bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of risk factors for vascular disease in the carotid artery and aorta in women with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Selzer Faith , Sutton‐Tyrrell Kim , Fitzgerald Shirley G. , Pratt Joan E. , Tracy Russell P. , Kuller Lewis H. , Manzi Susan 
Published: January 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo examine and compare risk factors for various stages of subclinical vascular disease in different vascular beds (carotid and aorta) in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who have not yet developed clinical cardiovascular disease.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was conducted in 214 women without clinical cardiovascular disease who were enrolled in the Pittsburgh Lupus Registry. B‐mode ultrasound was used to measure carotid plaque and intima‐media wall thickness (IMT). Doppler probes were used to collect pulse‐wave velocity waveforms from the right carotid and femoral arteries as a measure of aortic stiffness. All risk factor data were collected on the day of the ultrasound examinations.ResultsThe mean ± SD age of the women was 45.2 ± 10.5 years and the median SLE disease duration was ∼9 years. Sixty‐eight (32%) of the women had at least 1 focal plaque. The mean ± SD IMT was 0.71 ± 0.1 mm, and the mean ± SD pulse‐wave velocity was 5.96 ± 1.6 meters/second. Using logistic regression, we found that determinants of plaque included older age, higher systolic blood pressure, lower levels of high‐density lipoprotein 3, and antidepressant use. Determinants of plaque severity were older age, higher systolic blood pressure, lower levels of albumin, and smoking. Independent determinants of the highest quartile of IMT were older age, higher pulse pressure, lower levels of albumin, elevated C‐reactive protein levels, high cholesterol, and higher levels of glucose. Higher aortic stiffness was associated with older age, higher systolic blood pressure, higher C3 levels, lower white blood cell count, higher insulin levels, and renal disease.ConclusionIn women with SLE, the risk factors associated with carotid plaque and IMT are those typically associated with cardiovascular disease in the general population, whereas the risk factors associated with vascular stiffness include SLE‐specific variables related to immune dysregulation and complement metabolism. The high prevalence of cardiovascular disease among lupus patients may result from both early adverse effects on vascular stiffening as well as later promotion of wall thickening and plaque through inflammatory‐mediated processes. These observations provide clues for future mechanistic studies.
Finer linkage mapping of primary osteoarthritis susceptibility loci on chromosomes 4 and 16 in families with affected women
Authors: Forster Tracy , Chapman Kay , Marcelline Lucy , Mustafa Zehra , Southam Lorraine , Loughlin John 
Published: January 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo more finely linkage‐map primary osteoarthritis (OA) susceptibility loci on chromosomes 4 and 16.MethodsTwo hundred eighteen families, each with 2 or more women concordant for primary OA (ascertained by total hip replacement [THR] or total knee replacement), were genotyped using highly polymorphic microsatellite markers from chromosomes 4 and 16, at an average density of 1 marker every 4 cM. Two‐point and multipoint linkage analyses were performed for all 218 families and for the 146 families from the 218 that included women concordant for THR (female‐THR families).ResultsA single region of linkage was identified on chromosome 4q, with a maximum multipoint logarithm of odds (LOD) score (MLS) of 3.1 in the 146 female‐THR families. This locus was centered 79 cM from the 4p telomere and had a 1‐LOD support interval of 4 cM. Two regions of linkage were identified on chromosome 16, the first on 16p with an MLS of 1.7 in the female‐THR families and the second on 16q with an MLS of 1.9 in all 218 families. The first locus was centered 46 cM and the second 89 cM from the p‐telomere. The 1‐LOD support intervals were 12 cM and 10 cM, respectively.ConclusionFiner linkage mapping using a high density of microsatellite markers has narrowed female OA susceptibility loci on chromosomes 4 and 16. The regions have been narrowed sufficiently for association analysis.
Genomic absence of the gene encoding T cell receptor Vβ7.2 is linked to the presence of autoantibodies in Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Manavalan Sanil J. , Valiando Jennifer R. , Reeves Westley H. , Arnett Frank C. , Necker Antje , Simantov Ronit , Lyons Robert , Satoh Minoru , Posnett David N. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractObjectiveIt is not yet known whether the absence of certain T cell receptor Vβ (TCRBV) genes (e.g., due to genomic deletion) has functional significance. We examined this question in relation to a known 21.6‐kb insertion/deletion‐related polymorphism (IDRP) in the human BV locus.MethodsNew polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping methods were used. Monoclonal antibodies to TCRBV gene products were used to confirm the absence of the relevant proteins. Patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were compared with normal controls with regard to TCR genotypes and serologic profiles.ResultsThere are 3 known haplotypes (I, D1, D2) and 6 possible genotypes related to the 21.6‐kb IDRP. Novel PCR‐based methods were used to define these genotypes. In subjects with deleted/deleted (D/D) genotypes, T cells could not express Vβ7.2 TCRs, as assayed with a new antibody specific for Vβ7.2. This was the sole significant difference between subjects without the insertion and those with either 1 or 2 copies. Surprisingly, we found that the D/D genotype was associated with primary SS, but only when pathogenic autoantibodies were present.ConclusionThese results suggest that T cells expressing TCRs with Vβ7.2 are protective against a pathogenic immune response in SS. Thus, genomic polymorphism of TCR genes (along with the correct HLA alleles) determines whether T cells can direct a pathogenic autoimmune response.
Anti‐DNA topoisomerase IIα autoantibodies in localized scleroderma
Authors: Hayakawa Ikuko , Hasegawa Minoru , Takehara Kazuhiko , Sato Shinichi 
Published: January 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence and clinical correlation of anti‐DNA topoisomerase IIα (anti–topo IIα) antibody in patients with localized scleroderma.MethodsAnti–topo IIα antibodies or anti‐DNA topoisomerase I (topo I) antibodies were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting. Inhibition of topo IIα enzymatic activity by the antibodies was evaluated by decatenation assays using kinetoplast DNA as a substrate.ResultsIgG or IgM anti–topo IIα antibody was detected in 76% (35 of 46) of patients with localized scleroderma, and in 85% (11 of 13) of patients with generalized morphea, the severest form of localized scleroderma. This prevalence of the antibody in patients with localized scleroderma was much higher than that found in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) (5 of 37 [14%]), systemic lupus erythematosus (2 of 26 [8%]), dermatomyositis (2 of 20 [10%]), and in healthy controls (3 of 42 [7%]). Immunoblotting confirmed the presence of IgG anti–topo IIα antibody in sera from patients with localized scleroderma and showed no cross‐reactivity of anti–topo IIα antibody with topo I. Anti–topo I antibody was not detected by ELISA in any sera from patients with localized scleroderma. In addition, anti–topo I antibody from SSc patients did not cross‐react with topo IIα. The presence of anti–topo IIα antibody was associated with a greater total number of sclerotic lesions and number of plaque lesions in patients with localized scleroderma. Furthermore, anti–topo IIα antibody was able to inhibit topo IIα enzymatic activity.ConclusionThe results of the present study indicate that anti–topo IIα is a major autoantibody in localized scleroderma, and is distinct from anti–topo I antibody in SSc.
Vitamin D intake is inversely associated with rheumatoid arthritis: Results from the Iowa Women's Health Study
Authors: Merlino Linda A. , Curtis Jeffrey , Mikuls Ted R. , Cerhan James R. , Criswell Lindsey A. , Saag Kenneth G. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractObjectiveVitamin D is a potent regulator of calcium homeostasis and may have immunomodulatory effects. The influence of vitamin D on human autoimmune disease has not been well defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of dietary and supplemental vitamin D intake with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) incidence.MethodsWe analyzed data from a prospective cohort study of 29,368 women of ages 55–69 years without a history of RA at study baseline in 1986. Diet was ascertained using a self‐administered, 127‐item validated food frequency questionnaire that included supplemental vitamin D use. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsThrough 11 years of followup, 152 cases of RA were validated against medical records. Greater intake (highest versus lowest tertile) of vitamin D was inversely associated with risk of RA (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.44–1.00,Pfor trend = 0.05). Inverse associations were apparent for both dietary (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.46–1.14,Pfor trend = 0.16) and supplemental (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.43–1.00,Pfor trend = 0.03) vitamin D. No individual food item high in vitamin D content and/or calcium was strongly associated with RA risk, but a composite measure of milk products was suggestive of an inverse association with risk of RA (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.42–1.01,Pfor trend = 0.06).ConclusionGreater intake of vitamin D may be associated with a lower risk of RA in older women, although this finding is hypothesis generating.
Impact of initial aggressive drug treatment with a combination of disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs on the development of work disability in early rheumatoid arthritis: A five‐year randomized followup trial
Authors: Puolakka Kari , Kautiainen Hannu , Möttönen Timo , Hannonen Pekka , Korpela Markku , Julkunen Heikki , Luukkainen Reijo , Vuori Kaisa , Paimela Leena , Blåfield Harri , Hakala Markku , Leirisalo‐Repo Marjatta 
Published: January 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of therapy with a combination of disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) versus therapy with a single DMARD in the prevention of work disability in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsIn the Finnish Rheumatoid Arthritis Combination Therapy trial, 195 patients with recent‐onset RA were randomly assigned to receive either combination therapy with DMARDs (sulfasalazine, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine) plus prednisolone or single therapy with a DMARD with or without prednisolone. After 2 years, the drug treatment strategy was no longer restricted. At baseline, 162 patients (80 in the combination‐treatment group and 82 in the single‐treatment group) were still working or at least available for work. After 5 years of followup, data on all sick leave and retirement were obtained from social insurance registers or case records. The main outcome for each patient was the cumulative duration of all sick leaves and RA‐related disability pensions, divided by the observation period during which the patient was not retired because of another disease or because of age.ResultsThe cumulative duration of work disability per patient‐observation year was significantly lower in those randomized to combination therapy than in those randomized to single therapy: median 12.4 days (interquartile range [IQR] 0–54) versus 32.2 days (IQR 6–293) (P = 0.008, sex‐ and age‐adjusted P = 0.009). This was mainly due to the difference in sick leaves (i.e., work disability periods ≤300 days): median 11.7 days (IQR 0–44) per patient‐observation year in those treated with combination therapy and 30.0 days (IQR 6–68) in those treated with single therapy (P = 0.002). No statistically significant difference was seen in RA‐related disability pensions.ConclusionAggressive initial treatment of RA with a combination of DMARDs improves 5‐year outcome in terms of lost productivity in patients with RA of recent onset.
Suppression of collagen‐induced arthritis by natural killer T cell activation with OCH, a sphingosine‐truncated analog of α‐galactosylceramide
Authors: Chiba Asako , Oki Shinji , Miyamoto Katsuichi , Hashimoto Hiroshi , Yamamura Takashi , Miyake Sachiko 
Published: January 2004

AbstractObjectiveOCH, a synthetic analog of α‐galactosylceramide with a truncated sphingosine chain, stimulates natural killer T (NKT) cells to produce predominantly Th2 cytokines. Thus, OCH may be a potential agent for the treatment of Th1‐mediated autoimmune diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of OCH on collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) in mice.MethodsMice were immunized with type II collagen (CII) and injected intraperitoneally twice per week with OCH, before or after the onset of CIA. They were monitored to assess the effect of OCH treatment on the severity of disease. Anti‐CII antibodies and cytokine production were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of cytokine genes was determined by quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction.ResultsOCH inhibited CIA in wild‐type C57BL/6 (B6) mice but not in NKT‐deficient mice. OCH suppressed CIA in SJL mice, which are prone to autoimmune diseases and have a deficiency in the number and function of NKT cells which is similar to that in patients with autoimmune diseases, even after disease has already developed. Disease protection conferred by OCH correlated with its ability to selectively induce Th2 cytokine production mediated by NKT cells and to promote collagen‐specific Th2 responses. Neutralization of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) or IL‐10 with monoclonal antibodies abolished disease protection by OCH, indicating a critical role for these cytokines.ConclusionTaken together, our findings suggest that OCH holds possibilities as a therapeutic agent for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
A nonlinear model of information‐seeking behavior
Authors: Foster Allen 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThis paper offers a new, nonlinear model of information‐seeking behavior, which contrasts with earlier stage models of information behavior and represents a potential cornerstone for a shift toward a new perspective for understanding user information behavior. The model is based on the findings of a study on interdisciplinary information‐seeking behavior. The study followed a naturalistic inquiry approach using interviews of 45 academics. The interview results were inductively analyzed and an alternative framework for understanding information‐seeking behavior was developed. This model illustrates three core processes and three levels of contextual interaction, each composed of several individual activities and attributes. These interact dynamically through time in a nonlinear manner. The behavioral patterns are analogous to an artist's palette, in which activities remain available throughout the course of information‐seeking. In viewing the processes in this way, neither start nor finish points are fixed, and each process may be repeated or lead to any other until either the query or context determine that information‐seeking can end. The interactivity and shifts described by the model show information‐seeking to be nonlinear, dynamic, holistic, and flowing. The paper offers four main implications of the model as it applies to existing theory and models, requirements for future research, and the development of information literacy curricula. Central to these implications is the creation of a new nonlinear perspective from which user information‐seeking can be interpreted.
Predicting Library of Congress classifications from Library of Congress subject headings
Authors: Frank Eibe , Paynter Gordon W. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThis paper addresses the problem of automatically assigning a Library of Congress Classification (LCC) to a work given its set of Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). LCCs are organized in a tree: The root node of this hierarchy comprises all possible topics, and leaf nodes correspond to the most specialized topic areas defined. We describe a procedure that, given a resource identified by its LCSH, automatically places that resource in the LCC hierarchy. The procedure uses machine learning techniques and training data from a large library catalog to learn a model that maps from sets of LCSH to classifications from the LCC tree. We present empirical results for our technique showing its accuracy on an independent collection of 50,000 LCSH/LCC pairs.
Indicators of accuracy for answers to ready reference questions on the Internet
Authors: Frické Martin , Fallis Don 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThe Internet is increasingly being used as a source of reference information. Internet users need to be able to distinguish accurate information from inaccurate information. Toward this end, information professionals have published checklists for evaluating information. However, such checklists can be effective only if the proposed indicators of accuracy really do indicate accuracy. This study implements a technique for testing such indicators of accuracy and uses it to test indicators of accuracy for answers to ready reference questions. Many of the commonly proposed indicators of accuracy (e.g., that the Web site does not contain advertising) were not found to be correlated with accuracy. However, the link structure of the Internet can be used to identify Web sites that are more likely to contain accurate reference information.
The effects of domain knowledge on search tactic formulation
Authors: Wildemuth Barbara M. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractA search tactic is a set of search moves that are temporally and semantically related. The current study examined the tactics of medical students searching a factual database in microbiology. The students answered problems and searched the database on three occasions over a 9‐month period. Their search moves were analyzed in terms of the changes in search terms used from one cycle to the next, using two different analysis methods.Common patterns were found in the students' search tactics; the most common approach was the specification of a concept, followed by the addition of one or more concepts, gradually narrowing the retrieved set before it was displayed. It was also found that the search tactics changed over time as the students' domain knowledge changed. These results have important implications for designers in developing systems that will support users' preferred ways of formulating searches. In addition, the research methods used (the coding scheme and the two data analysis methods—zero‐order state transition matrices and maximal repeating patterns [MRP] analysis) are discussed in terms of their validity in future studies of search tactics.
Arabic morphological analysis techniques: A comprehensive survey
Authors: Al‐Sughaiyer Imad A. , Al‐Kharashi Ibrahim A. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractAfter several decades of heavy research activity on English stemmers, Arabic morphological analysis techniques have become a popular area of research. The Arabic language is one of the Semitic languages; it exhibits a very systematic but complex morphological structure based on root‐pattern schemes. As a consequence, survey of such techniques proves to be more necessary. The aim of this paper is to summarize and organize the information available in the literature in an attempt to motivate researchers to look into these techniques and try to develop more advanced ones. This paper introduces, classifies, and surveys Arabic morphological analysis techniques. Furthermore, conclusions, open areas, and future directions are provided at the end.
A graph model for E‐commerce recommender systems
Authors: Huang Zan , Chung Wingyan , Chen Hsinchun 
Published: January 2004

AbstractInformation overload on the Web has created enormous challenges to customers selecting products for online purchases and to online businesses attempting to identify customers' preferences efficiently. Various recommender systems employing different data representations and recommendation methods are currently used to address these challenges. In this research, we developed a graph model that provides a generic data representation and can support different recommendation methods. To demonstrate its usefulness and flexibility, we developed three recommendation methods: direct retrieval, association mining, and high‐degree association retrieval. We used a data set from an online bookstore as our research test‐bed. Evaluation results showed that combining product content information and historical customer transaction information achieved more accurate predictions and relevant recommendations than using only collaborative information. However, comparisons among different methods showed that high‐degree association retrieval did not perform significantly better than the association mining method or the direct retrieval method in our test‐bed.
Environmental management accounting: roadblocks on the way to the green and pleasant land
Authors: Burritt Roger L 
Published: January 2004

AbstractEnvironmental management accounting (EMA) is concerned with the accounting information needs of managers in relation to corporate activities that affect the environment as well as environment‐related impacts on the corporation. It is an area of practice and research that has developed rapidly in the last ten years. This paper briefly considers some of the main conceptual and practical problems encountered in environmental management accounting and challenges and opportunities for the future. It concludes with a call for further case based research studies into investment appraisal, costing and performance management aspects of environmental management accounting. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Transport scenarios in a company strategy
Authors: Andersen Otto , Lundli Hans‐Einar , Holden Erling , Høyer Karl Georg 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThe environmental company strategy of the case company Oslo Sporveier includes scenarios for the development of person transport in Oslo up to year 2016. The basis for three different scenarios is described. This paper presents the use of scenarios as background for environmental reporting. Emissions, energy, land and time use from person transport in the three different scenarios were determined. The scenarios were (i) a private car scenario, where the main growth in person transport is to be met with a strong increase in the use of private cars, (ii) a public transport scenario, where the increase in person transport is to be taken care of with a strong increase in the public transport, and (iii) the sustainability scenario, with a reduction in total person transport, increased share of public transport and walking/bicycling, and reduced share of private car use. The total energy use, CO2 emissions, NOx emissions and particle emissions from person transport in Oslo are reduced in all three scenarios compared with the situation in 1996. The reduction is smallest in the private car scenario and largest in the sustainability scenario. The land use increases in the private car scenario and the public transport scenario, while there is a reduction in land use in the sustainability scenario. The total time consumption connected to person transport increases in all three scenarios. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.