Takashi , Hugot Sophie , Ligozio Gregory , Mpofu Shephard 
Published: January 2014

Objective.To evaluate the longer-term safety and efficacy of secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antiinterleukin-17A antibody, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods.In this 52-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled (up to Week 20) study (NCT00928512), patients responding inadequately to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) or biologics were randomized to receive monthly subcutaneous injections of secukinumab (25, 75, 150, or 300 mg), or placebo. The efficacy and safety results up to Week 20 have been reported previously. Here, efficacy results from Week 20 to 52 and safety results from Week 20 to 60 are presented.Results.Of 237 patients randomized, 174 (73.4%) completed the study. Patients with improved American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) C-reactive protein (CRP) responses at Week 16 sustained their responses through Week 52. In patients taking 150 mg of secukinumab, responses were improved through Week 52 (ACR50: Week 16 = 45%, Week 52 = 55%; DAS28-CRP ≤ 2.6: Week 16 = 25%, Week 52 = 40%). The rate of adverse events (AE) from weeks 20 to 60 was 64.8%, with most AE being mild to moderate in severity. The overall rate of infections was 31.9%, most being mild. The most predominant infection was nasopharyngitis, and was not associated with dose or concurrent neutropenia. Serious AE were reported in 21 patients (8.9%). There were 3 reports of malignancies (ovarian, lung, basal cell), and no deaths between weeks 20 and 60.Conclusion.Patients with active RA who failed to respond to DMARD and other biologics showed an improvement after longterm treatment with 150 mg of secukinumab. The frequency of AE remained stable over time and secukinumab had a consistent safety profile over 60 weeks.
Tocilizumab in Adult-onset Still’s Disease: the Israeli Experience
Authors: Elkayam Ori , Jiries Nizar , Dranitzki Zvi , Kivity Shay , Lidar Merav , Levy Ofer , Ablin Jacob , Abu-Shakra Mahmoud , Savargyl-Maman Hagit , Padova Hagit , Caspi Dan , Rosner Itzhak 
Published: January 2014

Objective.To describe the Israeli experience of treating adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) with tocilizumab (TCZ).Methods.Israeli rheumatologists who treated AOSD with TCZ filled in questionnaires on symptoms, number of tender and swollen joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and dosage of prednisone at initial TCZ administration, after 6 months, and at the end of followup.Results.Nine male and 6 female patients, aged 33 ± 12 years, mean disease duration 9 years (range: 1–25) were identified. They had used a mean of 3.6 disease-modifying drugs, including 10 patients with tumor necrosis factor blockers. Intravenous TCZ 8 mg/kg was administered every 4 weeks (12 patients) or every 2 weeks (3 patients). All patients completed at least 6 months of treatment. The mean followup period was 15.7 ± 9 months. At the onset of therapy, despite the use of prednisone (27.6 ± 26.3 mg/d), all patients reported joint pain. Fever was reported in 9 patients, rash in 7, pleuritis in 3, and hepatitis in 2 before TCZ use, with mean ESR and CRP levels of 60 ± 28 mm/h and 11.6 ± 15 mg/dl, respectively. After 6 months of treatment and at the end of followup, the number of tender and swollen joints, the ESR and CRP levels, and the prednisone dosage decreased significantly. Only 2 patients still complained of mild arthralgias, and none reported systemic symptoms at the end of followup.Conclusion.TCZ 8 mg/kg was extremely efficacious in treating adult patients with refractory Still’s disease. Both TCZ and interleukin 1 blockade should be considered in the treatment algorithm of AOSD. Randomized controlled studies are needed to validate these findings.
L'ingénierie au sein du groupe Schneider (1956-1984)
Authors: Vuillermot Catherine 
Published: January 2014

L’ingénierie n’est pas une nouveauté de l’après-Deuxième Guerre mondiale au sein du groupe Schneider. La division des travaux publics, développée par Eugène II, est déjà largement à l’international. Mais étudier les filiales spécialisées en ingénierie de 1956 à 1984 permet de suivre l’évolution de la gestion des grandes entreprises et leurs multiples transformations pour aboutir à ce qu’on nomme alors « la grande entreprise moderne » dont Schneider est précurseur. Cette activité illustre la logique de groupe – nouvelle structure de référence – d’abord avec ENSA puis avec Creusot-Loire Entreprises. La finalité porte alors plus sur l’obtention de débouchés que sur la rentabilité (à la différence d’aujourd’hui). La stratégie des filiales d’ingénierie renforce la recherche d’un marché qui sort des frontières nationales, bref ébauche la mondialisation en s’aventurant dans les anciennes colonies et dans les pays communistes : les affaires sont les affaires ! Entre industrie et tertiaire, l’ingénierie témoigne des mutations du capitalisme en s’appuyant tout d’abord sur la notion de projet (promise à un bel avenir) et aussi en développant la notion de service à la carte, base de la flexibilité. Enfin, elle traduit un changement majeur puisque l’entreprise renonce au secret des affaires pour développer une politique de communication visant à mettre en avant son expérience et ses références, phénomène qui commence à se généraliser dans les années 1970.