bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Adherence to a Treat‐to‐Target Protocol in Recent‐Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis: Reasons for Compliance and Hesitation
Authors: Markusse I. M. , Dirven L. , Han K. H. , Ronday H. K. , de Sonnaville P. B. J. , Kerstens P. J. S. M. , Lems W. F. , Huizinga T. W. J. , Allaart C. F. 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveTo evaluate rheumatologists’ adherence to a low Disease Activity Score (DAS)–steered treat‐to‐target (T2T) strategy in treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to assess associated conditions.MethodsData of the BeSt study were used, a multicenter T2T strategy trial with 10‐year followup. During 3 monthly visits, the physician answered questions about satisfaction with level of RA suppression, agreement with the study protocol, and agreement with the DAS. Associations between the answers and nonadherence were evaluated.ResultsProtocol adherence decreased over time from 100% to 60% per visit, with an average over time of 79%. Rheumatologists mostly agreed with the DAS (80–90% of visits over time) and were satisfied with the treatment steps (75–90%) and with the level of RA suppression (85–90%). The odds for protocol violation were higher when the rheumatologist disagreed with the DAS (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.0–2.7 when they thought the DAS overestimated actual disease activity; OR 2.5, 95% CI 2.0–3.1 when they thought the DAS underestimated actual disease activity) or with the next required treatment step (OR 3.0, 95% CI 2.5–3.5), and when the physician was dissatisfied with disease suppression (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.6).ConclusionRheumatologists generally agreed with and followed a 10‐year followup DAS‐steered T2T strategy. Disagreement with the DAS or the required treatment and dissatisfaction with the level of disease suppression were risk factors for nonadherence. These results indicate the feasibility of continued protocol‐driven T2T therapy. For daily practice, adherence to T2T therapy might be improved by adopting the structure components of a clinical trial.
Optimization of Analgesics for Greater Exercise Therapy Participation Among Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis and Severe Pain: A Feasibility Study
Authors: van Tunen Joyce A. C. , van der Leeden Marike , Bos Wouter H. , Cheung John , van der Esch Martin , Gerritsen Martijn , Peter Wilfred F. , Roorda Leo D. , Tijhuis Gerard J. , Voorneman Ramon E. , Lems Willem F. , Dekker Joost 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveSevere pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) hampers the ability to exercise. A protocol for the standardized optimization of analgesics in combination with exercise therapy was developed. The purpose of this protocol was to reduce pain, thereby allowing the patient to participate in exercise therapy. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of the protocol.MethodsForty‐nine patients with knee OA and severe knee pain (numerical rating scale for pain ≥7) were included. Analgesics were prescribed following an incremental protocol. After 6 weeks, a 12‐week exercise therapy program was added. Information about analgesic use and exercise therapy content was recorded. Knee pain and activity limitations were assessed at baseline, after 6 weeks, and after 18 weeks.ResultsStatistically significant improvements in pain and activity limitations were found in intent‐to‐treat analysis after 6 weeks of analgesic use and after the intervention was completed. Mean improvements from baseline were 30% (P < 0.001) for pain and 17% (P < 0.001) for activity limitations after the intervention was completed. Seventy‐eight percent of the patients were able to exercise according to the protocol. In these patients, exercise therapy following 6 weeks of analgesic use resulted in a further improvement of activity limitations of 10% (P = 0.004).ConclusionThe combined intervention of standardized analgesic prescription and exercise therapy allows most patients with knee OA and severe pain to participate in exercise therapy, leading to reduction of pain and activity limitations. These promising results need to be confirmed in a randomized controlled trial.
Utility and Associated Risk of Pulmonary Embolism Computed Tomography Scans in the Michigan Lupus Cohort
Authors: Kado Ruba , Siegwald Emily , Lewis Emily , Goodsitt Mitchell M. , Christodoulou Emmanuel , Kazerooni Ella , McCune W. Joseph 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveSystemic lupus erythematosus patients are frequently evaluated for chest pain and may have multiple pulmonary embolism (PE) computed tomography (CT) scans. This study was undertaken to determine the incidence of pulmonary embolism in the University of Michigan Lupus Cohort patients who have undergone PE CT scans and to estimate the associated increased risk of breast and lung cancer from radiation exposure.MethodsWe reviewed records of patients in the University of Michigan Lupus Cohort (n = 854) and determined the number and outcome of PE CT scans. Radimetrics software was used to perform individualized calculations of radiation dose to the lung and breast of each patient. We used this dose information, the patient's age at the time of scan, and risks according to the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation, report VII, to estimate the increased incidence risks of breast and lung cancer.ResultsA total of 182 of 856 patients (21%) underwent 357 PE CT scans. The overall rate of positivity was 7.5%. For patients undergoing their first through third scans, the rate of positivity for PE was 8.8%, whereas patients undergoing their fourth through tenth scans had 1.6% positivity. The highest increase in incidence risk was 0.87% for breast and 0.62% for lung.ConclusionPatients with multiple previous PE CT scans had lower likelihood of a positive result on subsequent scans and higher risks of malignancy. The magnitude of risk should not discourage performance of PE CT when clinically indicated.
Incidence of End‐Stage Renal Disease Among Newly Diagnosed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: The Georgia Lupus Registry
Authors: Plantinga Laura , Lim S. Sam , Patzer Rachel , McClellan William , Kramer Michael , Klein Mitchel , Pastan Stephen , Gordon Caroline , Helmick Charles , Drenkard Cristina 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveTo estimate and identify factors associated with the incidence of all‐cause end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) among newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.MethodsData from a national registry of treated ESRD were linked to data from a lupus registry of SLE patients who were newly diagnosed and living in Atlanta, Georgia, 2002–2004 (median followup 7.8 years). Cumulative incidence and incidence rates (ESRD treatment initiations per 1,000 patient‐years) were calculated, and age‐ and race‐adjusted Poisson models were used to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRRs).ResultsAmong 344 newly diagnosed SLE patients, 29 initiated ESRD treatment over 2,603.8 years of followup. Incidence rates were 13.8 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 9.4–20.3) among black patients and 3.3 (95% CI 0.8–13.0) among white patients, per 1,000 patient‐years; corresponding 5‐year cumulative incidence was 6.4% and 2.5% among black and white patients, respectively. Lupus nephritis documented prior to 2005, which occurred in 80% of those who progressed to ESRD, was the strongest risk factor for incident ESRD (IRR 6.7 [95% CI 2.7–16.8]; incidence rate 27.6 per 1,000 patient‐years). Results suggested that patients who were black versus white (IRR 3.9 [95% CI 0.9–16.4]) or <18 years old (versus ≥30 years old) at diagnosis (IRR 2.1 [95% CI 0.9–5.3]) may be more likely to progress to ESRD, but incidence did not differ by sex or other characteristics.ConclusionThe incidence of all‐cause ESRD among patients with a recent diagnosis of SLE is high in Georgia. Interventions to decrease ESRD incidence among newly diagnosed SLE patients should target young and black patients, as well as patients with lupus nephritis.
Reconstruction‐based interval observer dedicated to fault detection: Application to a throttle valve
Authors: Letellier C. , Chafouk H. , Hoblos G. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryModel‐based fault detection is a very wide field of research. Sometimes, uncertainties within the model create deviations affecting fault detection. Several methods have been developed in order to overcome this problem. In this paper, a very well‐suited observer for uncertain fault detection, called set‐valued observer is investigated. However, this observer needs all the sensors to work properly. Other works have focused on the well‐known Luenberger observer applied to uncertain systems, but this architecture has its own limitation. Indeed, the recursivity of the algorithm induces the wrapping effect. Here an approach coupling the Luenberger observer with the set‐valued observer is proposed in order to reconstruct the state sets without divergence. The proposed observer is implemented for the purpose of fault detection on a throttle valve. The nonlinearities of the uncertain system induce a loss of information and require the use of a time‐consuming subpaving method. To overcome this problem, the multimodel approach is used to obtain several linear models. In this paper, different types of faults will be addressed: actuator, system, and sensor faults. The proposed observer is implemented and computed on a real‐time benchmark. The results obtained are encouraging and bring to light areas for future work. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses of Tetrahydrobenzodiazepines via SN2‐Type Ring‐Opening of Activated Aziridines with 2‐Bromobenzylamine Followed by Copper‐Powder‐Mediated C−N Bond Formation
Authors: Ghorai Manas K. , Shahi Chandan Kumar , Bhattacharyya Aditya , Sayyad Masthanvali , Mal Abhijit , Wani Imtiyaz Ahmad , Chauhan Navya 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA synthetic route to 2,3,4,5‐tetrahydrobenzodiazepines has been devised through an SN2‐type ring‐opening of N‐activated aziridines with 2‐bromobenzylamine followed by an intramolecular cyclization through Cu‐powder‐mediated C−N bond formation. This operationally simple and extremely stereospecific ring‐opening‐cyclization approach is very efficient for the synthesis of a diverse array of the desired benzodiazepine derivatives in excellent yields of up to 94 % and enantiomeric excess of up to >99 %.
Degradation and biodegradation of polyethylene with pro‐oxidant aditives under compost conditions establishing relationships between physicochemical and rheological parameters
Authors: Roé‐Sosa Adriana , Estrada Mirna R. , Calderas Fausto , Sánchez-Arévalo Francisco , Manero Octavio , de Velasquez María Teresa Orta L. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTIn the present work, an analysis is carried out to provide a relationship between the Molecular Weight (Mw) of degraded LDPE films (containing Mn stearate as pro oxidant (MnSt‐LDPE) and changes in viscosity, elongation at break (EB %) and carbonyl index (CI) occurring during thermal degradation in the thermophilic phase of the compost process. The thermal treatment comprised various temperatures (50°C, 60°C, and 70°C) and exposure times, and was characterized through a so‐called Energy‐Time Factor (the product of thermal energy and exposure time). Changes in viscosity, EB %, and CI were correlated to this factor. A modified Mark‐Houwink equation was used to relate the zero shear‐rate viscosity and Mw of the degraded LDPE films. Results indicate that the EB %, Mw and viscosity decrease simultaneously with an increase in the CI as the Energy‐Time Factor augments, allowing the assessment of the variation of these properties with Mw. Calculations of the percentage abiotic degradation (%D) of LDPE films indicate that a Mw of 6 kg mol−1 corresponds to a maximum abiotic degradation degree of 91.85%, which is henceforth susceptible to biodegradation. The film treated with Energy‐Time Factor of 2.79E+09 J s mol−1 reached a 74% of biodegradation in 90 days (average time of the composting process). Results exhibit clearly the correlation between abiotic and biotic degradation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42721.
A new approach for breeding low‐temperature‐resistant Volvariella volvacea strains: Genome shuffling in edible fungi
Authors: Zhu Ziping , Wu Xiao , Lv Beibei , Wu Guogan , Wang Jinbin , Jiang Wei , Li Peng , He Jianhua , Chen Jianzhong , Chen Mingjie , Bao Dapeng , Zhang Jinsong , Tan Qi , Tang Xueming 
Published: August 2015

AbstractVolvariella volvacea is difficult to store fresh because of the lack of low‐temperature resistance. Many traditional mutagenic strategies have been applied in order to select out strains resistant to low temperature, but few commercially efficient strains have been produced. In order to break through the bottleneck of traditional breeding and significantly improve low‐temperature resistance of the edible fungus V. volvacea, strains resistant to low temperature were constructed by genome shuffling. The optimum conditions of V. volvacea strain mutation, protoplast regeneration, and fusion were determined. After protoplasts were treated with 1% (v/v) ethylmethylsulfonate (EMS), 40 Sec of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, 600 Gy electron beam implantation, and 750 Gy60Co‐γ irradiation, separately, the lethality was within 70%–80%, which favored generating protoplasts being used in following forward mutation. Under these conditions, 16 strains of V. volvacea mutated by EMS, electron beam, UV irradiation, and 60Co‐γ irradiation were obtained. The 16 mutated protoplasts were selected to serve as the shuffling pool based on their excellent low‐temperature resistance. After four rounds of genome shuffling and low‐temperature resistance testing, three strains (VF1, VF2, and VF3) with high genetic stability were screened. VF1, VF2, and VF3 significantly enhanced fruit body shelf life to 20, 28, and 28 H at 10 °C, respectively, which exceeded 25%, 75%, and 75%, respectively, compared with the storage time of V23, the most low‐temperature‐resistant strain. Genome shuffling greatly improved the low‐temperature resistance of V. volvacea, and shortened the course of screening required to generate desirable strains. To our knowledge, this is the first paper to apply genome shuffling to breeding new varieties of mushroom, and offers a new approach for breeding edible fungi with optimized phenotype.
Vector promoters used in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Jiang Xiao , Zhu Chengqian , Lin Jie , Li Jingkang , Fu Shuilin , Gong Heng 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMuch effort has been devoted to the metabolic engineering of Klebsiella pneumoniae; however, our knowledge of the actual expression level of promoters used in K. pneumoniae is limited. In this study, the expression levels of three promoters were compared systematically by using the lacZ reporter gene with different carbon sources in K. pneumoniae. The results showed that, although promoters PT5 and Ptac designed for Escherichia coli were functional, PT5 appeared more efficient and the induction/repression ratio of Ptac was decreased extremely in K. pneumoniae. The basal level of Ptac for lacZ expression reached 396.5 U/mg, which was 9.5‐fold higher compared with PT5 in LB medium, indicating Ptac can be used as an efficient “constitutive” promoter as well as an efficient induced promoter in K. pneumoniae. In different carbon sources medium, a newly constructed endogenous constitutive Pbud proved to be a stable and weak promoter. On the basis of our data, a set of Pbud and Ptac promoters could meet the broad range (about 1,000 orders of magnitude) of gene expression needed for engineered K. pneumoniae in glycerol‐based medium.
Cloning and functional characterization of an isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase gene from Tripterygium wilfordii
Authors: Tong Yuru , Zhang Meng , Su Ping , Zhao Yujun , Wang Xiujuan , Zhang Xianan , Gao Wei , Huang Luqi 
Published: August 2015

AbstractTripterygium wilfordii Hook.F. is one of the most valuable medicinal plants because it contains a large variety of active terpenoid compounds, including triptolide, celastrol, and wilforlide. All of the pharmacologically active secondary metabolites are synthesized from the 2‐C‐methyl‐d‐erythritol 4‐phosphate and mevalonate pathway in the isoprenoid biosynthetic system. The key step in this pathway is the isomerization of dimethylallyl diphosphate and isopentenyl diphosphate, which is catalyzed by isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IPI). In the present study, a full‐length cDNA encoding IPI (designate as TwIPI, GenBank accession no.KT279355) was cloned from a suspension of cultured cells from T. wilfordii. The full‐length cDNA of TwIPI was 1,564 bp and encoded a polypeptide of 288 amino acids. The bioinformatics analysis showed that the deduced TwIPI sequence contained the TNTCCSHPL and WGEHELDY motif. The transcription level of the TwIPI in the suspension cells increased almost fivefold after treatment with methyl jasmonate as an elicitor. A functional color assay in Escherichia coli indicated that TwIPI could promote the accumulation of lycopene and encoded a functional protein.
Normen für den konstruktiven Wasserbau
Authors: Zeisler Gunnar , Kunz Claus 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAus dem DIN‐Normenausschuss Wasserwesen (NAW), hier Fachbereich Wasserbau (NA 119‐02 FB), werden Normen für den konstruktiven Wasserbau kurz dargestellt, die jüngst überarbeitet wurden sowie die sich derzeit in der Überarbeitung befinden. In einem Ausblick werden weitere Normen benannt, die zeitnah überarbeitet werden sollen. Der Fachbereich wird hierzu voraussichtlich in den einschlägigen Fachzeitschriften Aufrufe zur Mitarbeit lancieren.Standards for structural civil engineering hydraulicsFrom the Department of Hydraulic Engineering NA 119‐02 FB, belonging to the Water Practice Standards Committee (NAW) within the DIN German Institute for Standardization, standards for the hydraulic engineering are presented briefly. There are standards which were recently revised and are currently in the revision. In an outlook some other standards are mentioned which are going to be revised in a timely manner. The department is expected to launch its calls for cooperation in the relevant journals.
Integriertes Rheinprogramm – Einlassbauwerk zum Hochwasserschutz
Authors: Schadwinkel Werner , Sandmann Bernhard , Lonsdorfer Bernhard 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIm vorliegenden Bericht wird auf wesentliche Details der Planung eines neuen Einlassbauwerks für einen Hochwasserrückhalteraum im Bereich des aufgestauten Rheins und das Zusammenwirken von Wasserbau‐, Tragwerksplanern und Bodenmechanikern eingegangen. Die besondere Lage des Bauwerks stellt hohe Anforderungen an die Hochwassersicherheit, die Sicherheit der Baugrube im durch Wasserdruck belasteten Damm bis hin zur sicheren Energieumwandlung unterstrom des Bauwerks. Weiterhin wird ein Fischaufstieg in das Bauwerk integriert. Das Bauwerk wird zurzeit erstellt.The Integrated Rhine Program structure for a flood retention basinThis report deals with the essential planning details of a new intake structure for a flood retention basin in the regulated area of the Rhine, as well as with the collaboration between hydraulic, structural and soil engineers. The particular position of the structure places high demands on various factors, ranging from flood safety , the safety of the excavation pit in the dam, which is also under strain from the pressure of the water, right up to safe energy conversion downstream from the structure. The structure is currently under construction and a fish pass is also being incorporated in it.
Ein Konzept für Teilsicherheitsbeiwerte für bestehende Wasserbauwerke
Authors: Kunz Claus 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWasserbauwerke sind langlebige Infrastrukturanlagen, die zu einem gewissen Grad ein hohes Risikopotenzial aufweisen. Wasserbauwerke des Verkehrswasserbaus in Deutschland, wie z. B. Wehranlagen und Schleusen, haben ein durchschnittliches Alter von etwa 70 Jahren, etwa 25 % dieser Bauwerke haben bereits ihre theoretische Lebensdauer von 100 Jahren überschritten. Bei Schäden oder bei Umnutzungen, ggf. aber auch bei Erkenntnisgewinnen, z. B. in Normenfortschreibungen, werden bestehende Bauwerke im Rahmen einer statischen Überprüfung bewertet. Dies ist nicht mit den Standards, die oft nur für neue Bauwerke entwickelt wurden, wie z. B. den vorliegenden Eurocodes, möglich. Die Anwendung dieser Normen für neue Bauwerke führt zu einer konzeptionellen Alterung, bei der die Tragfähigkeit zum Teil rechnerisch nicht mehr gegeben ist, was häufig jedoch nicht der Realität zu entsprechen scheint. Für die statische Bewertung von massiven Wasserbauwerken wurde ein Konzept für Teilsicherheitsbeiwerte entwickelt, das über Zuverlässigkeitsüberlegungen, über die Betrachtung der Restnutzungsdauer sowie über die Berücksichtigung überprüfter Basisvariablen von Einwirkungen und Widerständen nach detaillierter Vor‐Ort‐Bestandsaufnahme das Teilsicherheitskonzept der Eurocodes modifiziert. Die normativ gewünschte Gesamt‐Zuverlässigkeit wird dabei über eine Restnutzungsdauer des bestehenden Wasserbauwerks aufrecht erhalten.Partial safety factors for existing hydraulic structuresHydraulic structures are long‐living infrastructure assets which have to some extent a high risk potential. Waterway structures in Germany have an average lifespan of about 70 years, about 25 % of the structures have already passed their theoretical service life of 100 years. By aging and degradation, by changing of environmental conditions over time, but also by changes of safety concepts and proof formats in codes existing structures must be evaluated within a static verifications. This is not possible with standards which often have been usually designed only for new structures like the present Eurocodes. The application of these ”new structure" standards leads to a conceptional aging, where often the bearing capacity is not given by computational figures. However this does not correspond to the reality. In addition, limited resources prohibit to meet the safety standard ever for new structures during a cycle of use, and thus to negate the aging.A concept for the verification of massive hydraulic structures had been developed, where reliability considerations, the remaining lifetime and the possible modification of basic variables on the action and resistance side after some detailed on‐site inventory are comprised and which lead to modified partial safety factors for the use in a semi‐probabilistic design concept. For the existing structures the originally required overall reliability level given by the relevant codes is kept up during the remaining lifetime.