bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rheumatology in Iran
Authors: DAVATCHI Fereydoun 
Published: November 2009

AbstractRheumatology in Iran started in the 1960s by a group of eight rheumatologists trained in France and Switzerland. The Iranian Rheumatology Society was founded in 1973. Academic rheumatology started in the city of Teheran (capital of Iran), by the Tehran University and by the National University in the ’60s. Later, Shiraz University and Mashhad University followed. After the creation of the subspecialty Board of Rheumatology in 1985, other universities graduallycreated their rheumatology sections with the help of newly trained rheumatologists. The first subspecialty rheumatology outpatient clinic was created in 1970, in Tehran. In 1973, rheumatology was recognized as an internal medicine subspecialty for the training of medical students. Thus, one‐eighth of internal medicine training was allocated to rheumatology. The subspecialty Rheumatology National Board was created in 1985. Four medical universities were approved for the training of rheumatology fellows. They were Tehran University, Beheshti University, Iran University, and Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. From 1985 to 2008, more than 150 rheumatologists got their Board of Rheumatology subspecialty. Thirty‐seven medical universities in Iran have a rheumatology section. The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in people aged 15 years and over, is 41.9% in urban areas and 66.6% in rural areas (P < 0.001). Two major ethnicities live in Iran; Caucasians (71.4%) and Turks (23.1%). Musculoskeletal complaints are more frequent in Turks than in Caucasians (46%vs.40.8%, P < 0.001). Men complained less than women in urban areas: 34.1% versus 50.2% (P < 0.001). The same was seen in rural areas: 51.6% versus 72.4% (P < 0.001). The most frequent complaints were (urban vs. rural): knee (25.5%vs. 39.2%), dorsolumbar spine (21.7%vs. 41.9%), shoulder (14.5%vs. 22.7%), and cervical spine (13.4%vs. 17.9%). The distribution of mechanical diseases was: low back pain (15.4%vs. 23.4%), osteoarthritis (16.6%vs. 20.5%), and soft tissue rheumatism (4.6%vs. 2.2%). The distribution of inflammatory diseases was: rheumatoid arthritis (0.33%vs. 0.19%), seronegative spondylarthropathies (0.23%vs. 1.1%), and systemic lupus erythematosus (0.04%vs. 0.06).
Fcγ receptor biology and systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: JOVANOVIC Vojislav , DAI Xilei , LIM Yan Ting , KEMENY David M. , MacARY Paul A. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe maintenance of immune homeostasis and the regulation of pro‐inflammatory responses that underlie autoimmune pathology require a coordinated interplay between cytokines, cellular receptors and downstream signaling pathways. The family of fragment crystallizable receptors for immunoglobulin G (IgG) (FcγR) represents a good example of how controlling the simultaneous triggering of activatory and/or inhibitory receptors results in a balanced immune response. FcγRs play a crucial role in linking the antibody‐mediated recognition of pathogens, allergens or auto‐antigens to the cellular arm of the immune response. In this review, we detail how dysfunction in FcγR pathways is linked to the development of the autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus.
Rheumatological medicine literacy among Middle Eastern populations
Authors: ELEISHI Hatem H. , ALLISON Barbara D. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground:  It has been observed for years that many Middle Eastern patients with autoimmune rheumatic disorders, are more likely to be delayed in seeing a rheumatologist for their symptoms and that the rheumatology services are in general under‐utilized by the population.Aim:  To explore if patients with autoimmune rheumatic disorders were truly delayed in seeing rheumatologists and to explore the possible reasons for that delay should any delay be documented.Subjects and methods:  Patients suffering from chronic autoimmune rheumatic disorders were interviewed and were asked to answer a questionnaire that assesses their initial set of actions when they had their first symptoms of disease, how much time they took to see a rheumatologist and their background knowledge about rheumatology as a specialty before and after they saw a rheumatologist.Results:  Seventy‐eight patients, 57 (73%) females and 21 (27%) males were included in this study. Their ages ranged from 11 to 72 years with a mean of 38.9 ± 13 years. Patients’ explanations for their initial symptoms were ‘evil eye doing’, disease, exertion, cold weather and trauma in 44%, 37%, 20%, 16% and 8% respectively. Ninety‐six percent of patients had to make a total of 166 consultations first at other specialties before they were finally advised or directed to see a rheumatologist. Non‐rheumatologist referrals to rheumatologists happened in only 33% of the time. The duration from the onset of the disease until patients finally came to see a rheumatologist ranged from 0.5 weeks to 432 weeks with a mean of 51 ± 88 weeks.Conclusions:  General health literacy and knowledge of the rheumatology scope of service is extremely limited among Middle Eastern patients. Most patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases make their initial consultations at clinics other than rheumatology clinics and non‐rheumatologists have been shown to consistently not refer patients with rheumatic diseases to rheumatologists. Wrong diagnosis is attributed to rheumatology symptoms by non‐rheumatologists 82% of the time. Level of education of patients, has no impact on their choice of the right specialty to be consulted for their disease symptoms.
A rare case of Paget’s disease of the bone in the Philippines
Authors: MADERAZO Esther , LI‐YU Julie 
Published: November 2009

AbstractA 40‐year‐old Filipina presented with a 2‐year history of progressive bilateral inguinal and hip pain with limited range of motion. She had a bad fall which led to widespread body pains for 6 months partially relieved on multiple analgesic and anti‐inflammatory agents. There was progressive weight loss and anemia. Focused musculoskeletal examination revealed moderate degree of generalized muscle atrophy, pain‐limited range of motion of bilateral hip and shoulder joints, with equivocal muscle strength of both proximal and distal muscle groups of all extremities. Metastatic bone disease was ruled out when skeletal survey disclosed mixture of osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions, predominantly osteoblastic, on multiple sites. Bone turnover markers were elevated. Bone biopsy revealed histopathologic results compatible with Paget’s disease of the bone. Management included oral calcium and vitamin D supplement followed by parenteral zoledronic acid, and a rehabilitation program. Four months after bisphosphonate therapy, the patient reported significant relief of symptoms with complete resolution of the previously noted generalized body pains, although she ambulates with use of an assistive device. Due to the rarity of the condition among Filipinos, this case was a diagnostic dilemma in itself, as it is most likely the first published case in the Philippine literature.
Pulmonary amyloidosis in Sjögren’s syndrome: a rare diagnosis for nodular lung lesions
Authors: RODRIGUES Kenia , NEVES Fabricio S. , STOETERAU Karin B. L. , WERNER CASTRO Gláucio R. , NOBRE Luiz F. , ZIMMERMANN Adriana F. , PEREIRA Ivânio A. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractLung involvement in Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) can affect trachea, bronchus, small airways, pleura and may cause interstitial lung injury. It may also be associated with malignancies, particularly non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a well‐recognized complication of this disease. Here we describe the occurrence of localized amyloidosis presenting as pulmonary nodules in a patient with newly diagnosed SS. We highlight this rare occurrence as a diagnostic possibility that should be considered in the evaluation of pulmonary involvement in this disease.
Skin, muscle and joint disease from the 17th century: scurvy
Authors: LAU Herman , MASSASSO David , JOSHUA Fredrick 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWe report three cases of scurvy, with differing musculoskeletal presentations, from a tertiary teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia. Case 1 was a man with cerebral palsy who presented with knee swelling following a minor injury. In Case 2, a patient with thalassaemia major presented with purpuric rash, difficulty walking and distal thigh swelling and ecchymosis. Case 3 was a man with Down’s syndrome who presented with acute ankle arthritis. Scurvy in Cases 1 and 3 were related to abnormal dietary preferences, whereas in Case 2, scurvy was thought to be related to thalassaemia. All three cases responded rapidly to vitamin C replacement. The subjects did not appear malnourished as they had adequate carbohydrate and protein intake.
The China rheumatology workforce: a status report
Authors: ZHANG Fengchun 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis article aims to provide an accurate database of the rheumatology workforce in mainland China. A face‐to‐face survey was conducted in 2007 using a custom‐designed questionnaire that included demographic information, educational background, training history, professional rank, years of working experience within the specialty, and workload. Potential rheumatology practitioners were identified by provincial rheumatology associations. The survey identified a total of 2216 rheumatologists. Seventy percent of the entire workforce had ≤ 10 years of working experience. The number of male and female rheumatologists was equal, at ages of 41 years and above. At ≤ 40 years of age, female rheumatologists predominated at 63%. The national rheumatologist density was 1.67 per million population. The rheumatology workforce in China is relatively young, indicating a rapid expansion. However, the supply of rheumatologists is still significantly below the demand level.
Salmonella infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case series
Authors: GERONA Jovie G. , NAVARRA Sandra V. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractBackground:  Systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) patients are highly susceptible to infections.Aim:  We aim to present our experience regarding the manifestations and outcomes of Salmonella infections in a group of Filipino SLE patients.Methods:  This study reviewed the medical records of Filipino SLE patients with documented Salmonella infection seen at the Rheumatology Clinics of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Hospital, Manila, Philippines from 2002 to 2009.Results:  Included were 12 patients (11 female), with mean age of 25.75 years (range 11–53 years) and average SLE disease duration 4.45 years to Salmonella infection. Five had septic arthritis (knee in 4, hip in 1), one of whom had concomitant typhoid fever. Another two patients had typhoid fever only. Sepsis syndrome was noted in three. One patient each had soft tissue abscess and meningitis. Salmonella typhi was isolated in seven patients, Salmonella sp. in four, and S. enteritidis in one patient. Two patients developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), another had mixed Salmonella and Klebsiella pneumonia. Eleven patients were on high‐dose steroids for active disease, including one patient with antecedent first infusion of cyclophosphamide plus rituximab. Management consisted of antimicrobials and adjunct surgery for arthritis and abscess. Except for three patients with Salmonella sepsis, all other patients improved with appropriate therapy.
Rheumatologic services in Central Asian countries: current state of development of rheumatology in Central Asia
Authors: OMURZAKOVA Nazgul A. , YAMANO Yoshihisa , SAATOVA Guli M. , SHUKUROVA Surayo M. , MIRZAKHANOVA Mavliuda I. , KYDYRALIEVA Ryskul B. , JUMAGULOVA Aynagul S. , MIRRAKHIMOV Erkin M. , SEISENBAEV Askar Sh. , NISHIOKA Kusuki , NAKAJIMA Toshihiro 
Published: November 2009

AbstractRheumatologic and public health services of Central Asias republics have suffered hugely as a result of social and economic declines following the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and transition of these republics to market economies. Between 1990 and 2000 there was a mass outflow of highly skilled rheumatologists and teachers and researchers in rheumatology to countries abroad, leading to significant deprivation of rheumatological service in Central Asian countries. During this time, there was continued growth of various rheumatic diseases (RDs) including rheumatic fever, and musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders. The medical and social burden of RDs imposed on society was strongly underestimated until recent times. There is an urgent need to define the epidemiology of RDs and their impact on the quality of life of people afflicted by these conditions, and to improve the diagnostics and treatment of these conditions.
Regular and residual Eisenstein series and the automorphic cohomology of Sp(2,2)
Authors: Grobner Harald 
Published: November 2009

AbstractLetGbe the simple algebraic group Sp(2,2), to be defined over ℚ. It is a non-quasi-split, ℚ-rank-two inner form of the split symplectic group Sp8of rank four. The cohomology of the space of automorphic forms onGhas a natural subspace, which is spanned by classes represented by residues and derivatives of cuspidal Eisenstein series. It is called Eisenstein cohomology. In this paper we give a detailed description of the Eisenstein cohomologyHqEis(G,E) ofGin the case of regular coefficientsE. It is spanned only by holomorphic Eisenstein series. For non-regular coefficientsEwe really have to detect the poles of our Eisenstein series. SinceGis not quasi-split, we are out of the scope of the so-called ‘Langlands–Shahidi method’ (cf. F. Shahidi,On certainL-functions, Amer. J. Math.103(1981), 297–355; F. Shahidi,On the Ramanujan conjecture and finiteness of poles for certainL-functions, Ann. of Math. (2)127(1988), 547–584). We apply recent results of Grbac in order to find the double poles of Eisenstein series attached to the minimal parabolicP0ofG. Having collected this information, we determine the square-integrable Eisenstein cohomology supported byP0with respect to arbitrary coefficients and prove a vanishing result. This will exemplify a general theorem we prove in this paper on the distribution of maximally residual Eisenstein cohomology classes.
Size and effect on the mean flow of large-scale horizontal coherent structures in open-channel flows: an experimental studyThis paper is one of a selection of papers in this Special Issue in honour of Professor M. Selim Yalin (1925–2007).
Authors: Ferreira da Silva Ana Maria , Ahmari Habib 
Published: November 2009

The size of the largest horizontal coherent structures (HCSs) of turbulence in open-channel flows is investigated experimentally on the basis of three series of flow velocity measurements. These are further used to explore the dynamics and morphological consequences of HCSs. The flow velocity measurements were carried out in a 21 m long and 1 m wide channel, with a bed formed by sand with average grain size of 2 mm. The bed surface was flat. The turbulent and subcritical flow under investigation was uniform, with a flow depth of 4 cm. The bed slope of 0.0015 was such that, for the present flow depth, the bed shear stress acting on the bed was substantially below the threshold for initiation of motion, thus ensuring that the bed remained flat throughout the measurements. To the knowledge of the writers, this work is a first attempt to systematically investigate HCSs in open-channel flows. It should be viewed as an extension to the case of horizontal structures of work previously carried out by a number of authors on large-scale organized turbulence motion in open-channel flows, so far focusing exclusively on vertical coherent structures (VCSs). The horizontal burst length was found to be between five and seven times the flow width. A slight internal meandering of the flow caused by the superimposition of burst sequences on the mean flow was detectable. Both of these findings lend support to the longstanding belief expressed by many prominent researchers that the formation of large-scale river forms is directly related to the large-scale turbulence. In particular, the present measurements for the first time provide some direct evidence in support of hypotheses previously raised by Yalin and da Silva regarding the formation of alternate bars and meanders through the action of HCSs on the mean flow and the mobile bed and banks.
Functional cooperation between Stat-1 and ets-1 to optimizeicam-1gene transcription
Authors: Yockell-Lelièvre Julien , Spriet Corentin , Cantin Paule , Malenfant Patrick , Heliot Laurent , de Launoit Yvan , Audette Marie 
Published: November 2009

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays an important role in the immune system, enabling the interactions between effector cells and target cells. It is also known to be involved in tumor growth and metastasis. Its expression is transcriptionally regulated by several proinflammatory cytokines including IFN-γ, which induces ICAM-1 transcription via the JAK–STAT signaling pathway in a Stat1-dependent fashion. The ICAM-1 promoter contains several cis-active regulatory elements including 2 Ets binding sites (EBSs) located at positions –158 and –138 relatively to the AUG, which were previously shown to play a role in the constitutive activity of the ICAM-1 promoter. In the present study, we have determined whether the EBSs are also involved in the regulation of ICAM-1 gene transcription by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Transient transfection assays were performed with reporter genes containing ICAM-1 promoter constructions cloned upstream from the firefly luciferase gene. Site-specific mutations of the EBS diminished the promoter activity stimulated by IFN-γ, although the IFN-γ responsive element (pIγRE), which binds Stat1, was intact. Stimulation of the transcriptional activity following IFN-γ treatment was significantly reduced when both EBSs were inactivated. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments provided evidence of a physical interaction involving Ets1 and Stat1. In COS-1 and HEK 293 cells cotransfected with CFP-Stat1 and YFP-Ets fusion protein, fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments confirmed the close proximity of these 2 proteins in living cells following treatment with IFN-γ.
Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor mediates angiogenesis and antiapoptosis in rat aortic endothelial cells
Authors: Hemalatha Thiagarajan , Tiwari Mitali , Balachandran Chidambaram , Manohar Bhakthavatsalam Murali , Puvanakrishnan Rengarajulu 
Published: November 2009

This study explores the angiogenic and antiapoptotic activities of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PDECGF) in rat aortic endothelial cells. The effects of PDECGF on rat aortic endothelial cell (RAEC) proliferation, migration, chemotaxis, and tubule formation were investigated in vitro at various concentrations viz., 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 ng·mL–1on endothelial cells. Endothelial cells were induced with hypoxic stress and the antiapoptotic effects of PDECGF were analysed by cell survival assay, fluorescence microscopy, cell viability assay, and flow cytometry. The results demonstrated the angiogenic potential of PDECGF on endothelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. PDECGF at 16 and 32 ng·mL–1increased cell proliferation (>80%), induced cell migration (>4 fold), stimulated chemotaxis (>2 fold), and increased tubule formation (>3 fold) compared with the control. Studies on hypoxic stress revealed the antiapoptotic nature of PDECGF on endothelial cells. PDECGF treatment enhanced cell survival by 14%, as well as cell viability by 13%, and decreased the percentage of apoptotic cells by 13% as demonstrated by fluorescence-activated cell sorter studies (FACS). In conclusion, this study demonstrated the angiogenic and antiapoptotic potentials of PDECGF on RAEC.
Antioxidative activities of white rose flower extract and pharmaceutical advantages of its hexane fraction via free radical scavenging effects
Authors: Park Dongsun , Jeon Jeong Hee , Kwon Sang-Chul , Shin Sunhee , Jang Ja Young , Jeong Heon Sang , Lee Do Ik , Kim Yun-Bae , Joo Seong Soo 
Published: November 2009

In this study, we determined the antioxidant activities of two different solvent fractions(butanol and hexane) obtained from white Rosa rugosa flowers by employing various assays such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging and inhibition activity in S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) in the RAW264.7 model. In addition, more advanced antioxidant assays were conducted, including lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl radical-mediated oxidation, DNA fragmentation, apoptosis, and cell growth. The results revealed that the hexane fraction, which contained a significant amount of polyphenols and volatile components, had excellent antioxidant potency and could scavenge free radicals of DPPH and ABTS. Interestingly, the hexane fraction inhibited lipid peroxidation to almost the same degree as a chemical antioxidant. In the NO assay, the hexane fraction effectively scavenged free radicals at all dose ranges and is expected to inhibit NO production in mammalian cells. The hexane fraction effectively prevented oxidative damage, which was induced by Cu2+/H2O2, to target proteins at lower concentrations (>1 μg·mL–1). The DNA fragmentation and the cell-level assays suggest that the hexane fraction may play a crucial role in inhibiting peroxynitrite and H2O2 attack. Based on the findings described in this study, the hexane fraction holds promise for use as a novel pharmaceutical antioxidant.
Reproductive periodicity and host-specific settlement and growth of a deep-water symbiotic sea anemone
Authors: Mercier Annie , Hamel Jean-François 
Published: November 2009

Sea anemones Allantactis parasitica Danielssen, 1890 (Actiniaria: Hormathiidae) living as epibionts on various gastropods were found at depths of ~725–1100 m off Labrador (eastern Canada). Live specimens collected with their hosts were studied in the laboratory to elucidate the role of the gastropod host in the reproductive and colonizing success of its actinian symbiont. Broadcast spawning occurred twice a year, in spring and late fall, in correlation with maximum phytoplankton or phytodetritus abundance, often during copulation of the gastropod hosts. The fully developed planula stage was reached after ~22 d. Settlement on the host’s shell generally occurred 40–44 d postfertilization, although some larvae delayed settlement for up to 22 weeks in the absence of a host. Independent and pairwise settlement trials showed that shells of live bathyal gastropods were highly favoured compared with shells of shallow-water gastropods, empty shells, pebbles, or sand. Juveniles developed 24 tentacles and reached ~10 mm in basal disk diameter and ~12 mm in stalk height after 21 months of growth. The estimated growth rates of A. parasitica suggest that symbiotic individuals would require 6–7 years to reach the mean maximum adult size (~35 mm, basal disk diameter), whereas asymbiotic individuals would need 11–12 years.