bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natural Killer Cell Cytolytic Function in Korean Patients with Adult-onset Still’s Disease
Authors: PARK JEONG HA , KIM HEE-SUN , LEE JIN SOOK , KIM JIN JU , JUNG KYONG-HEE , PARK YONG-WOOK , YOO DAE-HYUN 
Published: August 2012

Objective.To investigate natural killer (NK) cell proportions, NK cell cytotoxicity, and interleukin 18 (IL-18) expression, in patients with adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD).Methods.Forty-five patients with AOSD (active = 22, inactive = 23) and 32 healthy controls were included. The proportions of NK cells among peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assessed by flow cytometry. IL-18 and IL-18-binding protein (IL-18BP) concentrations were measured by ELISA. Twenty-four patients with AOSD and 18 controls were examined for cytotoxic activity of NK cells by co-incubating NK cells with NK-sensitive K562 cells. The association of NK cell function with clinical and laboratory measures was investigated.Results.The proportions of NK cells were significantly lower in patients with active AOSD than in patients with inactive disease and controls. NK cell cytotoxic function was significantly lower in patients with AOSD than in controls. NK cell proportions and cytotoxic functions were reexamined in 11 and 6 patients, respectively, after treatment. Low NK cell proportion and cytotoxic dysfunction were improved with clinical improvements of the patients. IL-18 and IL-18BP levels were much higher in patients with active AOSD than in controls. NK cell cytotoxic functions were consistently low and IL-18 and IL-18BP levels were constantly high in patients with AOSD, regardless of disease activity.Conclusion.Low NK cell proportion, defective cytotoxic function, and elevated IL-18 levels may be significant features of AOSD. After resolution of the acute phase, low NK cell proportion was recovered and NK cell cytolytic function was restored along with clinical improvement. These findings possibly contribute to immunologic abnormalities in AOSD.
Beneficial Effect of Interleukin 1 Inhibition with Anakinra in Adult-onset Still’s Disease. An Open, Randomized, Multicenter Study
Authors: NORDSTRÖM DAN , KNIGHT ANN , LUUKKAINEN REIJO , van VOLLENHOVEN RONALD , RANTALAIHO VAPPU , KAJALAINEN ANNA , BRUN JOHAN G. , PROVEN ANNE , LJUNG LOTTA , KAUTIAINEN HANNU , PETTERSSON TOM 
Published: August 2012

Objective.To study the efficacy of anakinra versus disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) in refractory adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD).Methods.In a 24-week study, 22 patients with AOSD taking prednisolone ≥ 10 mg/day received anakinra (n = 12) or DMARD (n = 10). The primary endpoint was achievement of remission.Results.At 8 and 24 weeks, 7/12 and 6/12 receiving anakinra and 5/10 and 2/10 receiving DMARD achieved remission. Anakinra induced greater improvement in physical health measured by Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36; p < 0.011). During an open-label extension (OLE) of 28 weeks, 7/14 patients taking anakinra and 2/3 taking DMARD were in remission.Conclusion.Anakinra induced more beneficial responses than DMARD in patients with AOSD and was favored in the OLE phase. (ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration NCT01033656).
ABCB1andABCC3Gene Polymorphisms Are Associated with First-year Response to Methotrexate in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: de ROTTE MAURITS C.F.J. , BULATOVIC MAJA , HEIJSTEK MARLOES W. , JANSEN GERRIT , HEIL SANDRA G. , van SCHAIK RON H.N. , WULFFRAAT NICO M. , de JONGE ROBERT 
Published: August 2012

Objective.Although methotrexate (MTX) is the most widely prescribed drug in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), 30% of patients fail to respond to it. To individualize treatment strategies, the genetic determinants of response to MTX should be identified.Methods.A cohort of 287 patients with JIA treated with MTX was studied longitudinally over the first year of treatment. MTX response was defined as the American College of Rheumatology pediatric 70 criteria (ACRped70). We genotyped 21 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 13 genes related to MTX polyglutamylation and to cellular MTX uptake and efflux. Potential associations between ACRped70 and genotypes were analyzed in a multivariate model and corrected for these 3 covariates: disease duration prior to MTX treatment, physician’s global assessment of disease activity at baseline, and MTX dose at all study visits.Results.MTX response was more often achieved by patients variant for the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter B1 (ABCB1) gene polymorphism rs1045642 (OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.70−8.47, p = 0.001) and patients variant for theABCC3gene polymorphism rs4793665 (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.49−6.41, p = 0.002) than by patients with other genotypes. Patients variant for the solute carrier 19A1 (SLC19A1) gene polymorphism rs1051266 were less likely to respond to MTX (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.09−0.72, p = 0.011).Conclusion.ABCB1rs1045642,ABCC3rs4793665, andSLC19A1rs1051266 polymorphisms were associated with response to MTX in 287 patients with JIA studied longitudinally. Upon validation of our results in other JIA cohorts, these genetic determinants may help to individualize treatment strategies by predicting clinical response to MTX.
Initial Diagnosis of Lumbar Disc Herniation Is Associated with a Delay in Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: GERDAN VEDAT , AKAR SERVET , SOLMAZ DILEK , PEHLIVAN YAVUZ , ONAT AHMET MESUT , KISACIK BUNYAMIN , SAYARLIOGLU MEHMET , ERHAN CIGDEM , TEZCAN MEHMET ENGIN , OZTURK MEHMET AKIF , ONEN FATOS , AKKOC NURULLAH 
Published: August 2012

Objective.There is often a considerable delay in diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). In this multicenter study, we analyzed the delay and possible associated factors, including an initial diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation (LDH), which we frequently encounter in daily clinical practice.Methods.The study included 393 consecutive patients [258 men (65.6%), mean age 39.3 ± 10.8 yrs] with AS according to the modified New York criteria. Face-to-face interviews were done using a structured questionnaire, addressing all the potentially relevant factors.Results.The mean diagnostic delay was 8.1 ± 8.6 years in the whole study population. The shortest delay was observed when rheumatologists were the first physicians consulted (2.9 ± 5.3 yrs). An initial diagnosis of LDH was reported by 33% of the patients. The diagnostic delays in patients with an initial diagnosis of LDH and those without were 9.1 ± 8.5 years and 6.2 ± 7.4 years, respectively (p = 0.002). In a regression model, predictive factors for delay in diagnosis were age at onset of spondyloarthritic symptoms, back pain, education level, prior diagnosis of LDH, and surgical history for LDH.Conclusion.These results indicate the need to increase awareness of the concept of axial spondyloarthritis among specialists who might be the first physicians consulted by patients with AS for their back pain. There is also a need to develop strategies for early referral of such patients to rheumatologists.
Blau Arteritis Resembling Takayasu Disease with a Novel NOD2 Mutation
Authors: KHUBCHANDANI RAJU P. , HASIJA RACHANA , TOUITOU ISABELLE , KHEMANI CHETNA , WOUTERS CARINE H. , ROSE CARLOS D. 
Published: August 2012

Objective.To put forward a new concept — Blau arteritis, a form of large-vessel vasculitis phenotypically related to Takayasu disease but genetically and clinically part of an expanded phenotype of Blau syndrome.Methods.We provide a clinical description of a new case and summarize previously published cases of arteritis associated with Blau syndrome. Genetic testing was performed by direct sequencing of exon 4 of the NOD2 gene.Results.The case described and those reviewed from the literature demonstrate the emerging phenotype of Takayasu-like arteritis in patients with Blau syndrome. Although most patients described to date depict an otherwise classic Blau syndrome phenotype, the current case was atypical in that the predominant features were arteritic. A novel substitution, G464W, in a highly conserved position near the nucleotide oligomerization domain of the NOD2 protein is also described.Conclusion.Blau arteritis can be observed in the context of both typical and atypical (incomplete) Blau syndrome. The associated mutation in the NOD2 gene raises the question of the potential importance of this gene among patients with “primary” forms of Takayasu arteritis.
Magnetic Resonance Arthrography of Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Joints in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Relationship to Clinical, Biomechanical, and Radiographic Variables
Authors: SIDDLE HEIDI J. , HODGSON RICHARD J. , O’CONNOR PHILIP , GRAINGER ANDREW J. , REDMOND ANTHONY C. , WAKEFIELD RICHARD J. , HENSOR ELIZABETH M.A. , HELLIWELL PHILIP S. 
Published: August 2012

Objective.Our exploratory study of painful lesser metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) primarily aimed to compare the clinical, biomechanical, and plain radiography findings with magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography findings. Our secondary aim was to compare standard unenhanced MR with MR arthrography in imaging the lesser MTP joints in RA.Methods.In 15 patients with RA, the more symptomatic forefoot was imaged using 3T MR imaging. Proton density fat-suppressed images were acquired through the lesser MTP joints prior to arthrography. Under ultrasound guidance, contrast agent was injected into 2 lesser MTP joints. T1-weighted fat-suppressed sequences were subsequently acquired. The MR images were read by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists and consensus was reached. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to assess the association between abnormalities seen on MR arthrography and the clinical, biomechanical, and plain radiography findings.Results.MR arthrography demonstrated pathology at 18 of 28 lesser MTP joints (64%) examined in patients with RA. MR arthrography abnormalities were associated with RA disease duration, forefoot deformity, Larsen score, subluxation, and peak plantar pressure. Unenhanced MR had a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 90% for detecting pathology compared to MR arthrography.Conclusion.Capsule and plantar plate pathology occurs in the painful forefoot of patients with RA and is associated with features of disease and deformity at the lesser MTP joints. Compared with MR arthrography, standard MR imaging was highly specific and moderately sensitive for diagnosing lesser MTP joint pathology in patients with RA.
Increased Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 29,000 Patients with Biopsy-verified Celiac Disease
Authors: LUDVIGSSON JONAS F. , RUBIO-TAPIA ALBERTO , CHOWDHARY VAIDEHI , MURRAY JOSEPH A. , SIMARD JULIA F. 
Published: August 2012

Objective.To investigate a possible association between celiac disease (CD) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Case series have indicated a possible association, but population-based studies are lacking.Methods.We compared the risk of SLE in 29,048 individuals with biopsy-verified CD (villous atrophy, Marsh 3) from Sweden’s 28 pathology departments with that in 144,352 matched individuals from the general population identified through the Swedish Total Population Register. SLE was defined as having at least 2 records of SLE in the Swedish Patient Register. We used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for SLE.Results.During followup, 54 individuals with CD had an incident SLE. This corresponded to an HR of 3.49 (95% CI 2.48−4.90), with an absolute risk of 17/100,000 person-years and an excess risk of 12/100,000. Beyond 5 years of followup, the HR for SLE was 2.54 (95% CI 1.57−4.10). While SLE was predominantly female, we found similar risk estimates in men and women. When we restricted our outcome to individuals who also had a dispensation for a medication used in SLE, the HR was 2.43 (95% CI 1.22−4.87). The HR for having 2 records of SLE diagnoses, out of which at least 1 had occurred in a department of rheumatology, nephrology/dialysis, internal medicine, or pediatrics, was 2.87 (95% CI 1.97−4.17).Conclusion.Individuals with CD were at a 3-fold increased risk of SLE compared to the general population. Although this excess risk remained more than 5 years after CD diagnosis, absolute risks were low.
El apadrinamiento en los clubs privados de compras ‘on-line’
Authors: Fuentelsaz Lucio , Garrido Elisabet 
Published: August 2012

Este trabajo analiza las motivaciones que subyacen en la estrategia de apadrinamiento que llevan a cabo los clubs privados de compras on-line. ¿Por qué ha surgido el apadrinamiento como sistema de recomendación? ¿Es realmente novedoso? ¿Por qué los usuarios registrados deciden recomendar la empresa a otros? ¿Cómo la empresa puede promover este flujo de información empresa-padrino-ahijado? Estas son las principales cuestiones a las que pretende dar respuesta este artículo mediante la observación del comportamiento de este tipo de empresas en la Red.
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This paper studies the motivations of online users to participate in the “new” recommendation system used by online private shopping clubs. Why has this system appeared? Is the Member-get-Member online really new? Why do users decide to recommend the website to others? How can a firm improve the recommendation of its website? This article tries to answer these questions by observing the behaviour of this type of firms in the online market.
Influencia de los instrumentos voluntarios en la publicación de información ambiental de los hoteles españoles
Authors: Bueno Eduardo , Salmador M. Paz , Reyes Aníbal 
Published: August 2012

El desarrollo sostenible en el turismo es un tema de gran importancia en la actualidad. Para la consecución de este objetivo se requiere que se brinde al público un adecuado nivel de información relacionada con el medio ambiente. Con el fin de identificar qué factores influyen en la publicación de información medioambiental en los hoteles españoles se desarrolla esta investigación. A través de un análisis discriminante se ha evaluado la influencia de los instrumentos voluntarios medioambientales (IVM), así como otras variables características de los hoteles, en la publicación de este tipo de información. Como resultado se ha obtenido que las variables de mayor peso son la certificación de los sistemas de gestión ambiental y la presencia internacional del hotel. En el trabajo se describen además otros aspectos relevantes obtenidos en el análisis.
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Tourism has been identified as one of the most relevant industries to make important contributions to sustainable development. To achieve sustainable development objectives, tourism needs to develop and implement voluntary initiatives. Compared with regulatory instruments, voluntary instruments promise to develop faster and be more effective to achieve environmental policy objectives at a lower cost. The publication of environmental information is also important. Related to these aspects we develop this paper, aimed to analyze the influence of the different voluntary instruments for sustainable tourism on the environmental information published by Spanish hotels. Our findings indicate that the variables that discriminate best the publication of this kind of information are the certification of the Environmental Management System (EMS) and the international presence. The rest of instruments analyzed show no influence in the publication of environmental information, related to low pressure from customers about environmental care.
El método Hirose de valoración financiera de marcas y sus limitaciones: aplicación al caso Adolfo Domínguez
Authors: Barajas Ángel , Pérez Mantecón María 
Published: August 2012

La valoración financiera de una marca puede variar notablemente en función de la situación económica. Después de explicar el concepto de marca orientado desde una perspectiva financiera, se presenta el modelo de valoración empleado: el método Hirose. Dicho modelo se aplica a un caso de estudio –la marca Adolfo Domínguez– y sirve para mostrar que, modificando algunos parámetros de cálculo, los valores oscilan entre casi 43 millones de euros y más de 61. Se concluye que existen componentes subjetivos y que las circunstancias económicas del mercado influyen en la valoración, proporcionando valores más altos en épocas de bonanza y valores más bajos en épocas de crisis.
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The financial valuation of a brand can vary greatly depending on the economic situation. The concept of brand is explained from a financial perspective. The Hirose method of brand valuation is introduced. Through a case study in particular it is shown that the valuation of Adolfo Domínguez, changing some parameters, is in a range between about 43 and more than 61 million Euros. Thus, we conclude that some subjective and economic circumstances influence by providing higher valuations in good times and lower valuations in crisis times.
Tissue-Expressed B7x Affects the Immune Response to and Outcome of Lethal Pulmonary Infection
Authors: Hofmeyer Kimberly A. , Scandiuzzi Lisa , Ghosh Kaya , Pirofski Liise-Anne , Zang Xingxing 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
B7x (B7-H4 or B7S1), a member of the B7 family, inhibits in vitro T cell proliferation and cytokine production by binding to an unidentified receptor on activated T cells, but its in vivo function remains largely unclear. We show that B7x protein was expressed in epithelial cells of the lung, but not in lymphoid tissues. To investigate the role of B7x in the lung, we determined the susceptibility of B7x-deficient (B7x−/−) mice to a lethal pulmonary infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae. B7x−/−, but not B7-H3–deficient, mice were significantly more resistant to S. pneumoniae pulmonary infection than their wild-type (Wt) counterparts. B7x−/− mice had significantly lower bacterial burdens and levels of inflammatory cytokines in lungs as early as 12 h postinfection. They also had milder immunopathology that was localized in alveolar spaces, whereas Wt mice had severe inflammation that was perivascular. Control of infection in B7x−/− mice was associated with a marked increase in activated CD4 and CD8 T cells and fewer neutrophils in lungs, whereas the susceptible Wt mice had the opposite cellular profile. In B7x−/−Rag1−/− mice that lack T cells, reduction in bacterial burden was no longer observed. Control of S. pneumoniae and the increased survival observed was specific to the lung, because systemically infected B7x−/− mice were not resistant to infection. These data indicate that lung-expressed B7x negatively regulates T cells, and that in its absence, in B7x−/− mice, an enhanced T cell response contributed to reduced lethality in a pulmonary infection model with S. pneumoniae.
Understanding Why Clinicians Answer or Ignore Clinical Decision Support Prompts
Authors: Anand V. , Downs S. M. , Carroll A.E. 
Published: August 2012

Summary
Introduction: The identification of key factors influencing responses to prompts and reminders within a computer decision support system (CDSS) has not been widely studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate why clinicians routinely answer certain prompts while others are ignored. Methods: We utilized data collected from a CDSS developed by our research group – the Child Health Improvement through Computer Automation (CHICA) system. The main outcome of interest was whether a clinician responded to a prompt.
Results: This study found that, as expected, some clinics and physicians were more likely to address prompts than others. However, we also found clinicians are more likely to address prompts for younger patients and when the prompts address more serious issues. The most striking finding was that the position of a prompt was a significant predictor of the likelihood of the prompt being addressed, even after controlling for other factors. Prompts at the top of the page were significantly more likely to be answered than the ones on the bottom.
Conclusions: This study detailed a number of factors that are associated with physicians following clinical decision support prompts. This information could be instrumental in designing better interventions and more successful clinical decision support systems in the future.
A reforma do poder judiciário no Brasil: uma análise a partir do modelo gerencial
Authors: Sena Gabriel Astoni , Silva Edson Arlindo , Luquini Roberto de Almeida 
Published: August 2012

Este artigo tem como objetivo identificar o perfil da reforma no Poder Judiciário brasileiro, por meio da análise do processo de reforma do Estado. Nesse sentido, o foco do estudo foi identificar o processo de substituição do modelo burocrático para o gerencial, implantado na administração pública brasileira a partir de 1995, tentando transplantá-lo para a gestão judiciária. Além disso, foi observado o papel que o Conselho Nacional de Justiça exerceu neste processo e a lógica do plano de metas da instituição, buscando descrever o viés dessa reforma. Como resultados observou-se que as metas implantadas buscaram implantar uma gestão mais eficaz neste núcleo estratégico do Estado, com ênfase na celeridade processual. Dessa forma, a lógica gerencial exerceu grande influência no novo modelo de gestão adotado tendo em vista que as diretrizes dessa reforma focaram nos objetivos estratégicos do poder e não na lógica fiscal, predominantemente economicistas. Deve-se ressaltar que não se pretende esgotar a temática, porém, é necessário suscitar um campo de debate para que sejam discutidas as consequências da adoção deste modelo na gestão do Poder Judiciário e seus reflexos para a sociedade brasileira.
Análise do desempenho de longo prazo de Initial Public Offerings no mercado acionário brasileiro
Authors: Teixeira Elisa Elaine Moreira , Barbosa Francisco Vidal , Souza Antônio Artur de 
Published: August 2012

Este trabalho descreve os resultados de uma pesquisa que teve dois objetivos: (i) comparar o desempenho das Ofertas Públicas Iniciais (IPOs, do inglês Initial Public Offerings) realizadas no mercado acionário brasileiro nos anos de 2004 e 2005 com o desempenho de empresas de capital aberto; e (ii) identificar se as IPOs passaram a fazer parte do Índice Bovespa (IBOV) no período pesquisado. Em um primeiro momento, foi feito o levantamento das variações nos preços das ações a cada ano subsequente à abertura de capital. Posteriormente, foi feita a comparação entre os múltiplos das IPOs com os múltiplos das empresas de capital aberto selecionadas. Os resultados mostraram que, no primeiro e no segundo ano de aniversário, 81,25% das IPOs apresentaram retorno positivo e, no terceiro ano, apenas 50% delas tiveram retorno positivo. Observou-se que as empresas com menor idade de fundação apresentaram os maiores retornos e que 45% delas começaram a fazer parte do IBOV no período pesquisado. Comparando-se os múltiplos, observou-se que, em todas as faixas etárias, as IPOs estão mais valorizadas em relação às empresas de comparação. Conclui-se, portanto, que o desempenho das IPOs, no período pesquisado, foi superior ao desempenho das empresas de comparação.