Publications by authors named "M R Diffenderfer"

Background And Aims: Elevated small dense low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (sdLDL-C) has been reported to be associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Our aims were to determine whether direct and calculated sdLDL-C were significant independent ASCVD risk factors in sex and race subgroups.

Methods: In a total of 15,933 participants free of ASCVD at baseline (median age 62 years, 56.

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Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has caused over 6 million deaths world-wide. In the pre-vaccination era, we noted a 5·3% SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody positivity rate in 81,624 subjects.

Methods: Utilizing assays for serum SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein antibody (Roche) and neutralizing antibody (Diazyme), both >90% IgG, we measured antibodies in 13,189 subjects in the post-vaccination era, and in 69 subjects before and 60 days after booster vaccination.

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Background: Fatty acids (FA) play an important role in health and heart disease risk.

Objective: We evaluated relationships of plasma FA levels, especially omega-3 FA, with sex, age, and reported heart disease mortality rates by state in a very large clinical population.

Methods: Plasma FA were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry after lipid extraction in 1,169,621 fasting United States subjects grouped according to sex (56.

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Most deaths from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection occur in older subjects. We assessed the utility of serum inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6), C reactive protein (CRP), and ferritin (Roche, Indianapolis, IN), and SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and neutralizing antibodies (Diazyme, Poway, CA). In controls, non-hospitalized subjects, and hospitalized subjects assessed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (n = 278), median IgG levels in arbitrary units (AU)/mL were 0.

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SARS-CoV-2 has infected millions worldwide. The virus is novel, and currently there is no approved treatment. Convalescent plasma may offer a treatment option.

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