bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral type II collagen treatment in early rheumatoid arthritis. A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized trial
Authors: Sieper Joachim , Kary Sonja , Sörensen Helmut , Alten Rieke , Eggens Ulrich , Hüge Werner , Hiepe Falk , Kühne ANDREA , Listing Joachim , Ulbrich Norbert , Braun Jürgen , Zink Angela , Mitchison Nicholas Avrion 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate the efficacy of oral type II collagen in the treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods. Ninety patients with RA (disease duration ⩽3 years) were treated for 12 weeks with oral bovine type II collagen at 1 mg/day (n = 30) or 10 mg/day (n = 30) or with placebo (n = 30), in a double‐blind randomized study.Results. There was no significant difference between the 3 groups in terms of response to treatment. However, we observed a higher prevalence of responders in the type II collagen‐treated groups: 7 responders in the 10‐mg type II collagen group and 6 in the 1‐mg group, versus 4 in the placebo group. Furthermore, 3 patients in the 10‐mg type II collagen group and 1 patient in the 1‐mg type II collagen group, but no patients in the placebo group, had very good response. A total of 14 patients had to be withdrawn from the study: 2 because of side effects (nausea) and 12 because of lack of efficacy.Conclusion. Only a minority of patients responded to treatment with oral type II collagen. These results justify further efforts to identify which patients will have a good response to such therapy.
Treatment of xerostomia with polymer‐based saliva substitutes in patients with Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: van der Reijden Willy A. , van der Kwaak Hanneke , Vissink Arjan , Veerman Enno C. I. , Amerongen Arie V. Nieuw 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To determine the efficacy of 3 types of polymer‐based saliva substitutes in reducing oral dryness in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS).Methods. Subjective efficacy of 3 different saliva substitutes (determined by self‐administered questionnaire) was evaluated in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial in 43 patients with primary and secondary SS. High‐viscosity versus low‐viscosity xanthan gum‐based saliva substitutes were also compared in 33 SS patients. Salivary flow rates (SFR) were determined to examine correlations between the SFR and the subjective efficacy of the saliva substitute.Results. Neither the saliva substitutes nor the placebo was truly effective. Preference for a particular saliva substitute over placebo was equally distributed among the 3 types of substitutes. The SFR of patients who preferred polyacrylic acid‐based saliva substitutes was lower than that in patients who preferred the porcine mucin‐based substitute (P < 0.05). Patients whose oral dryness was reduced by low‐viscoelastic substitutes had a low stimulated SFR (<0.20 ml/minute; P < 0.05).Conclusion. The optimal properties of a saliva substitute are not the same for all patients with SS, but are dependent on such parameters as the individual SFR. Thus, to determine the best saliva substitute for a particular patient, it is necessary to have the patient try a number of substitutes of different viscoelastic properties.
Cutaneous lymphocyte antigen‐positive T lymphocytes preferentially migrate to the skin but not to the joint in psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Pitzalis Costantino , Cauli Alberto , Pipitone Nicolo , Smith Catherine , Barker Jonathan , Marchesoni Antonio , Yanni Ghada , Panayi Gabriel S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate whether T cell migration into different sites of inflammation (skin and synovium) within the same individual is principally regulated by tissue‐specific homing or by more general mechanisms related to inflammation.Methods. Expression of cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) and its ligand, E‐selectin, was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence using paired skin and synovial membrane (SM) samples from patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). To investigate disease specificity, delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin lesions, induced by tuberculin purified protein derivative, and SM from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), were studied as controls. To directly examine cell migration in vivo, the proportion of CLA+ T lymphocytes migrating into suction‐induced skin blisters was assessed by flow cytometry. Using the same technique, levels of paired peripheral blood and synovial fluid (SF) T cells were also analyzed.Results. CLA+ T cells preferentially accumulated in the skin, but not in the joint, of patients with PsA. Similarly, CLA+ T lymphocytes predominated in the DTH skin lesions of RA patients, but were very rare in the SM of RA patients, and were scarcely represented in the SF of patients with several chronic inflammatory arthropathies. In addition, CLA+ T lymphocytes preferentially migrated into epidermal skin blisters. This preferential pattern of CLA+ T cell accumulation was not related to the selective expression of E‐selectin, since this was similar in the skin and SM of both PsA and RA patients.Conclusion. The distinct pattern of T cell infiltration into sites of inflammation within the skin and synovium is regulated by both organ‐specific homing and general inflammation‐related mechanisms.
Depletion of γ/δ T cells does not prevent or ameliorate, but rather aggravates, rat adjuvant arthritis
Authors: Pelegrí Carme , Kühnlein Petra , Buchner Eberhard , Schmidt Carsten B. , Franch Angels , Castell Margarida , Hünig Thomas , Emmrich Frank , Kinne Raimund W. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate the role of γ/δ T cells in Mycobacterium tuberculosis–induced rat adjuvant arthritis.Methods. Rats with adjuvant arthritis were injected with the anti–T cell receptor γ/δ (anti‐TCR γ/δ) monoclonal antibody V65 according to a preventive protocol, a pre–arthritis peak protocol, and a late therapeutic protocol. Arthritis severity and joint destruction were monitored, and depletion of target cells was analyzed by flow cytometry.Results. Although all protocols led to successful depletion of TCRγ/δbright cells in peripheral blood and lymph nodes, none of the regimens influenced clinical parameters of adjuvant arthritis. If rats were treated before the clinical peak of adjuvant arthritis, however, joint destruction was significantly more severe than in vehicle‐treated rats.Conclusion. Rat adjuvant arthritis is not promoted or perpetuated by γ/δ T cells. Aggravation of joint destruction with pre–arthritis peak anti‐γ/δ treatment suggests a stage‐dependent protective role of γ/δ T cells in adjuvant arthritis.
Limited heterogeneity of rearranged T cell receptor Vα and Vβ transcripts in synovial fluid T cells in early stages of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Fischer Dagmar‐Christiane , Opalka Bertram , Hoffmann Axel , Mayr Wolfgang , Haubeck Hans‐Dieter 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. The identification of activated T cells in synovial fluid and synovium, and the association of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with specific HLA–DR restriction elements, strongly suggest that these T cells play a critical role in the etiology and pathogenesis of RA. Analysis of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in the early stages of RA might be an approach to identify those T cells involved in the initiation and/or perpetuation of the disease.Methods. TCR Vα and Vβ transcripts of synovial T cells, sampled at the early stages of RA, were amplified by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. HLA–DR subtyping was determined by serologic analysis and dot‐blot hybridization of polymerase chain reaction amplification products using digoxigenin‐labeled, sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probes.Results. Our findings showed a limited heterogeneity of Vα and Vβ TCRs in synovial fluid T cells, and a preferential usage of TCR Vα17 in early RA. In contrast, in the later stages of RA, a more polyclonal TCR V α and V β gene usage was observed.Conclusion. Our results support the view that induction of RA is driven by an oligoclonal immune response to an unknown antigen. These findings also suggest a pathogenetic role for Vα17 T cells in the early stages of RA.
src‐related tyrosine kinases regulate transcriptional activation of the interstitial collagenase gene, MMP‐1, in interleukin‐1‐stimulated synovial fibroblasts
Authors: Vincenti Matthew P. , Coon Charles I. , White Lori Anne , Barchowsky Aaron , Brinckerhoff Constance E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To characterize tyrosine kinases that contribute to the transcription of interstitial collagenase.Methods. Four thousand six hundred fourteen basepairs of the rabbit collagenase promoter region were cloned and sequenced. Plasmids containing collagenase promoter fragments linked to the luciferase reporter gene were transiently transfected into primary rabbit synovial fibroblasts. Regulation of gene activation by inflammatory mediators and tyrosine kinase inhibitors was assessed. To identify specific tyrosine kinases that contribute to collagenase gene expression, v‐src was transiently expressed in rabbit synovial fibroblasts along with collagenase promoter constructs, and basal and interleukin‐1 (IL‐1)‐induced collagenase transcription was assayed.Results. An inhibitor of src‐related tyrosine kinases, herbimycin A, inhibited increases of collagenase messenger RNA in IL‐1– and phorbol myristate acetate‐treated fibroblasts. Transcriptional activation of collagenase by IL‐1 was also inhibited by herbimycin A. Expression of v‐src in synovial fibroblasts enhanced basal and IL‐1‐inducible transcription.Conclusion. Activation of collagenase transcription by inflammatory mediators involves activation of an src‐related tyrosine kinase.
Do antioxidant micronutrients protect against the development and progression of knee osteoarthritis?
Authors: McAlindon Timothy E. , Jacques Paul , Zhang Yuqing , Hannan Marian T. , Aliabadi Piran , Weissman Barbara , Rush David , Levy Daniel , Felson David T. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. Cumulative damage to tissues, mediated by reactive oxygen species, has been implicated as a pathway that leads to many of the degenerative changes associated with aging. We hypothesized that increased intake of antioxidant micronutrients might be associated with decreased rates of osteoarthritis (OA) in the knees, a common age‐related disorder.Methods. Participants in the Framingham Osteoarthritis Cohort Study underwent knee evaluations by radiography at examinations 18 (1983–1985) and 22 (1992–1993). Usual dietary intake was assessed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire, administered at examination 20 (1988–1989). Knees without OA at baseline (Kellgren and Lawrence [K&L] grade ⩾1) were classified as having incident OA if they had a K&L grade ⩽2 at followup. Knees with OA at baseline were classified as having progressive OA if their score increased by ⩽1 at followup. Knees were also classified as having cartilage loss or osteophyte growth if their maximal joint space narrowing or osteophyte growth score increased by ⩽1 (range 0–3). The association of vitamin C, beta carotene, and vitamin E intake, ranked in sex‐specific tertiles, with incidence and progression of OA was compared with that of a panel of nonantioxidant vitamins, B1, B6, niacin, and folate, using logistic regression and generalized estimation equations to adjust for correlation between fellow knees. The lowest tertile for each dietary exposure was used as the referent category. Odds ratios (OR) were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, weight change, knee injury, physical activity, energy intake, and health status.Results. Six hundred forty participants received complete assessments. Incident and progressive OA occurred in 81 and 68 knees, respectively. We found no significant association of incident OA with any nutrient. A 3‐fold reduction in risk of OA progression was found for both the middle tertile (adjusted OR = 0.3, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.1–0.8) and highest tertile (adjusted OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.6) of vitamin C intake. This related predominantly to a reduced risk of cartilage loss (adjusted OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.8). Those with high vitamin C intake also had a reduced risk of developing knee pain (adjusted OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.8). A reduction in risk of OA progression was seen for beta carotene (adjusted OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.9) and vitamin E intake (adjusted OR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.3–1.6), but was less consistent. No significant associations were observed for the nonantioxidant nutrients.Conclusion. High intake of antioxidant micronutrients, especially vitamin C, may reduce the risk of cartilage loss and disease progression in people with OA. We found no effect of antioxidant nutrients on incident OA. These preliminary findings warrant confirmation.
Detection of anticentromere antibodies using recombinant human CENP‐A protein
Authors: Sun Dongxu , Martinez Antigona , Sullivan Kevin F. , Sharp Gordon C. , Hoch Sallie O. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To evaluate CENP‐A reactivity with anticentromere antibodies (ACA) using recombinant protein (rCENP‐A).Methods. Human CENP‐A antigen was overexpressed in insect cells using the baculovirus system. We tested for ACA activity against the full‐length recombinant polypeptide by immunoblot and by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results. Of the ACA+ sera studied (n = 38), 95% were positive when tested against the rCENP‐A in the ELISA system. Of the ACA‐ sera (n = 100), only 2% gave false‐positive results in the assay. There was good correlation between the recombinant and bona fide antigens in assaying for ACA reactivity.Conclusion. CENP‐A is a significant ACA target. The availability of the rCENP‐A assay is a valuable adjunct to the previously described rCENP‐B assay in analyses of the clinical significance of ACA.
In situ hybridization analysis of synovial and systemic cytokine messenger RNA expression in superantigen‐mediated Staphylococcus aureus arthritis
Authors: Zhao Yi‐Xue , Ljungdahl Åke , Olsson Tomas , Tarkowski Andrej 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate patterns of synovial and systemic cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in mice with superantigen‐mediated Staphylococcus aureus arthritis.Methods. Mice were inoculated intravenously with 1 × 107 colony‐forming units of toxic shock syndrome toxin–1–producing S aureus LS‐1. Synovial tissues and spleens were obtained at varying time intervals after bacterial inoculation, and examined for mRNA expression of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐12, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), TNFβ, interferon‐γ (IFNγ), transforming growth factor β, and perforin, by an in situ hybridization technique.Results. In situ hybridization revealed early synovial up‐regulation of TNFα and IL‐1β mRNA expression. Peak frequencies of these proinflammatory cytokines were observed at the second and third week of the infection. Expression of T cell‐derived cytokine mRNAs was detected later, and in a relatively low frequency. Notably, induction and peak numbers of Th2 cytokine (IL‐4 and IL‐10) mRNA expression preceded Th1 cytokine (IFNγ and TNFβ) mRNAs. In comparison with synovial tissues, peak spleen cytokine mRNA expression of IL‐1β, TNFα, TNFβ, IL‐12, and IFNγ occurred earlier, but displayed a clearly lower magnitude of expression.Conclusion. These findings demonstrate synovial and systemic up‐regulation of cytokine mRNA expression during S aureus arthritis, indicating that both monocyte/macrophage and T cell–derived products are involved in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Protein metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis and aging. Effects of muscle strength training and tumor necrosis factor α
Authors: Rall Laura C. , Rosen Clifford J. , Dolnikowski Gregory , Hartman Wilburta J. , Lundgren Nancy , Abad Leslie W. , Dinarello Charles A. , Roubenoff Ronenn 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To determine the effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on whole‐body protein metabolism.Methods. We examined protein metabolism and its hormonal and cytokine mediators before and 12 weeks after progressive resistance muscle strength training in 8 healthy young (mean ± SD age 25 ± 2 years) and 8 healthy elderly (70 ± 5 years) men and women, and in 8 adults with RA (42 ± 13 years). An additional 6 healthy elderly subjects (69 ± 3 years) served as a swimming‐only control group.Results. Subjects with RA had higher rates of protein breakdown than did young or elderly healthy subjects (79.9 ± 17.2 versus 60.3 ± 5.8 and 63.7 ± 12.4 μmoles/gm total body potassium/hour, respectively, P < 0.05), while there was no effect of age per se. Patients treated with methotrexate had normal rates of protein breakdown (P < 0.01 versus RA without methotrexate; P not significant versus healthy young subjects). Increased protein catabolism in RA was no longer evident after strength training. In multiple regression analysis, levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) (r = 0.47, P = 0.01) and growth hormone (r = ‐0.51, P = 0.006) were associated with protein breakdown, and plasma glucagon levels were inversely correlated with protein synthesis (r = ‐0.45, P = 0.02). Growth hormone (r = ‐0.56, P = 0.002) and glucagon (r = 0.45, P = 0.04), levels were associated with protein oxidation.Conclusion. Adults with RA have increased whole‐body protein breakdown, which correlates with growth hormone, glucagon, and TNFα production.
Significance of anti–nuclear matrix antibodies in patients with in vivo speckled antinuclear antibody staining
Authors: Deng Jau‐Shyong , Benedict Linda , Deng David H. , Oddis Chester V. , Fratto Jacqueline 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. Evidence suggests that patients with in vivo speckled antinuclear antibody (ANA) patterns have high titers of circulating ANA, specifically anti–U1 RNP antibody. A small percentage of patients with high titers of anti–U1 RNP antibody have anti–nuclear matrix antibodies, and some also demonstrate in vivo ANA. This study was designed to screen for the presence of antinuclear matrix antibodies in patients with in vivo ANA.Methods. Anti–nuclear matrix antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence on HCI‐extracted HEp‐2 cell substrate, by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and by immunoblot analysis.Results. All 10 patients with in vivo ANA were found to have anti–nuclear matrix antibody demonstrated using HCI‐extracted HEp‐2 cell substrate, and all exhibited antibody activity to a 36‐kd protein from nuclear matrix antigen.Conclusion. These results suggest that anti–nuclear matrix antibodies are a major factor in the development of in vivo ANA.
Novel autoantibodies directed against the common tertiary configuration of transfer RNA in a patient with interstitial lung disease
Authors: Matsumura Mami , Ohosone Yasuo , Miyachi Kiyomitsu , Akizuki Masashi , Matsuoka Yasuo , Irimajiri Shoichiro , Shimizu Mikio , Mimori Tsuneyo 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To identify and characterize a novel autoantibody, anti‐WS, that binds total transfer RNA (tRNA).Methods. Serum from patient WS, who had polyarthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, Raynaud's phenomenon, and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, was used in this study. Characteristics of anti‐WS and antibody‐reactive determinants of tRNA were investigated by 32P immuno‐precipitation using HeLa cell RNA and deletion mutants of tRNA transcribed in vitro.Results. WS serum produced nucleolar and cytoplasmic staining on indirect immunofluorescence. 32P immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that this serum immunoprecipitated total tRNAs and 5.8S and 5S ribosomal RNAs from 32P‐labeled HeLa cell extract. When deproteinized RNA was used as antigen source, total tRNAs were still precipitated by WS serum. An immunoprecipitation study, using various deletion mutants of Escherichia coli tRNA, demonstrated that both D and T Ψ C loops were needed for antibody binding. Substitution of nucleotide 18G with 18A of E coli tRNA, which is essential in the formation of the tertiary “L” shape of tRNA, inhibited binding by anti‐WS antibodies.Conclusion. Anti‐WS antibodies are novel auto‐antibodies directed against tRNAs. The antibody binding site is the common L‐shaped tertiary structure conformed by the D loop and T Ψ C loop of tRNA, suggesting that the antibodies are induced by a conserved sequence among all species. Furthermore, these antibodies could be a marker for a newly recognized subset of connective tissue disease.
Health outcomes of two telephone interventions for patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis
Authors: Maisiak Richard , Austin Janet , Heck Louis 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. The effects of treatment counseling or symptom monitoring telephone intervention strategies on the health outcomes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA), compared with usual care, were assessed.Methods. A 3‐group, randomized, controlled 9‐month trial was conducted incorporating 405 patients with RA or OA and using the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS2) as the outcome measure.Results. Analyses of covariance showed that the AIMS2 total health status of the treatment counseling group (effect size = 33, P < 0.01), but not the symptom monitoring group (effect size = 0.21, P = 0.10), was significantly improved, compared with usual care, for both RA and OA patients. The specific types of benefits differed significantly between RA and OA patients. The mean number of medical visits by OA patients in the treatment counseling group was also significantly reduced (P < 0.01).Conclusion. Telephone contact using the treatment counseling strategy produced significant, but different, health status benefits for RA and OA patients. The symptom monitoring strategy produced modest benefits.
Dactylitis in patients with seronegative spondylarthropathy. Assessment by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Olivieri Ignazio , Barozzi Libero , Favaro Lucio , Pierro Antonella , de Matteis Massimo , Borghi Claudio , Padula Angela , Ferri Silvio , Pavlica Pietro 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To establish by means of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the role of tenosynovitis and arthritis in determining the “sausage‐like” aspect of finger dactylitis and to compare the results of the 2 examinations.Methods. Twelve dactylitic fingers and their corresponding normal contralateral fingers belonging to 10 patients who met the Amor criteria for the diagnosis of seronegative spondylarthropathy (SpA) were studied by ultrasonography and MRI.Results. MRI revealed a significant increase in the volar bone‐to‐skin distance in dactylitic fingers with respect to that of the normal contralateral fingers (P < 0.001). This increase was due to distension of the flexor synovial sheaths (P < 0.00001) by fluid collection. Peritendinous soft tissues were not involved, since these were found to be significantly thicker in the normal fingers (P < 0.05). Of the 36 joints of the 12 dactylitic fingers, only 1 showed capsule distension. Using MRI as the “gold standard,” ultrasonography showed a 100% sensitivity and specificity for flexor tenosynovitis, but lacked sensitivity for joint involvement because it failed to reveal joint capsule distension in the only joint involved. Similarly, physical examination showed a 100% sensitivity and specificity for flexor sheath involvement.Conclusion. Dactylitis is due to flexor tenosynovitis. Enlargement of the finger joint capsule is not an indispensable condition for the “sausage‐like” feature. Physical examination is a sufficient method for the diagnosis of dactylitis.