bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial of the Effect of Vitamin D3 on the Interferon Signature in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Aranow Cynthia , Kamen Diane L. , Dall'Era Maria , Massarotti Elena M. , Mackay Meggan C. , Koumpouras Fotios , Coca Andreea , Chatham W. Winn , Clowse Megan E. B. , Criscione‐Schreiber Lisa G. , Callahan Sherri , Goldmuntz Ellen A. , Keyes‐Elstein Lynette , Oswald Michaela , Gregersen Peter K. , Diamond Betty 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveVitamin D modulates the immune response and blocks induction of an interferon (IFN) signature by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sera. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the IFN signature in patients with SLE.MethodsSLE patients (n = 57) with stable, inactive disease, a serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) level ≤20 ng/ml, an elevated anti–double‐stranded DNA antibody level, and an IFN signature (as determined by measuring the expression levels of 3 IFN response genes) were randomized into a 12‐week double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of vitamin D3 at doses of 2,000 IU or 4,000 IU. An IFN signature response was defined as a 50% reduction in the expression of 1 of the 3 genes or a 25% reduction in the expression of 2 of the 3 genes. Disease activity, adverse events, and endocrine effects were assessed.ResultsBaseline characteristics of the patients in the 3 treatment groups (placebo, low‐dose vitamin D3, or high‐dose vitamin D3) were similar. Repletion of 25(OH)D (i.e., levels ≥30 ng/ml) was not observed in any of the patients who were receiving placebo, while repletion was observed in 16 of 33 patients receiving vitamin D3. The percentage of patients with an IFN signature response did not differ among the treatment groups. Moreover, there was no difference in the percentage of patients with an IFN signature response between those who remained vitamin D deficient and those who demonstrated repletion of vitamin D. Modular microarray analysis of a subset of patients (n = 40) did not reveal changes from baseline in any modules (including the IFN‐inducible module) in any of the treatment groups, and no differences in expression were found between patients who demonstrated vitamin D repletion and patients who were persistently vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D3 was well tolerated, and there were no safety concerns.ConclusionVitamin D3 supplementation up to 4,000 IU daily was safe and well‐tolerated but failed to diminish the IFN signature in vitamin D–deficient SLE patients. Higher 25(OH)D levels sustained for a longer duration may be required to affect immunologic outcomes.
A Comprehensive Assessment of the Value of Laboratory Indices in Diagnosing Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Ye Qing , Shao Wen‐xia , Shang Shi‐qiang , Zhang Ting , Hu Jian , Zhang Chun‐chun 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveKawasaki disease (KD) is the primary cause of heart disease among children, but because its clinical symptoms are nonspecific, it is difficult to diagnose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate laboratory indices for possible use in the early diagnosis of KD and to determine which indices are predictive of a response to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and can be used to monitor the effects of treatment.MethodsThree hundred thirty KD patients, 330 age‐matched children with KD‐like febrile disease, and 330 age‐matched healthy children (controls) were enrolled in this prospective study. Levels of N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C‐reactive protein (CRP), and cytokines were determined in all study subjects.ResultsIn the derivation cohort, 181 patients in the KD group were compared with 181 patients in the KD‐like febrile group. The following indices were found to be useful in the diagnosis of KD: NT‐proBNP (area under the curve [AUC] 0.923), ESR (AUC 0.909), CRP (AUC 0.834), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6; AUC 0.678). The diagnostic efficiency of each index demonstrated in the derivation cohort was repeated in the 149 KD patients in the validation cohort. There were significant differences in NT‐proBNP levels between IVIG‐responsive KD patients (n = 270) and IVIG‐nonresponsive KD patients (n = 60), with higher NT‐proBNP levels in IVIG‐nonresponsive KD patients. The NT‐proBNP level can effectively distinguish IVIG‐responsive KD patients from IVIG‐nonresponsive patients, and its AUC was 0.73. There were also significant differences in the NT‐proBNP levels before and after treatment, with a significant decline after treatment.ConclusionSerum levels of NT‐proBNP can be used in the diagnosis of KD, the prediction of a patient's sensitivity to IVIG treatment, and the monitoring of the effects of IVIG treatment, but more attention must be paid to the scope of its application.
Association of Anti–Porphyromonas gingivalis Antibody Titers With Nonsmoking Status in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results From the Prospective French Cohort of Patients With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Seror Raphaèle , Le Gall‐David Sandrine , Bonnaure‐Mallet Martine , Schaeverbeke Thierry , Cantagrel Alain , Minet Jacques , Gottenberg Jacques‐Eric , Chanson Philippe , Ravaud Philippe , Mariette Xavier 
Published: March 2015

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible link between Porphyromonas gingivalis infection and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to antibody profile, genetic and environmental factors, and RA severity.MethodsFor assessing P gingivalis infection, serum levels of antibodies directed against P gingivalis lipopolysaccharide were measured in 694 patients with early RA who were not exposed to steroids or disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs. Anti–P gingivalis antibody titers were compared between patients with early RA and various control groups, and according to various patient characteristics.ResultsAnti–P gingivalis antibody titers did not significantly differ between patients with RA and controls and did not significantly differ with anti–citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA), rheumatoid factor (RF), or HLA shared epitope status. Anti–P gingivalis antibody titers were significantly higher among patients who had never smoked compared to patients who had ever smoked (P = 0.0049). Among nonsmokers, high anti–P gingivalis antibody levels were associated with a higher prevalence of erosive change (47.5% versus 33.3% with modified Sharp/van der Heijde score erosion subscale ≥1; P = 0.0135).ConclusionIn this large early RA cohort, we did not detect any association of anti–P gingivalis antibodies with RA or with ACPA status. These results suggest that the association of periodontitis and RA could be linked to bacterial species other than P gingivalis or to a mechanism other than citrullination. Nevertheless, we found higher anti–P gingivalis antibody titers in nonsmokers. In addition, in this population of nonsmokers, high anti–P gingivalis antibody titers were associated with more severe disease. We hypothesize that the role of tobacco in RA pathogenesis is so high that the effect of P gingivalis could be revealed only in a population not exposed to tobacco.
Energy efficiency of TCP: An analytical model and its application to reduce energy consumption of the most diffused transport protocol
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Kliazovich Dzmitry , Granelli Fabrizio , Bouvry Pascal , Castoldi Piero 
Published: March 2015

SummaryEnergy efficient communications become a challenge for both industries and researchers. Incorporating energy efficiency into the design of network protocols and architectures represents a relevant issue in networking research. Currently, very few works address energy efficiency as a fundamental feature of network protocols. This paper benchmarks energy efficiency of TCP to understand the parameters and operational mechanics that determine and contribute to energy consumption. We propose an analytical model with energy consumption to protocol operation cycles and novel optimization techniques for reducing energy consumption of TCP. The evaluation results, obtained from NS2 simulations, demonstrate that even minor modifications of the protocol behavior can bring significant savings of energy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement authentication protocol using zero‐knowledge proofs and chaotic maps
Authors: Chain Kai , Chang Kuei‐Hu , Kuo Wen‐Chung , Yang Jar‐Ferr 
Published: March 2015

SummaryApplication of authentication protocol and key exchange scheme are major research issues in current internet, and entity identification (users or servers) accuracy and security are thereby safeguarded by various types of verification programs. Therefore, in the last 10 years, it was accompanied with productive discussions, but those discussions mainly focus on single issues, and because of the lack of security, there still existed improvements. The concept of zero‐knowledge proofs is well suited for the identification and signing within network system, which has been widely used since proposed in 1985. However, common identification methods are only fit for individual user. In an increasingly complex network environment of today, information is usually conveyed through many unidentified servers, as a result, we have to encrypt messages by adopting different kinds of session keys. As for the chaotic maps technology, it also serves as a new encryption technology, widely adopted in communication protocols and key agreements over the years. As a consequence, in this study, we are going to propose an authentication protocol with key exchange function by taking advantage of characters of zero‐knowledge proofs and chaotic maps, as well as adopt the BAN‐logic to prove the security of this protocol. This study also compares the results of the security analysis of our protocol and related works. As a result, our proposed protocol has more security than others. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of surgical ventricular reconstruction on sphericity index in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy: follow‐up from the STICH trial
Authors: Choi Jin‐Oh , Daly Richard C. , Lin Grace , Lahr Brian D. , Wiste Heather J. , Beaver Thomas M. , Iacovoni Attilio , Malinowski Marcin , Friedrich Ivar , Rouleau Jean L. , Favaloro Roberto R. , Sopko George , Lang Irene M. , White Harvey D. , Milano Carmelo A. , Jones Robert H. , Lee Kerry L. , Velazquez Eric J. , Oh Jae K. 
Published: March 2015

AimsWe sought to evaluate associations between baseline sphericity index (SI) and clinical outcome, and changes in SI after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with or without surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) in ischaemic cardiomyopathy patients enrolled in the SVR study (Hypothesis 2) of the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial.Methods and resultsAmong 1000 patients in the STICH SVR study, we evaluated 546 patients (255 randomized to CABG alone and 291 to CABG + SVR) whose baseline SI values were available. SI was not significantly different between treatment groups at baseline. After 4 months, SI had increased in the CABG + SVR group, but was unchanged in the CABG alone group (0.69 ± 0.10 to 0.77 ± 0.12 vs. 0.67 ± 0.07 to 0.66 ± 0.09, respectively; P < 0.001). SI did not significantly change from 4 months to 2 years in either group. Although LV end‐systolic volume and EF improved significantly more in the CABG + SVR group compared with CABG alone, the severity of mitral regurgitation significantly improved only in the CABG alone group, and the estimated LV filling pressure (E/A ratio) increased only in the CABG + SVR group. Higher baseline SI was associated with worse survival after surgery (hazard ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.02 − 1.43; P = 0.026). Survival was not significantly different by treatment strategy.ConclusionAlthough SVR was designed to improve LV geometry, SI worsened after SVR despite improved LVEF and smaller LV volume. Survival was significantly better in patients with lower SI regardless of treatment strategy.
The incorporation of plant materials in “Serra da Estrela” cheese improves antioxidant activity without changing the fatty acid profile and visual appearance
Authors: Carocho Márcio , Barreira João C. M. , Antonio Amilcar L. , Bento Albino , Morales Patricia , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. 
Published: March 2015

‘Serra da Estrela’ cheese is a Portuguese delicacy, which has been produced for centuries from the milk of cattle pasturing in the protected Serra da Estrela natural park. Transforming this cheese into a functional food would be a huge benefit for the market and the consumer. Decocted extracts, dried chestnut flowers and lemon balm plants were incorporated into the cheese to functionalise it, granting antioxidant activity to this foodstuff. The functionalised cheeses showed higher antioxidant activity, especially lipid peroxidation inhibition. The incorporation of dried plants appeared to be more effective than using decoctions, but the influence of the plant species was less observable. Furthermore, the fatty acids profile of the cheeses was also determined through gas chromatography. C18:1 and C16:0 were the most abundant fatty acids; saturated fatty acids prevailed over the unsaturated ones. Between the control and the incorporated samples no significant differences were found. In addition, the external colour was measured through a spectrophotometer for lightness, yellowness and redness. There were some differences recorded for each samples’ colour. In general, the results indicated that the functionalisation of this exquisite dairy product with natural plant extracts provided beneficial characteristics, both for consumers (healthier product) and producers (added‐value products).Practical applications The food industry is always searching for new products which are cheaper to produce and healthier for the consumer, withstanding longer storage periods.‘Serra da Estrela’ cheese was incorporated with chestnut flowers and lemon balm dried plants and their respective decoctions in order to achieve antioxidant properties.
A Method of Retail Mortgage Stress Testing: Based on Time‐Frame and Magnitude Analysis
Authors: Liu Chang , Nassar Raja , Guo Min 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn this study, a non‐stationary Markov chain model and a vector autoregressive moving average with exogenous variables coupled with a logistic function (VARMAX‐L) are used to analyze and predict the stability of a retail mortgage portfolio, based on the stress test framework. The method introduced in this paper can be used to forecast the transition probabilities in a retail mortgage over pre‐specified states, given a shock with a certain magnitude. Hence this method provides a dynamic picture of the portfolio transition process through which one can assess its behavior over time. While the paper concentrates on retail mortgages, the methodology of this study can be adapted also to analyze other credit products in banks. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tungsten Carbide Synthesized by Polystyrene Sphere Template Method Promoting Pd Electrocatalyst for Alcohol Oxidation in Alkaline Media
Authors: Yan Z. , Gu Y. , Wei W. , Jiang Z. , Xie J. , Shen P. K. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractTungsten carbide (WC) particles loading on hollow carbon spheres (HCS) have been synthesized by using ammonium metatungstate as W source, glucose as carbon source, P123 as dispersant and polystyrene sphere as template. The typical WC‐HCS composite has the WC particle sizes of 5–20 nm, specific surface area of 445 m2 g−1, pore volume of 0.24 cm3 g−1 and hollow spherical structure. The above structures of WC‐HCS favor dispersion of Pd particles and mass transfer. Therefore, the Pd/WC‐HCS electrocatalyst has 4.6 times higher peak current density and 130 mV more negative onset potential than that of Pd/C for ethanol oxidation in alkaline solution. The mass transfer property of WC‐HCS (due to structure effect) and promotion effect of WC on Pd are believed to be the origins of the excellent performances.
THE EFFECT OF STATE INSURANCE MANDATES ON INFANT IMMUNIZATION RATES
Authors: Chang Lenisa V. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWhile US infant immunization rates have been increasing in the last 20 years, the cost of fully immunizing a child with all recommended vaccines has almost tripled. This is partly not only due to new additions in the list of recommended vaccines but also due to the use of new, safer, but more expensive technologies in vaccine production and distribution. In recent years, many states have mandated that recommended childhood vaccines be covered by private health insurance companies. Currently, there are 33 states with such a mandate. In this paper, I examine whether the introduction of mandates on private insurers affected immunization rates. Using state and time variation, I find that mandates increased the immunization rate for three vaccines—the diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis, polio, and measles–mumps–rubella vaccines—by about 1.8 percentage points. These results may provide a lower bound for the expected effect of the Affordable Care Act, which mandates coverage of childhood vaccines for all private insurers in the USA. I also find evidence that the mandates shifted a significant portion of vaccinations from publicly funded sources to private ones, with a decline in public health clinic visits and an increase in vaccinations at hospitals and doctor's offices. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased Cortical Porosity in Older Men With Fracture
Authors: Sundh Daniel , Mellström Dan , Nilsson Martin , Karlsson Magnus , Ohlsson Claes , Lorentzon Mattias 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACT

Cortical porosity increases with age and affects bone strength, but its association with fracture in older men is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether cortical porosity is associated with prevalent fractures in older men. A subsample of 456 men aged 80.2 ± 3.5 (mean ± SD) years, with available high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography measurements at the tibia from the 5-year follow-up exam, was drawn from the prospective MrOS Gothenburg study. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure areal bone mineral density (aBMD). Data on physical activity, calcium intake, medications, diseases, and smoking were collected on questionnaires at the follow-up exam. Of 87 men (19.1%) with fracture at or after age 50 years (all fracture group), 52 (11.4%) had had a self-reported fracture before the baseline exam and 35 (7.7%) had had an X-ray–verified fracture between baseline and follow-up. Men in the all-fracture group and in the X-ray–verified group had 15.8% (13.2% ± 4.9% versus 11.4% ± 3.8%; p &lt; 0.001) and 21.6% (14.1% ± 5.2% versus 11.6% ± 3.9%; p &lt; 0.01) higher cortical porosity, respectively, than men in the nonfracture group. The independent associations between bone microstructure parameters and fracture were tested using multivariate logistic regression with age, height, weight, calcium intake, smoking, physical activity, medications, and diseases as covariates. Cortical porosity was independently associated with any fracture (reported or X-ray–verified; OR per SD increase 1.49; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.17 to 1.90) and with any X-ray–verified fracture alone (OR 1.73; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.42). Including aBMD (spine or hip, respectively) in the multivariate logistic regression above revealed that cortical porosity was associated with any fracture (OR 1.54; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.01) and with X-ray–verified fracture alone (OR 1.49; 95% CI, 1.00 to 2.22). Cortical porosity was associated with prevalence of fracture even after adjustment for aBMD. © © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
National cohort study of opioid analgesic dose and risk of future hospitalization
Authors: Liang Yuanyuan , Turner Barbara J. 
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUNDHigh daily and total doses of opioid analgesics (OAs) increase the risk for drug overdose and may be risks for all‐cause hospitalization.OBJECTIVETo examine the association of OA dose measures with future all‐cause hospitalization.DESIGN/PATIENTSCohort study of 87,688 national health maintenance organization enrollees aged 45 to 64 years with noncancer pain who filled ≥2 OA prescriptions from January 2009 to July 2012.METHODSOutcomes were all‐cause hospitalization and hospital days in 6‐month intervals after the first OA was filled. In generalized linear mixed models, we examined interactions of 5 daily OA dose categories and 5 total dose categories in each 6‐month interval adjusted for demographics, clinical conditions, psychotropic drugs, and current hospitalization. For high total OA doses, percentage of days covered by OA prescriptions in 6 months was examined.RESULTSOver 3 years, an average of 12% of subjects were hospitalized yearly for a mean 6.5 (standard deviation = 8.5) days. Compared with no OAs, adjusted odds of future hospitalization for high total opioid dose (>1830 mg) were 35% to 44% greater depending on daily dose category (all P < 0.05), but total OA dose ≤1830 mg had weak or no association with future hospitalization regardless of daily OA dose. For high total OA doses, odds of hospitalization were 41% to 51% greater for categories of percentage of time on OAs above >50% (>3 months) versus no OAs (all P < 0.05). Similar effects were observed for hospital days.CONCLUSIONSHigher total OA doses for >3 months within a 6‐month period significantly increased the risk for all‐cause hospitalization and longer inpatient stays in the next 6 months. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:425–431. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Healing by Creating: Patient Evaluations of Art‐Making Program
Authors: Heiney Sue P. , Darr‐Hope Heidi , Meriwether Marian P. , Adams Swann Arp 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe benefits of using art in health care, especially with cancer patients, have been described anecdotally. However, few manuscripts include a conceptual framework to describe the evaluation of patient programs. This paper describes patients' evaluation of a healing arts program developed within a hospital for cancer patients that used art‐making, story, and therapeutic group processes to enhance emotional healing. Patients highly valued art creation, story, and group participation. The themes of the participants' open‐ended evaluations demonstrated the relevance of these three conceptual components and their merit in emotional recovery after cancer. This program evaluation lays the groundwork for future research into the therapeutic value of healing arts programs.