bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why does Viola hondoensis (Violaceae) shed its winter leaves in spring?
Authors: Hikosaka Kouki , Kawauchi Yoshie , Kurosawa Takahide 
Published: November 2010

• Premise of the study: Viola hondoensis is a perennial herb that inhabits the understory of temperate, deciduous forests. It is an evergreen plant with a leaf life span that is shorter than a year. Its summer leaves are produced in spring and shed in autumn; winter leaves are produced in autumn and shed in spring. Here we asked why the plant sheds its winter leaves in spring, though climate conditions improve from spring to summer. We proposed four hypotheses for the cause of shedding: (1) changes in seasonal environment such as day length or air temperature, (2) shading by canopy deciduous trees, (3) self‐shading by taller summer leaves, and (4) competition for nutrients between summer and winter leaves.• Methods: To test these hypotheses, we manipulated the environment of winter leaves: (1) plants were transplanted to the open site where there was no shading by canopy trees. (2) Petioles of summer leaves were anchored to the soil surface to avoid shading of winter leaves. (3) Sink organs were removed to eliminate nutrient competition.• Key results: Longevity of winter leaves was extended when shading by summer leaves was eliminated and when sink organs were removed, but not when plants were transplanted to the open site.• Conclusion: We conclude that the relative difference in light availability between summer and winter leaves is a critical factor for regulation of leaf shedding, consistent with the theory of maximization of the whole‐plant photosynthesis.
Fruits and foliage of Pueraria (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) from the Neogene of Eurasia and their biogeographic implications
Authors: Wang Qi , Manchester Steven R. , Dilcher David L. 
Published: November 2010

• Premise of the study: Pueraria (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) is native in East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania and is well known as a rampant invasive weed in the southeastern United States (P. montana; better known as kudzu), but relatively little is known about its early evolution and biogeographic origin.• Methods: On the basis of comparative analyses of the fruit and leaflet architecture of closely related extant and fossil taxa, we studied the fossil history and biogeography of Pueraria.• Key results: Fossil Pueraria is recognized on the basis of distinctive fruit and foliage from the Mio‐Pliocene of middle latitudes in China, Japan, Abkhazia, and Croatia. Recognition of P. miothunbergiana from the Mio‐Pliocene of China and Japan is reinforced by a trifoliolate leaf as well as isolated lateral and terminal leaflets. Pueraria shanwangensis sp. nov. represents the first recognition of fossil Pueraria fruits. This fruit species co‐occurs with P. miothunbergiana in the Middle Miocene Shanwang flora and possibly represents the same population. Pueraria maxima (Unger) comb. nov., previously named as Dolichites maximus or Desmodium maximum, is recognized on the basis of leaflets from the Miocene of Croatia and Abkhazia. Other prior fossil reports of Pueraria and Dolichites are reevaluated.• Conclusions: Pueraria had begun to diversify by at least the Middle Miocene and had spread into the Mio‐Pliocene subtropical and temperate floras of the Balkan Peninsula, the Caucasus, and eastern Asia, which suggests the present diversity of this genus in tropical Asia and Oceania might have originated from the mid‐latitudes of Eurasia.
ERAP1Is Associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis in Han Chinese
Authors: LI CHAO , LIN ZHIMING , XIE YINGYING , GUO ZISHI , HUANG JINXIAN , WEI QIUJING , LI QIU XIA , WANG XINWEI , CAO SHUANGYAN , LIAO ZETAO , XU MANLONG , SHEN YAN , GU JIERUO 
Published: November 2010

Objective.Genetic components play important roles in the incidence and development of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Aminopeptidase regulator of tumor necrosis factor receptor shedding 1 (ERAP1) was recently found to be associated with AS in North American and British cohorts. We evaluated whetherERAP1is associated with AS in a Chinese Han population.Methods.A sample of 50 patients and 50 healthy controls was recruited for preliminary screening for informative single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). Then 6 SNP of suggestive significance in the initial screening were followed up in a large sample of 471 patients with AS and 456 ethnically matched controls. Diagnosis of AS followed the 1984 modified New York criteria. Linkage disequilibrium coefficient (D’ and r2) and haplotypes were estimated by Haploview.Result.Two SNP (rs27434, p = 0.00039, and rs27529, p = 0.0083) inERAP1other than that reported previously were found to be significantly associated with AS. Haplotype analysis using 5 SNP within 1 linkage disequilibrium block identified 2 risk haplotypes (GATGT and GACGT) and 1 protective haplotype (GGTGT) for AS.Conclusion.Our study demonstrated that 2 novel SNP inERAP1were associated with AS in the Han Chinese population, suggesting thatERAP1might confer genetic risk for AS in Han Chinese through the common mechanism shared by different populations, although the AS-associated SNP inERAP1might be population-specific.
Pediatric Behçet’s Disease and Thromboses
Authors: KRUPA BRICE , CIMAZ ROLANDO , OZEN SEZA , FISCHBACH MICHEL , COCHAT PIERRE , KONÉ-PAUT ISABELLE 
Published: November 2010

Objective.To describe the characteristics of a group of pediatric patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) who presented at least 1 episode of thrombosis during their disease course.Methods.We made a retrospective chart review of the clinical, biological, and radiological data of children with BD who presented at least 1 episode of either arterial or venous thrombosis. Data were extracted from both an international pediatric Behçet cohort and files referred from 7 French centers.Results.Twenty-one patients were included. Diagnosis of BD was based on the criteria of the International Study Group for BD. Main locations for thrombosis were the cerebral sinuses, in 11 patients (52.4%); and lower limbs, in 9 patients (40.9%). Recurrent episodes were observed in 4 patients (21%). Thrombophilia measurements were normal in 14 patients out of 21, while anticardiolipin antibodies were positive in 4 patients, and 2 out of 21 had protein C deficiency. One patient had lupus anticoagulant. All patients were treated with colchicine. Corticosteroids were also added for variable periods in 13 patients. Five patients out of 21 were treated with anticoagulants (heparin, then anti-vitamin K) and 3 with antiplatelets (acetylsalicylic acid).Conclusion.Thromboses are a serious complication of BD and may occur early in the disease course. The presence of thrombophilic markers could increase the risk of thrombosis in BD, but the size of our population does not allow any conclusion. An international cohort (PED-BD) is currently in place and will allow study of such cases longitudinally, as well as assessment of the elements that correlate with an increased risk of thrombosis in children with BD.
A New Presentation of Neonatal Lupus: 5 Cases of Isolated Mild Endocardial Fibroelastosis Associated with Maternal Anti-SSA/Ro and Anti-SSB/La Antibodies
Authors: GUETTROT-IMBERT GAËLLE , COHEN LAURENCE , FERMONT LAURENT , VILLAIN ELISABETH , FRANCÈS CAMILLE , THIEBAUGEORGES OLIVIER , FOLIGUET BERNARD , LEROUX GAËLLE , CACOUB PATRICE , AMOURA ZAHIR , PIETTE JEAN-CHARLES , COSTEDOAT-CHALUMEAU NATHALIE 
Published: November 2010

Objective.Maternal anti-SSA/Ro or anti-SSB/La antibodies are associated with neonatal lupus erythematosus syndrome (NLES), especially congenital heart block (CHB), which may be associated with severe endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A few reports have described severe EFE without CHB associated with anti-SSA/Ro antibodies, with a poor prognosis. EFE has also been observed in biopsies of DCM that had been considered idiopathic. These points, considered in association with 5 unusual cases of mild EFE, led us to consider the relationship between underrecognized cases of isolated autoantibody-associated EFE and DCM that had been considered idiopathic.Methods.We analyzed 5 cases of EFE diagnosed in utero (n = 4) or after birth (n = 1). In 3 cases, maternal antibody status was discovered because of the EFE diagnosis.Results.Endomyocardial hyperechogenicity predominated in the left atrium (n = 3) and mitral annulus (n = 3). No left-heart dysfunction was observed. Two mothers were treated with betamethasone. One mother chose to have a therapeutic abortion, and EFE was confirmed at autopsy. Electrocardiograms at birth (n = 4) did not show CHB. Other manifestations of NLES were present in all cases. One child had right ventricular hypoplasia and underwent a partial cavopulmonary anastomosis. At last followup (4–7 yrs), the other 3 children had normal heart function, and echocardiography showed a normal heart (n = 2) or mild persistent EFE (n = 1).Conclusion.Middle-term prognosis of isolated autoantibody-associated EFE may be better than previously reported, although the longterm prognosis remains unknown. We hypothesize that a fetal insult can lead to DCM.
Use of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs: Is There a Change in Patient Risk Profile After Withdrawal of Rofecoxib?
Authors: RAHME ELHAM , ROUSSY JEAN-PASCAL , LAFRANCE JEAN-PHILIPPE , NEDJAR HACENE , MORIN SUZANNE 
Published: November 2010

Objective.Use of traditional nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (tNSAID) increased after rofecoxib withdrawal. tNSAID use is associated with increased gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity and cardiovascular (CV) risk similar to celecoxib. The objective of our study was to describe changes in celecoxib and tNSAID use regarding GI and CV risk and congestive heart failure (CHF) and renal risk that occurred in Quebec, Canada, between April 2005–March 2007 (the post-period) compared to April 2002–March 2004 (the pre-period).Methods.Data were obtained from the provincial health insurance agency. All NSAID users ≥ 50 years of age were considered.Results.Celecoxib use decreased by 23% (coxib 61%) while that of tNSAID doubled. In both periods, celecoxib users were older and included more women, and they suffered more frequently from arthritis. Users of celecoxib were more likely to have higher level of GI risk: post-period odds ratios compared to low GI risk, very high 1.79 (95% CI 1.63, 1.97), high 1.76 (95% CI 1.71, 1.81), and moderate 1.30 (95% CI 1.27, 1.33); similar results were observed in the pre-period. Celecoxib users had higher CV risk levels in the pre-period: OR compared to low CV risk, very high 1.13 (95% CI 1.08, 1.19), high 1.24 (95% CI 1.20, 1.29), and moderate 1.16 (95% CI 1.14, 1.19); and in the post-period, very high 0.85 (95% CI 0.81, 0.89), high 1.13 (95% CI 1.10, 1.16), and moderate 1.15 (95% CI 1.12, 1.17). CHF and renal risk factors did not play an important role in the choice of NSAID in either period.Conclusion.Current NSAID use differs from that prior to 2004. Coxib utilization decreased substantially and patients at high CV risk seem less likely to receive celecoxib, while those at high GI risk seem more likely to receive it.
Disease Phenotypes and Gender Association of FCRL3 Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism −169T/C in Taiwanese Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: CHEN JI-YIH , WANG CHIN-MAN , WU YEONG-JIAN JAN , KUO SHIN-NING , SHIU CHIUNG-FANG , CHANG SU-WEI , LIN YEN-TSUN , HO HUEI-HUANG , WU JIANMING 
Published: November 2010

Objective.To investigate the association of the functional FCRL3 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) −169T/C with disease phenotypes and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Taiwanese.Methods.FCRL3 SNP −169T/C was genotyped in 573 patients with SLE, 670 patients with RA, and 758 controls. Genotype distributions and allele frequencies were compared among the 3 groups as aggregates or as stratified by clinical characteristics, autoantibody profile, and sex within patient groups.Results.Overall, FCRL3 SNP −169T/C was not associated with susceptibility to either SLE or RA. However, −169CC genotype was significantly reduced in leukopenia-positive SLE patients as compared to the leukopenia-negative SLE patients (CC vs CT+TT, p = 6 × 10−4, OR 0.444, 95% CI 0.279–0.708) and controls (p = 6.1 × 10−3, OR 0.583, 95% CI 0.396–0.857). On the other hand, −169TT genotypes were significantly more numerous in RA patients with non-destructive disease as compared with patients with destructive disease (CC+CT vs TT: p = 0.007, OR 1.672, 95% CI 1.149–2.432). The −169T allele frequency was also significantly increased in non-destructive RA compared with patients with destructive disease (C vs T: p = 0.010, OR 1.423, 95% CI 1.089–1.859). FCRL3 SNP −169TT homozygous donors were significantly more numerous among female cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP)-negative RA patients versus female CCP-positive RA patients (CC+CT vs TT: p = 0.019, OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.085–2.479).Conclusion.The functional FCRL3 SNP −169T/C appears to play important roles in the development of certain phenotypes such as SLE leukopenia and RA disease severity in Taiwanese patients with SLE and RA.
Effect of Sociodemographic Factors on Surgical Consultations and Hip or Knee Replacements Among Patients with Osteoarthritis in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: RAHMAN M. MUSHFIQUR , KOPEC JACEK A. , SAYRE ERIC C. , GREIDANUS NELSON V. , AGHAJANIAN JAAFAR , ANIS ASLAM H. , CIBERE JOLANDA , JORDAN JOANNE M. , BADLEY ELIZABETH M. 
Published: November 2010

Objective.To quantify the effect of demographic variables and socioeconomic status (SES) on surgical consultation and total joint arthroplasty (TJA) rates among patients with osteoarthritis (OA), using population-based administrative data.Methods.A cohort study was conducted in British Columbia using population data from 1991 to 2004. From April 1996 to March 1998, we documented 34,420 new patients with OA and these patients were followed to March 2004 for their first surgical consultation and TJA. Effects of age, sex, and SES were evaluated by Cox proportional hazards models after adjusting for comorbidities and pain medication used.Results.During a mean 5.5-year followup period, 7475 patients with OA had their first surgical consultations and 2814 patients received TJA within a 6-year mean followup period. Crude hazards ratio (HR) for men compared to women was 1.25 (95% CI 1.20–1.31) for surgical consultation and was 1.14 (95% CI 1.06–1.23) for TJA. The interaction between sex and SES was significant. Stratified analysis showed among men an HR of 1.42 (95% CI 1.27–1.58) and 1.52 (95% CI 1.26–1.83) for surgical consultations and TJA, respectively, for the highest SES compared with the lowest SES quintiles. Similarly significant results were observed among women.Conclusion.Differential access to the healthcare system exists among patients with OA. Women with OA were less likely than men to see an orthopedic surgeon as well as to obtain TJA. Patients with higher SES consulted orthopedic surgeons more frequently and received more TJA than those with the lowest SES.
Low Body Mass Index Is Adversely Associated with Radiographic Joint Damage in Indian Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: VELPULA UMA D. , AGRAWAL SUMEET , THOMAS JOE , PRABU V.N. NAGA , RAJASEKHAR LIZA , NARSIMULU GUMDAL 
Published: November 2010

Objective.Various factors affect joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The influence of body mass index (BMI) is not adequately known. As BMI is potentially modifiable, we studied its influence on radiological joint damage in patients with RA.Methods.Treatment-naive patients with early RA (< 24 mo) were included. Demographic data were collected along with swollen joint count (SJC), tender joint count (TJC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and IgM-rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF). Radiographs of hands and feet were obtained. BMI and Disease Activity Score for 28-joint count (DAS28-ESR) were calculated. Joint damage was assessed using the Simplified Erosions Narrowing Score (SENS).Results.A total of 101 patients were studied (81 women; mean age 41.91 ± 11.99 yrs). Mean disease duration was 10.77 ± 6.73 months; 55 patients (54.5%) were IgM-RF-positive. Mean BMI was 22.82 ± 4.66 kg/m2with 24 (23.8%) patients having low, 42 (41.6%) normal, and 35 (34.7%) high BMI. Mean SENS score was 16.81 ± 11.10; mean DAS28 was 6.23 ± 0.96. Significant correlation was noted between SENS and DAS28 (r = 0.28; p < 0.005). There was significant negative correlation between BMI and SENS (r = −0.509; p < 0.0005). In patients with low BMI, mean SENS (26.62 ± 13.45) was significantly higher than in patients with normal (15.88 ± 8.38; p < 0.001) and high BMI (11.20 ± 7.32; p < 0.001). Patients with normal BMI also had significantly higher SENS scores than those with high BMI (p < 0.05). One-way ANOVA did not reveal significant differences in DAS28 between groups. SENS was significantly higher in the IgM-RF-positive group (19.55 ± 11.36) than in the IgM-RF-negative group (13.54 ± 9.94; p < 0.01); DAS28 was not different between the 2 groups (6.22 ± 0.98 vs 6.26 ± 0.96, respectively). Within the 2 IgM-RF groups, a significant negative correlation was seen between BMI and SENS. Multiple regression analysis revealed RF, DAS28, and BMI were independently associated with SENS. BMI accounted for 23.04% of the variance in SENS independent of DAS28 and IgM-RF.Conclusion.Low BMI is adversely associated with joint damage in patients with early RA.
Cardiovascular Disease Is Related to Hypertension in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Greek Cohort Study
Authors: SERELIS JOHN , PANAGIOTAKOS DEMOSTHENES B. , MAVROMMATI MARIA , SKOPOULI FOTINI N. 
Published: November 2010

Objective.To evaluate the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Greek patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) under medical followup, and to assess the contribution of traditional CVD and RA-specific factors associated with CVD development.Methods.This is a historic cohort study; information was collected from medical records of patients who had > 2 years’ followup. Sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic variables were evaluated for association with development of CVD.Results.A total of 325 RA patients were studied: 250 women, mean age at RA onset 44 ± 15 years, and 75 men, mean age at RA onset 51 ± 15 years; median followup was 10 years. Fourteen women (5.6%) and 12 men (16%) developed CVD (p = 0.004). Multi-adjusted analysis revealed that hypertension (hazard ratio 3.76, 95% CI 0.99–15.06) was associated with incidence of CVD; late age at disease onset (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.04–1.11), elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level 1 year after start of followup (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00–1.05), and leflunomide treatment (HR per 1 year of treatment = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.05) were also positively associated with CVD development.Conclusion.Hypertension was an important risk factor for CVD development in patients with RA. Late RA onset and inadequate early control of disease activity (as attested by CRP) remain additional risk factors. Leflunomide treatment may have a contributing effect. Early and effective treatment of RA and strict control of hypertension may modify the burden of CVD in RA patients.
Optimal Frequency of Visits for Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus to Measure Disease Activity Over Time
Authors: IBAÑEZ DOMINIQUE , GLADMAN DAFNA D. , TOUMA ZAHI , NIKPOUR MANDANA , UROWITZ MURRAY B. 
Published: November 2010

Objective.Adjusted mean Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI; AMS) measures lupus disease activity over time. Our aim was to determine optimal visit frequency for calculating AMS.Methods.Patients followed monthly for 12 consecutive visits were included. AMS was calculated using all of the SLEDAI 2000 (AMSGOLD using all 12 visits), only quarterly visits (AMS3, using visits 3 months apart), semiannual visits (AMS6, using first, middle, and last visits only), and annual visits (AMS12, using only the first and last visits). Comparisons of AMS3, AMS6, and AMS12 with AMSGOLD are made using descriptive statistics.Results.Seventy-eight patients were included (92% women, mean age at SLE diagnosis 30.1 yrs and at study start 46.2 yrs). The mean (SD) AMSGOLD for the entire year was 2.05 (1.66), for AMS3 1.99 (1.65), for AMS6 2.12 (1.87), and for AMS12 2.08 (1.83). Mean (SD) of the absolute differences with AMSGOLD: for AMS3 0.29 (0.33), for AMS6 0.45 (0.59), and for AMS12 0.61 (0.58). Differences that were < 0.5 were considered minimal while those ≥ 1 were deemed important. Comparing AMSGOLD to AMS3, 82% of the differences were minimal and 3% were important. When comparing to AMS6, 68% were minimal and 10% were important, while comparing to AMS12, 50% were minimal and 21% were important.Conclusion.Usual clinic visits occurring quarterly offer a good estimation of disease activity over a 1-year period and are preferred over semiannual and annual visits.
Quantification of Cells Expressing Mesenchymal Stem Cell Markers in Healthy and Osteoarthritic Synovial Membranes
Authors: HERMIDA-GÓMEZ TAMARA , FUENTES-BOQUETE ISAAC , GIMENO-LONGAS MARIA JOSÉ , MUIÑOS-LÓPEZ EMMA , DÍAZ-PRADO SILVIA , de TORO FRANCISCO JAVIER , BLANCO FRANCISCO JAVIER 
Published: November 2010

Objective.To quantify cells expressing mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers in synovial membranes from human osteoarthritic (OA) and healthy joints.Methods.Synovial membranes from OA and healthy joints were digested with collagenase and the isolated cells were cultured. Synovial membrane-derived cells were phenotypically characterized for differentiation experiments using flow cytometry to detect the expression of mesenchymal markers (CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD117, CD166, and STRO-1) and hematopoietic markers (CD34 and CD45). Chondrogenesis was assessed by staining for proteoglycans and collagen type II, adipogenesis by using a stain for lipids, and osteogenesis by detecting calcium deposits. Coexpression of CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105 was determined using immunofluorescence.Results.Cells expressing MSC markers were diffusely distributed in OA synovial membranes; in healthy synovial membrane these cells were localized in the subintimal zone. More numerous MSC markers in OA synovial membranes were observed in cells also expressing the CD90 antigen. FACS analysis showed that more than 90% of OA synovial membrane-derived cells were positive for CD44, CD73, and CD90, and negative for CD34 and CD45. OA synovial membrane-derived cells were also positive for CD29 (85.23%), CD117 (72.35%), CD105 (45.5%), and STRO-1 (49.46%). Micropellet analyses showed that the culture of cells with transforming growth factor-ß3 stimulated proteoglycan and collagen type II synthesis.Conclusion.Synovial membranes from patients with OA contain more cells positive for CD44, CD90, and CD105 antigens than those from joints with undamaged cartilage.