bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two familial cases with a lethal gracile bone dysplasia and intrauterine growth retardation
Authors: Korniszewski Lech , Arbuckle Susan , Kozlowski Kazimierz
Published: April 2003

A number of more or less distinct entities with low birth weight and abnormal radiographic appearances have been identified. We studied two sisters who were unusual because of severe intrauterine growth restriction, absence of growth after birth, decrease of pre‐ and postnatal spontaneous mobility, and early fatal outcome. The chondro‐osseous morphology documented a distinctive osteochondrodysplasia. The radiographic examination was superficially similar to gracile bone dysplasias but was inconsistent with any known types of this group. These two patients appear to have a unique gracile bone dysplasia. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Natural history of rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata
Authors: White Amy L. , Modaff Peggy , Holland‐Morris Francesca , Pauli Richard M.
Published: April 2003

Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCP) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with many associated medical complications. Prior to this study, natural history information about RCP was limited and based on experiences with small populations of affected individuals. We delineate the natural history of RCP through systematic analysis of 35 previously unreported individuals (as well as review of 62 literature cases with respect to survival and cause of death). Survival, growth, and developmental expectations and medical needs are summarized based upon experience with this population. Survival is greater among this population than previously reported, with 90% surviving up to 1 year and 50% surviving up to 6 years. Cause of death is most often respiratory problem. All infants with RCP have joint contractures, bilateral cataracts, and severe growth and psychomotor delays. Recommendations for health supervision of children with RCP and for parental counseling are presented. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brief communication: The Galler Collection: A little‐known historic Swiss bone pathology reference series
Authors: Rühli Frank J. , Hotz Gerhard , Böni Thomas
Published: April 2003

The aim of this article is to briefly present the Galler Collection, a little‐known historic Swiss bone reference series of high value for paleopathological research. The Galler Collection consists of approximately 600 mostly dry‐bone specimens of many major bone diseases dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Clinical information and autopsy reports are available for the majority of specimens. Rarely documented conditions represented in the collection include: severe forms of myositis ossificans progressiva, kyphoscoliosis, endemic cretinism, hypo‐ and hyperparathyroidism, and phosphorus‐induced bone necrosis. At present, the Galler Collection is located at the National History Museum in Basel (Augustinergasse 2, 4001 Basel, Switzerland, Telephone: +41612665500, Fax: +41612665546). Am J Phys Anthropol 121:000–000, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crystallographic report: Bis(isonicotinonitrile)cadmium diselencyanate, [Cd(SeCN)2(pyCN)2] (pyCN = isonicotinonitrile)
Authors: Li Dacheng , Liu Daojie
Published: April 2003

The title compound, [Cd(SeCN)2(pyCN)2]∞, adopts an extended one‐dimensional chain structure in which the neighboring cadmium atoms are bridged by two selenocyanate ions. The central cadmium atom has a distorted octahedral geometry defined by two isonicotinonitrile and four selenocyanate ions in a 4N2Se fashion. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Catalytic polymerization of maleic anhydride
Authors: Ma Weihua , Lu Lude , Yang Xujie , Wang Xin
Published: April 2003

This study examined the polymerizations of maleic anhydride in solution and in the bulk phase catalyzed by nanocrystalline titania or sodium acetate. Through IR and 1H‐NMR, the monomer and polymer were characterized, and the structure of the polymer was confirmed. Moreover, the polymer molecular weight was measured to be 400–800 in solution and 2000–3000 in the bulk phase. The mechanism of the catalytic polymerization was also investigated. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2868–2874, 2003
Improvement of thermomechanical properties of a DGEBS/DDS system blended with a novel thermoplastic copolymer by realization of a semi‐IPN network
Authors: Blanco I. , Cicala G. , Lo Faro C. , Recca A.
Published: April 2003

In this article we present the results of a study on the properties of a blend containing a 40:60 amine‐ended copolymer, poly(ether sulfone)—poly(ether ether sulfone), with a system composed of diglycidyl ether of biphenol S and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone (4,4′‐DDS). Five formulations, which varied in amounts of modifier, were characterized through dynamic thermal mechanical analysis and fracture mechanics studies. The morphology of the blends was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The addition of thermoplastics enhanced the toughness of the system, resulting in an increase in the glass‐transition temperature as a function of the amount of thermoplastics. No phase‐separated morphology was detected by TEM analysis, leading to the conclusion that the formation of a homogeneous semi‐IPN network occurred between the thermoplastics and the thermoset. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 3021–3025, 2003
Synthesis of high molecular weight copolymer of styrene and butadiene bearing high 1,4‐cis butadiene unit from copolymerization with CpTiCl3/methylaluminoxane catalyst
Authors: Nakamura Norihiko , Yamaguchi Yuji , Endo Kiyoshi
Published: April 2003

Copolymerization of styrene (St) and butadiene (Bd) with CpTiCl3/methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst in the presence or absence of chloranil (CA) was investigated. The CpTiCl3/MAO catalyst showed a high activity for the copolymerization of St with Bd. The 1,4‐cis contents in the Bd units for the copolymerization of St and Bd with the CpTiCl3/MAO catalyst was observed, and the 1,4‐cis content was optimum at a MAO/Ti mole ratio of around 225. The effect of the polymerization temperature on the copolymerization was noted, as was the effect of the 1,4‐cis microstructure in the Bd units for the copolymerization of St and Bd. The addition of CA to the CpTiCl3/MAO catalyst was found to influence the molecular weight of the copolymer. The high weight‐average molecular weight copolymer (Mw = ca. 50 × 104) consisting of mainly a 1,4‐cis microstructure of Bd units (1,4‐cis = 80.0%) was obtained from the copolymerization with the CpTiCl3/MAO catalyst in the presence of CA (CA/Ti mole ratio = 1) at 0°C. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2942–2946, 2003
Thermal and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid)/starch/methylenediphenyl diisocyanate blending with triethyl citrate
Authors: Ke Tianyi , Sun Xiuzhi S.
Published: April 2003

Triethyl citrate (TC) was added as a plasticizer to a blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and starch in the presence of methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). As expected, TC improved the elongation at break and toughness and, at the same time, decreased the tensile strength and modulus. However, TC did not significantly affect the coupling effects of MDI on starch and PLA. The tensile strength of the blend with MDI was much greater than the tensile strength without MDI at the same TC level. The tensile properties of the blend changed dramatically as the TC concentration increased from 5 to 12.5%. At a TC concentration of 7.5%, the blend produced desirable elongation and toughness with fairly good tensile strength. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2947–2955, 2003
Local production of B lymphocyte stimulator protein and APRIL in arthritic joints of patients with inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Tan Soon‐Min , Xu Dong , Roschke Viktor , Perry James W. , Arkfeld Daniel G. , Ehresmann Glenn R. , Migone Thi‐Sau , Hilbert David M. , Stohl William
Published: April 2003

Objective

To determine whether synovial fluid (SF) levels and cell‐surface expression of B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) protein and SF levels of APRIL are elevated in patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Methods

Same‐day blood and SF samples from 89 patients with 103 knee effusions (81 knees with IA and 22 with noninflammatory arthritis [NIA]) were evaluated for BLyS protein and APRIL levels by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Blood and SF mononuclear cells were double‐stained for surface BLyS protein and surface CD14 (monocyte marker) and were analyzed by flow cytometry. Complete blood cell counts and SF nucleated cell counts were performed by the clinical hematology laboratory.

Results

BLyS protein levels were higher in SF than in corresponding serum samples from both IA and NIA patients. SF BLyS protein levels, but not surface expression of BLyS protein, were disproportionately elevated in IA patients. APRIL levels were higher in SF than in corresponding serum samples from most IA patients but not NIA patients. SF BLyS protein and APRIL levels correlated with each other, and each correlated with SF monocyte, lymphocyte, neutrophil, and total nucleated cell counts. Although SF and serum BLyS protein levels correlated with each other, SF and serum APRIL levels did not, suggesting that SF BLyS protein levels are more dependent upon systemic factors than are SF APRIL levels. Moreover, in 8 patients who underwent sequential arthrocenteses, changes in SF BLyS protein levels did not immutably parallel changes in SF APRIL levels, indicating their differential regulation.

Conclusion

BLyS protein and APRIL are locally produced in inflamed joints. Their respective SF levels are differentially regulated, suggesting that they serve different functions. Together, their local production may foster survival and/or expansion of B cells that produce pathogenic autoantibodies and/or promote local T cell activation and consequent joint destruction.
Weight from birth to 53 years: A longitudinal study of the influence on clinical hand osteoarthritis
Authors: Sayer A. Aihie , Poole J. , Cox V. , Kuh D. , Hardy R. , Wadsworth M. , Cooper C.
Published: April 2003

Objective

To determine the influence of body weight throughout the life course on the development of clinical hand osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

A British national survey was used to perform a prospective cohort study of 1,467 men and 1,519 women born in 1946. Weight was measured at birth and at subsequent followup visits through childhood and adulthood. The main outcome measure was the odds ratio for the presence of hand OA at the age of 53 years.

Results

Two hundred eighty men (19%) and 458 women (30%) had OA in at least 1 hand joint. Hand OA was significantly associated with increased weight at ages 26 years, 43 years, and 53 years and with decreased weight at birth in men. Birth weight and adult weight showed independent effects, such that men with the highest risk for OA represented those who had been heaviest at age 53 years and lightest at birth. These findings were not explained by grip strength. There was no significant relationship between weight and hand OA in women.

Conclusion

The results of this study show that increased adult weight is associated with, and may precede, development of hand OA in men. An association between hand OA and weight was not observed in women. The relationship between hand OA and decreased birth weight is a new finding and may reflect the persisting influence of prenatal environmental factors on adult joint structure and function.
Anakinra, a recombinant human interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (r‐metHuIL‐1ra), in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A large, international, multicenter, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Fleischmann Roy M. , Schechtman Joy , Bennett Ralph , Handel Malcolm L. , Burmester Gerd‐Rudiger , Tesser John , Modafferi Dennis , Poulakos Jennifer , Sun Gordon
Published: April 2003

Objective

To evaluate the safety of anakinra (a recombinant human interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist) in a large population of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), typical of those seen in clinical practice.

Methods

A total of 1,414 patients were randomly assigned to treatment with 100 mg of anakinra or placebo, administered daily by subcutaneous injection. Background medications included disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs, corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, alone or in combination. The primary end point was safety, which was evaluated by adverse events (including infections), discontinuation from study due to adverse events, and death.

Results

Safety was evaluated in 1,399 patients (1,116 in the anakinra group and 283 in the placebo group; 15 patients were randomized but did not receive any study drug) during the initial 6‐month, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase of this long‐term safety study. Baseline demographics, disease characteristics, and concomitant medications were similar between the 2 groups. The study group included patients with numerous comorbid conditions and a wide range of RA disease activity. Serious adverse events occurred at a similar rate in the anakinra group and the placebo group (7.7% and 7.8%, respectively). Serious infectious episodes were observed more frequently in the anakinra group (2.1% versus 0.4% in the placebo group). The rate of withdrawal due to adverse events was 13.4% in the anakinra group and 9.2% in the placebo group.

Conclusion

Results from this large, placebo‐controlled safety study demonstrate that anakinra is safe and well tolerated in a diverse population of patients with RA, including those with comorbid conditions and those using multiple combinations of concomitant therapies. Although the frequency of serious infection was slightly higher in the anakinra group, no infection was attributed to opportunistic microorganisms or resulted in death.
Increased expression of Fcγ receptors II and III on macrophages of rheumatoid arthritis patients results in higher production of tumor necrosis factor α and matrix metalloproteinase
Authors: Blom Arjen B. , Radstake Timothy R. D. J. , Holthuysen Astrid E. M. , Slöetjes Annet W. , Pesman Gerard J. , Sweep Fred G. J. , van de Loo Fons A. J. , Joosten L. A. B. , Barrera Pilar , van Lent Peter L. E. M. , van den Berg Wim B.
Published: April 2003

Objective

To evaluate Fcγ receptor (FcγR) expression on synovial macrophages from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to determine whether this expression correlates with the production of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐12, and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP‐1). We also sought to determine whether mature macrophages from RA patients express aberrant levels of FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII, and to determine the production of inflammatory mediators after immune complex (IC) stimulation.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was performed on cryostat sections of synovial biopsy specimens obtained from 27 RA patients and 5 controls. FcγR I, II, and III were detected, as well as the proinflammatory mediators IL‐1, TNFα, IL‐12, and MMP‐1. Monocytes were isolated from the blood of 10 RA patients and 10 healthy controls and cultured for 7 days with macrophage colony‐stimulating factor to obtain macrophages. Using fluorescence‐activated cell sorting, the expression of FcγRI, FcγRII, and FcγRIII was determined. On day 7, macrophages were stimulated with heat‐aggregated gamma globulins (HAGGs) for 24 hours. Production of cytokines was measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and production of gelatinases/collagenases was measured by degradation of fluorescent gelatin.

Results

Immunohistochemistry showed higher FcγRII and FcγRIII expression in RA synovium than in controls. FcγRII and FcγRIII, but not FcγRI, were highly correlated with the number of synovial macrophages. Consistent with this, TNFα expression correlated positively with FcγRIII expression. Moreover, MMP‐1 expression strongly correlated with FcγR I, II, and III expression. Mature macrophages from RA patients showed significantly enhanced expression of FcγRII and FcγRIII compared with controls. Twenty‐four hours after stimulation of RA macrophages with HAGGs, significantly higher production of TNFα and gelatinase/collagenase was measured.

Conclusion

RA synovium and mature RA macrophages express significantly elevated levels of FcγRII and FcγRIII, resulting in much higher production of TNFα and gelatinase/collagenase after IC stimulation. These data suggest that disturbed expression of FcγR on mature synovial macrophages is involved in the pathology of RA.
The association of body mass index and osteoarthritis of the knee joint: An examination of genetic and environmental influences
Authors: Manek Nisha J. , Hart Deborah , Spector Timothy D. , MacGregor Alexander J.
Published: April 2003

Objective

To examine the genetic and environmental influences on the known association between body mass index (BMI) and knee osteoarthritis (OA), using adult twin data.

Methods

Bilateral knee radiographs were obtained from 785 pairs of healthy female twins (mean age 54.5 ± 7.8 years) from the St. Thomas' Hospital Adult Twin Registry (261 monozygotic [MZ] and 524 dizygotic [DZ] twin pairs). Tibiofemoral knee OA was graded according to the Kellgren and Lawrence (K/L) scoring system on an ordinal scale of 0–4. Presence of knee OA was defined as a K/L grade of ≥2 on either side of the knee joint. Body weight and height were measured and the subjects were stratified into quartiles of BMI. Cross‐trait cross‐twin association of BMI and knee OA was assessed by logistic regression, to assess whether genetic or environmental influences explain the BMI–knee OA link. The genetic (heritability) and environmental contributions to each of the measures were estimated using path modeling.

Results

A strong association was found between high BMI and the presence of knee OA (odds ratio 3.90 for highest versus lowest quartile of BMI; P = 0.0001). The heritability of knee OA was 50.4% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 34–62%) and that of BMI was 55.7% (95% CI 35–72%). However, cross‐trait cross‐twin associations were not significantly different from unity in either the MZ or DZ twin pairs, indicating that shared genetic influences were unlikely to explain the association. Path modeling showed that the model containing additive genetic factors, common environmental factors, and unique environmental factors had the best fit to the data overall. The shared genetic path between BMI and knee OA could be dropped without deterioration in the fit of the model.

Conclusion

The strong association between high BMI and knee OA is not likely to be mediated by shared genetic factors. The results imply that environmental modification of BMI can influence knee OA.
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae septic arthritis
Authors: Ruiz Maria E. , Richards J. Steuart , Kerr Gail S. , Kan Virginia L.
Published: April 2003

We describe herein the case of a man with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae septic arthritis and possible infective endocarditis. This is the first report in the English‐language medical literature of septic arthritis caused by this organism.
Screening the genome for rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility genes: A replication study and combined analysis of 512 multicase families
Authors: Jawaheer Damini , Seldin Michael F. , Amos Christopher I. , Chen Wei V. , Shigeta Russell , Etzel Carol , Damle Aarti , Xiao Xiangli , Chen Dong , Lum Raymond F. , Monteiro Joanita , Kern Marlene , Criswell Lindsey A. , Albani Salvatore , Nelson J. Lee , Clegg Daniel O. , Pope Richard , Schroeder Harry W. , Bridges S. Louis , Pisetsky David S. , Ward Ryk , Kastner Daniel L. , Wilder Ronald L. , Pincus Theodore , Callahan Leigh F. , Flemming Donald , Wener Mark H. , Gregersen Peter K.
Published: April 2003

Objective

A number of non‐HLA loci that have shown evidence (P < 0.05) for linkage with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been previously identified. The present study attempts to confirm these findings.

Methods

We performed a second genome‐wide screen of 256 new multicase RA families recruited from across the United States by the North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium. Affected sibling pair analysis on the new data set was performed using SIBPAL. We subsequently combined our first and second data sets in an attempt to enhance the evidence for linkages in a larger sample size. We also evaluated the impact of covariates on the support for linkage, using LODPAL.

Results

Evidence of linkage at 1p13 (D1S1631), 6p21.3 (the HLA complex), and 18q21 (D18S858) (P < 0.05) was replicated in this independent data set. In addition, there was new evidence for linkage at 9p22 (D9S1121 [P = 0.001]) and 10q21 (D10S1221 [P = 0.0002] and D10S1225 [P = 0.0038]) in the current data set. The combined analysis of both data sets (512 families) showed evidence for linkage at the level of P < 0.005 at 1p13 (D1S1631), 1q43 (D1S235), 6q21 (D6S2410), 10q21 (D10S1221), 12q12 (D12S398), 17p13 (D17S1298), and 18q21 (D18S858). Linkage at HLA was also confirmed (P < 5 × 10−12). Inclusion of DRB1∗︁04 as a covariate significantly increased the probability of linkage on chromosome 6. In addition, some linkages on chromosome 1 showed improved significance when modeling DRB1∗︁04 or rheumatoid factor positivity as covariates.

Conclusion

These results provide a rational basis for pursuing high‐density linkage and association studies of RA in several regions outside of the HLA region, particularly on chromosomes 1p, 1q, and 18q.
The self‐administered comorbidity questionnaire: A new method to assess comorbidity for clinical and health services research
Authors: Sangha Oliver , Stucki Gerold , Liang Matthew H. , Fossel Anne H. , Katz Jeffrey N.
Published: April 2003

Objective

To develop the Self‐Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire (SCQ) and assess its psychometric properties, including the predictive validity of the instrument, as reflected by its association with health status and health care utilization after 1 year.

Methods

A cross‐sectional comparison of the SCQ with a standard, chart abstraction‐based measure (Charlson Index) was conducted on 170 inpatients from medical and surgical care units. The association of the SCQ with the chart‐based comorbidity instrument and health status (short form 36) was evaluated cross sectionally. The association between these measures and health status and resource utilization was assessed after 1 year.

Results

The Spearman correlation coefficient for the association between the SCQ and the Charlson Index was 0.32. After restricting each measure to include only comparable items, the correlation between measures was stronger (Spearman r = 0.55). The SCQ had modest associations with measures of resource utilization during the index admission, and with health status and resource utilization after 1 year.

Conclusion

The SCQ has modest correlations with a widely used medical record‐based comorbidity instrument, and with subsequent health status and utilization. This new measure represents an efficient method to assess comorbid conditions in clinical and health services research. It will be particularly useful in settings where medical records are unavailable.
Randomized trial of a self‐management program for primary care patients with acute low back pain: Short‐term effects
Authors: Damush Teresa M. , Weinberger Morris , Perkins Susan M. , Rao Jaya K. , Tierney William M. , Qi Rong , Clark Daniel O.
Published: April 2003

Objective

We evaluated the effect of a self‐management program (SMP) on primary care patients with acute low back pain (ALBP) from low income, inner city neighborhood health centers and an emergency department of a public teaching hospital.

Methods

We randomized 211 primary care patients who visited a physician for ALBP (<90 days duration) to usual care or an SMP. The SMP consisted of 3 group sessions and telephone followup that focused on understanding back pain, increasing physical activity, and dealing with fears and frustrations.

Results

Of the eligible patients, 52% expressed interest in participation and 39% of all eligible patients were randomized into the study. Among patients in the treatment group, 28.3% attended at least 1 group class, 62.3% received the intervention by mail, telephone, and audiotapes, and 9.4% received no intervention. Interviewers, blinded to the treatment given, collected data at baseline and at 4 months following randomization. Compared with the control group, the intervention group reported significantly better emotional functioning (P < 0.01), increased self efficacy to manage ALBP (P = 0.03), and less fear of movement (P = 0.05) after 4 months.

Conclusion

This SMP produced short‐term improvements in emotional functioning and self efficacy to manage symptoms among patients with ALBP living in the inner city. However, methods of program delivery other than group classes are needed to reach a greater portion of the inner city patients.
A prospective study of sicca symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Brun Johan G. , Madland Tor Magne , Jonsson Roland
Published: April 2003

Objective

To investigate sicca symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with respect to constancy, temporal changes of prevalence, and possible risk factors.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of 70 patients with RA was conducted over 5 years. The main variables of interest were the 6 questions on sicca symptoms used in the preliminary European criteria for Sjögren's syndrome.

Results

Fourteen patients were lost to followup. We found that 84.2% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 59.5–95.8) of the patients reporting sicca symptoms at baseline also reported them at followup. During the study period, sicca symptoms increased by 52.6% in general (P = 0.02) and by 80.0% for the ocular components (P = 0.04). Sicca symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 8.35, 95% CI 1.91–36.49) and pain (OR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.00–1.07) at baseline were identified as independent predictive factors for sicca symptoms at followup.

Conclusions

Sicca symptoms in patients with RA are remarkably constant over time. There is also a substantial time‐dependent increase in the prevalence of such symptoms. As the prevalence of ocular sicca symptoms in general populations tend to level out with age, there seems to be a disease‐related increase of ocular symptoms over time in patients with RA. Present pain and sicca symptoms constitute risk factors for future sicca symptoms.
Quality of life, social support, and knowledge of disease in women with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Minnock Patricia , Fitzgerald Oliver , Bresnihan Barry
Published: April 2003

Objective

To examine the relationships between the quality of life (QOL) of women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 1) their perceived levels of social support and 2) their primary caregivers' knowledge of RA and its treatment.

Methods

Women aged 40–60 years with established RA completed validated questionnaires on health status (Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2) and satisfaction with the levels of social support from their primary caregiver (Significant Others Scale A). In addition, both the caregivers and patients independently completed questionnaires that were designed to elicit knowledge of RA and its treatment.

Results

Fifty‐eight patients and their primary caregivers completed the questionnaires. Analysis of the patients' health status demonstrated widespread biopsychosocial impairments. Arthritis pain, identified as the poorest health status dimension, was associated with the lowest levels of satisfaction, and received the highest priority for health status improvement. In contrast, the patients reported highest levels of satisfaction with social support from family and friends. Positive associations between social support variables and a number of QOL measures were observed. Both the caregivers and the patients displayed limited knowledge of RA and its treatment. Associations between the levels of knowledge and the patients' QOL measures were not observed.

Conclusion

In this study of women with RA and their caregivers, a limited knowledge of disease did not appear to impact QOL measures. However, failure to detect an association between knowledge of disease and QOL may have been influenced by a combination of the relatively small study numbers and insufficient variation in caregivers' knowledge, such that a floor effect existed.
Detection of viable fungal spores contaminant on documents and rapid control of the effectiveness of an ethylene oxide disinfection using ATP assay
Authors: Rakotonirainy Malalanirina S. , Héraud Cécile , Lavédrine Bertrand
Published: April 2003

Filamentous fungi are able to damage and even destroy archival and library materials. Nowadays the conventional method for detecting such micro‐organisms is to put them in cultures but such methods are laborious and time‐consuming. ATP methodology has been widely applied in other domains and its success on bacteria and yeast has been demonstrated. Several commercial reagent kits are available but they did not give satisfactory results on spores mould. We have elaborated new extraction strategies specific to fungi. A comparison of 42 extraction protocols of ATP from fungal spores was carried out. Extraction at 100°C with DMSO 90% in a Tris–acetate–EDTA buffer proved to be the best method. The viability of cells is estimated by the determination of adenylate energy charge (EC). We applied our method successfully on well‐known species such as Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, Neosartorya fischeri, Eurotium chevalieri, Penicillium chrysogenum, Chaetomium globosum and Ulocladium spp. The results suggest that the ATP bioluminescence assay provides a sensitive and time‐saving method for detecting viable fungal spores. The validity of the procedure was also tested on spores killed by steam and on spores treated with ethylene oxide. We showed that EC determination could be used for a rapid control of the effectiveness of a disinfection process performed with ethylene oxide. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conversion of a racemic mixture of 8‐chloro‐2‐(2,6‐difluorophenylmethyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐3‐methyl‐1,2,5‐benzothiadiazepin‐4(5h)‐one 1,1‐dioxide into a single enantiomer via a chromatographic resolution/racemization method
Authors: La Torre F. , Cirilli R. , Ferretti R. , Gallinella B. , Costi R. , Di Santo R.
Published: April 2003

A simple and efficient strategy to convert the racemic mixture of 8‐chloro‐2‐(2,6‐difluorophenylmethyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐3‐methyl‐1,2,5‐benzothiadiazepin‐4(5H)‐one 1,1‐dioxide, a new anti‐HIV‐1 agent targeted to reverse transcriptase, into the more active (S)‐enantiomer is described. The method utilizes repetition of the following two steps: 1) semipreparative enantioseparation by HPLC on chiral stationary phase; 2) base‐induced racemization of the less active (R)‐enantiomer. Chirality 15:429–432, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deracemization of an axially chiral biphenylic derivative as a tool for investigating chiral recognition in self‐assemblies
Authors: Borocci Stefano , Ceccacci Francesca , Galantini Luciano , Mancini Giovanna , Monti Donato , Scipioni Anita , Venanzi Mariano
Published: April 2003

Two diastereomeric cationic surfactants derived from L‐proline, in which the second chiral center is a quaternary nitrogen, have been separated and fully characterized. The recognition properties of the aggregates formed by the two diastereomeric surfactants have been investigated by circular dichroism and 1H NMR through deracemization of racemic 2‐carboxy‐2′‐dodecyloxy‐6‐nitrobiphenyl. Chirality 15:441–447, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Catecholaminergic systems in the zebrafish. IV. Organization and projection pattern of dopaminergic neurons in the diencephalon
Authors: Ma PoKay M.
Published: April 2003

In the diencephalons of the adult zebrafish brain, all catecholamine‐containing neurons are dopaminergic. The organization and projection pattern of these neurons are studied using tyrosine hydroxylase immunocytochemistry. By their locations, 3 neuronal complexes and 17 cell groups are identified on the bases of their morphology, staining intensity, and projection pattern: 1) the preoptic complex (5 groups); 2) the posterior tuberal complex (4 groups); and 3) the hypothalamic complex (5 groups). In addition, three other groups can be distinguished: one group in the ventral thalamus; one in the pretectal area, and one found in the postoptic commissure and above the pituitary stalk in a few brains. Two dopaminergic pathways are defined: 1) the preoptico‐hypophyseal tract runs in close association with the lateral forebrain bundle along the base of the brain between the preoptic area and the pituitary stalk, and neurons of the preoptic complex are major contributors to this pathway; additional fibers come from the large periventricular organ‐associated neurons of the posterior tuberal; 2) the endohypothalamic tract links neurons of the hypothalamic complex and consists mainly of processes from hypothalamic neurons. Axons from neurons of the suprachiasmatic, periventricular organ‐associated, and posterior tuberal nuclei also join this pathways after entering the hypothalamus. Several groups of neurons contact the cerebrospinal fluid. These appear to be primarily local neurons because none have processes that join the two major pathways. The preoptic area, dorsal thalamus, tuberal and hypothalamic areas, optic tectum, and pituitary are the major targets of diencephalic dopaminergic neurons. The dorsal telencephalon does not receive input from these cells. The large periventricular organ‐accompanying neurons have descending projections beyond the diencephalon and isthmus. Some cells of this group terminate in the crista cerebellaris. A few axons also exit the medulla via a branch of the octavolateralis nerve. J. Comp. Neurol. 460:13–37, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Heterogeneous expression of connexin 36 in the olfactory epithelium and glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb
Authors: Zhang Chunbo , Restrepo Diego
Published: April 2003

Gap junctions regulate a variety of cell functions by directly connecting two cells through intercellular channels. Connexins are gap junction channel‐forming protein subunits. In this study, we studied the expression of connexin 36 (Cx36) in the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb of adult mice. In situ hybridization revealed that mRNA for Cx36 was expressed in the olfactory sensory epithelium, main olfactory bulb and accessory olfactory bulb. Expression of mRNA encoding Cx36 was observed in the olfactory epithelium mainly in ventral and lateral regions of the turbinates. Immunohistochemical determination of Cx36 protein expression showed sparse punctuate staining in the olfactory epithelial layer. Intense Cx36‐like immunostaining was found in the olfactory nerve bundles underlying the olfactory epithelium and in the olfactory nerve layer and glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb. Mapping of the intensity of Cx36‐like immunofluorescence in glomeruli throughout the main olfactory bulb indicated a heterogeneous distribution. A set of approximately 50 glomeruli located in the anterior and posterior limits of the olfactory bulb was more intensely labeled than other glomeruli. There was intense immunofluorescence signal in the glomerular layer of the accessory olfactory bulb and in the vomeronasal nerve. β‐Galactosidase distribution in the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb in Cx36 knockout mice (Deans et al. [2001] Neuron 31:477–485) supported the findings with immunofluorescence. Cx36‐like immunofluorescence was absent in the olfactory nerve bundles in Cx36 knockout mice. The immunolocalization of Cx36 to the olfactory and vomeronasal nerves, and a subset of olfactory glomeruli suggest a functional role for Cx36 in odor coding. J. Comp. Neurol. 459:426–439, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Time‐lapse in vivo imaging of the morphological development of Xenopus optic tectal interneurons
Authors: Wu Gang Yi , Cline Hollis T.
Published: April 2003

Excitatory and inhibitory interneurons play a key role in the establishment of neuronal responses and circuit properties in the brain. Despite their importance in brain function, the structural development of interneurons has not been well studied. We used in vivo time‐lapse imaging in intact anesthetized Xenopus tadpoles to determine the morphological events underlying the development of interneuron dendritic arbor structure. Single optic tectal neurons were labeled with DiI and imaged at daily intervals over 4 days in intact albino Xenopus tadpoles. The same neurons were also imaged at shorter intervals to determine the dynamic rearrangements in arbor branches that accompany large‐scale arbor growth. Tectal interneurons, like projection neurons, develop from neuroepithelial cells located near the ventricular layer. They elaborate complex dendritic arbors over a period of 2 days. Short‐interval time‐lapse images reveal that tectal interneuron arbors have rapid rates of branch additions and retractions. We identified four patterns of interneuron arbor development, based on the cell morphology and types of structural rearrangements that occur over the development of the neuronal arbor. A surprising feature of interneuronal development is the large extent of structural rearrangements: many interneurons extend transient processes so that the neuronal structure is dramatically different from one day to the next. Because the majority of synaptic contacts are formed on dendrites, the structural changes we observed in interneuronal dendritic arbors suggest that optic tectal circuits are extremely plastic during early stages of development. J. Comp. Neurol. 459:392–406, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Removal of polysialic acid induces aberrant pathways, synaptic vesicle distribution, and terminal arborization of retinotectal axons
Authors: El Maarouf Abderrahman , Rutishauser Urs
Published: April 2003

Developing chick retinotectal projections extend rostrally in the superficial stratum opticum of the tectum until they reach their appropriate target zone. They then penetrate, arborize, and form synapses within distinct tectal retinorecipient layers. In this study, we show that the polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule is expressed both on the membrane of these developing projections and in the stratum opticum and retinorecipient layers during the period of optic innervation. On this basis, the role of polysialic acid was analyzed with respect to both trajectory and arborization in the tectum, using confocal imaging of DiI‐labeled retinotectal fibers in whole‐mount tecta of embryos pretreated with a polysialic acid‐specific degrading enzyme, endoneuraminidase N. The removal of polysialic acid caused several distinct abnormalities, including random dorsal/ventral meandering of fibers in the stratum opticum, a distorted branching and extension of arbors in the retinorecipient layers, and inappropriate synaptic vesicle accumulation in pretarget areas. These findings indicate that the unique ability of polysialic acid to regulate different types of cell interactions is an essential component of axon behavior during multiple steps of tectal target innervation. J. Comp. Neurol. 460:203–211, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptor densities in the hippocampus of untreated male rats and females in estrus and diestrus
Authors: Palomero‐Gallagher Nicola , Bidmon Hans‐Jürgen , Zilles Karl
Published: April 2003

Steroid hormones systematically affect numerous neuronal targets, thus influencing, in a permanent or a transitory manner, the way the brain reacts to external and internal stimuli. The hippocampus is an important brain region for learning and memory and the glutamatergic intrahippocampal pathway plays a major role in performing such functions. We applied quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography to examine how the in vivo hormone milieu affects the densities of AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptors in the hippocampus of adult male rats and females in estrus and diestrus. All three examined receptor types presented significant gender‐specific differences in their densities. The hippocampus of male rats contains significantly more AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptors than that of female rats. Female rats in diestrus have significantly higher AMPA receptor densities than female rats in estrus. AMPA changes occurred to the same extent in CA1‐3 and in the dentate gyrus. Significant differences in the densities of NMDA receptors were observed in the CA1‐3 regions, whereas kainate receptor differences were restricted to the CA1 region. These results further support that steroid hormones, through their modulation of AMPA and NMDA receptors, may be involved in the control of synaptic efficacy and, therefore, influence learning and memory. J. Comp. Neurol. 459:468–474, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is there remyelination during aging of the primate central nervous system?
Authors: Peters Alan , Sethares Claire
Published: April 2003

The effect of aging on myelin sheaths in the rhesus monkey was studied in the vertical bundles of nerve fibers that traverse monkey cerebral cortex in primary visual area 17 and prefrontal area 46. As shown previously, with age the internodes of many of these myelin sheaths show structural changes, the most common of which is an accumulation of electron‐dense cytoplasm within some sheaths, a change which is considered to indicate that breakdown of myelin is taking place. Supporting the suggestion that myelin is breaking down with age, astrocytes in the cortices of old monkeys contain phagocytosed myelin and some of the inclusion bodies in astrocytes label with antibodies to myelin basic protein. There is also evidence that remyelination is taking place. Thus, we have found an increase in the frequency of profiles of paranodes when transverse sections of the nerve fibers are examined. The increase in paranodal frequency with age is 57% in area 17 and 90% in area 46. This increase cannot all be attributed to lengthening of paranodes with age, because in area 17 the 11% increase in mean paranodal length with age is insufficient to account for an age‐related increase in paranodal profile frequency. Consequently, there must be an increase in the number of internodal lengths of myelin with age, as would occur if shorter lengths of myelin are produced by remyelination. In support of the proposal that remyelination is occurring, short internodal lengths of myelin have been found in the nerve bundles passing through the cortices of old monkeys and inappropriately thin sheaths occur around some axons. Both of these features are generally considered to be the hallmarks of remyelination. Consequently, it is proposed that in the aging cerebral cortex of the monkey there is some breakdown of internodes of myelin with subsequent remyelination that leads to the formation of some new and shorter internodal lengths of myelin. J. Comp. Neurol. 460:238–254, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Globose basal cells are required for reconstitution of olfactory epithelium after methyl bromide lesion
Authors: Jang Woochan , Youngentob Steven L. , Schwob James E.
Published: April 2003

Despite a remarkable regenerative capacity, recovery of the mammalian olfactory epithelium can fail in severely injured areas, which subsequently reconstitute as aneuronal respiratory epithelium (metaplasia). We contrasted the cellular response of areas of the rat epithelium that recover as olfactory after methyl bromide lesion with those undergoing respiratory metaplasia in order to identify stem cells that restore lesioned epithelium as olfactory. Ventral olfactory epithelium is at particular risk for metaplasia after lesion and patches of it are rendered acellular by methyl bromide exposure. In contrast, globose basal cells (GBCs, marked by staining with GBC‐2) are preserved in surrounding ventral areas and uniformly throughout dorsal epithelium, which consistently and completely recovers as olfactory after lesion. Over the next few days, neurons reappear, but only in those areas in which GBCs are preserved and multiply. In contrast, parts of the epithelium in which GBCs are destroyed are repopulated in part by Bowman's gland cells, which pile up above the basal lamina. Electron microscopy confirms the reciprocity between gland cells and globose basal cells. By 14 days after lesion, the areas that are undergoing metaplasia are repopulated by typical respiratory epithelial cells. As horizontal basal cells are eliminated from all parts of the ventral epithelium, the data suggest that GBC‐2(+) cells are ultimately responsible for regenerating olfactory neuroepithelium. In contrast, GLA‐13(+) cells may give rise to respiratory metaplastic epithelium where GBCs are eliminated. Thus, we support the idea that a subpopulation of GBCs is the neural stem cell of the olfactory epithelium. J. Comp. Neurol. 460:123–140, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Origin of the vertebrate visual cycle: Genes encoding retinal photoisomerase and two putative visual cycle proteins are expressed in whole brain of a primitive chordate
Authors: Nakashima Yuki , Kusakabe Takehiro , Kusakabe Rie , Terakita Akihisa , Shichida Yosinori , Tsuda Motoyuki
Published: April 2003

The absorption of light by rhodopsin leads to the cis‐to‐trans isomerization of the chromophore to generate all‐trans‐retinal. In the visual cycle, the resultant all‐trans‐retinal is converted back into the 11‐cis‐retinal. In the mammalian eye, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays an essential role in the visual cycle. We have identified cDNA clones encoding three putative visual cycle proteins, homologs of mammalian retinal G‐protein‐coupled receptor (RGR), cellular retinaldehyde‐binding protein (CRALBP) and β‐carotene 15,15′‐monooxygenase (BCO)/RPE65 in a primitive chordate, ascidian Ciona intestinalis. The mRNAs for these proteins are specifically expressed in the central nervous system during embryonic development. In the larva, the transcripts were widely distributed in the brain vesicle and visceral ganglion. Since visual pigment, Ci‐opsin1, is solely expressed in photoreceptor cells, the visual cycle in this primitive chordate may take place in two compartments, which are coupled into a cycle by the direct flow of retinoids though the intercellular matrix. The Ci‐opsin3, an ascidian homolog of mammalian RGR, was expressed in HEK 293S cells and purified after binding of retinal. The chromophore of Ci‐opsin3 is in an all‐trans‐retinal and it is isomerized to an 11‐cis‐form upon absorption of light. Mammalian CRALBP and BCO/RPE65 are believed to play critical roles in the process of reisomerization of all‐trans‐retinoid to 11‐cis‐retinoid in RPE. The present data suggest that isomerization of all‐trans‐retinoid to 11‐cis‐retinoid occurs in the brain vesicle and visceral ganglion of a primitive chordate. J. Comp. Neurol. 460:180–190, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.