bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An immunoassay differentiating sera with antibodies to sm alone, antibodies to sm/RNP complex, and antibodies to RNP alone
Authors: Tsay Gregory J. , Chan Edward K. L. , Peebles Carol L. , Pollard K. Michael , Tan Eng M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractCombined DEAE‐Sephacel and hydroxyapatite chromatography resulted in a separation of free Sm antigen from the Sm/RNP complex in rabbit thymus extracts. In Western blots, the free Sm preparation contained an immunoreactive 14‐kd (D) protein, whereas the Sm/RNP complex contained, in addition to the 14‐kd protein, a 68‐kd—reactive protein and its putative degradation fragments. Ethidium bromide staining of these preparations separated by agarose gel electrophoresis showed that the Sm/RNP preparation contained RNA, but the free Sm preparation did not. These preparations were used as antigens in an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera characterized as anti‐Sm only, anti‐Sm/RNP, and anti‐RNP only were assayed. A quotient (Q) was derived from the ELISA optical density obtained with Sm/RNP as antigen divided by the optical density obtained with free Sm as antigen. Q values <4.0 characterized sera with anti‐Sm only, values of 4.0–12.0 were observed in sera with anti‐Sm plus anti‐RNP, and values >12.0 in sera with anti‐RNP only. Sera with antibodies to other nuclear antigens were not reactive in this system. It has traditionally been difficult to identify sera with anti‐RNP when this is present simultaneously with, and in lower concentration than, anti‐Sm. With this method, such sera can be identified by their Q value, which falls in an intermediate region between a lower Q for anti‐Sm and a higher Q for anti‐RNP.
Human recombinant interleukin‐1β stimulates glycosaminoglycan production in human synovial fibroblast cultures
Authors: Yaron Ilana , Meyer Frank A. , Dayer Jean‐Michel , Yaron Michael 
Published: February 2007

AbstractHuman recombinant interleukin‐1β (rIL‐1β) stimulated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) production in human synovial fibroblast cultures. A dose‐dependent increase in GAG production was found, to a maximum of 500%. Increase was detected at doses as low as 1 pg/ml of rIL‐1β, reached a maximum at 10‐100 pg/ml, and was apparent 10 hours after addition of rIL‐1β. Stimulation of GAG was always accompanied by increased accumulation of prostaglandin E (PGE) in culture media and by increased collagenase production in approximately one‐half the experiments. Indomethacin (5 m̈/ml) completely inhibited PGE stimulation by rIL‐1β, but only partially inhibited that of GAG overproduction and had no effect on collagenase production. Hydrocortisone (2 m̈/ml) inhibited stimulation of all 3 parameters. Stimulation of hyaluronate in synovial cultures prevailed over that of sulfated GAG, which occurred to à lesser extent. Our results support earlier suggestions that interleukin‐1 is a major active mononuclear cell factor that is capable of inducing profound changes in connective tissue cell function.
Passive transfer studies with type II collagen antibody in b10.D2/old and new line and C57b1/6 normal and beige (chediak‐higashi) strains: evidence of important roles for C5 and multiple inflammatory cell types in the development of erosive arthritis
Authors: Watson W. C. , Brown P. S. , Pitcock J. A. , Townes A. S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractC5‐normal B10.D2/new line mice were susceptible to passively transferred arthritis from purified type II collagen antibody, and in vitro studies demonstrated that, when bound to cartilage, this antibody readily activated complement C5 to C5a. C5‐deficient B10.D2/old line mice failed to develop passively transferred arthritis, despite the deposition of antibody and C3 along the cartilage surface. C57B1/6 mice were susceptible to passively transferred arthritis, which was characterized in histopathologic studies as an erosive synovitis involving multiple inflammatory cell types. In contrast, neither clinical nor histologic evidence of arthritis was observed in C57B1/6 mice with the beige mutation (Chediak‐Higashi syndrome).
The immunologic detection and characterization of cartilage proteoglycan degradation products in synovial fluids of patients with arthritis
Authors: Witter James , Roughley Peter J. , Webber Carolyn , Roberts Nancy , Keystone Edward , Poole A. Robin 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAntibodies were used in radioimmunoassays with gel chromatography to detect the hyaluronic acid‐binding region, core protein, and keratan sulfate of human cartilage protoeglycan in the synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. All fluids contained proteoglycan that was mainly included on Sepharose CL‐4B; this result indicates cleavage of proteoglycan (which is normally excluded). The hyaluronic acid‐binding region was the smallest and most commonly detected fragment. It was relatively free of keratan sulfate and core protein, and it could sometimes bind to hyaluronic acid. Other larger fragments containing core protein and/or keratan sulfate were detected in every fluid.
Bradykinin, a new potential mediator of inflammation‐induced bone resorption
Authors: Lerner Ulf H. , Jones Ian L. , Gustafson Gunnar T. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe effect of bradykinin and desArg9‐bradykinin on bone was studied in cultures of calvarial bones taken from 6–7‐day‐old mice. Bradykinin, at and above a 3‐nM concentration, caused a dose‐dependent stimulation of bone mineral mobilization and matrix degradation. Bradykinin‐stimulated resorption was inhibited by calcitonin, an increased concentration of phosphate in the culture medium, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, indomethacin, meclofenamic acid, naproxen, and 5,8,11,14‐eicosatetraenoic acid. The results suggest that bradykinin stimulates osteoclast‐mediated bone resorption by a process that is dependent on endogenous prostaglandin production. The stimulatory effect of bradykinin, but not of parathyroid hormone and prostaglandin E2, was potentiated by the angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor, BPP5a. Treatment with carboxypeptidase B did not affect the capacity of the peptide to stimulated 45Ca release. DesArg9‐bradykinin (1 m̈mole/liter) stimulated 45Ca release to the same degree as did bradykinin. Bradykinin (3 m̈M) did not affect the degradation of cartilage proteoglycans, as assessed by the release of 35S‐sulfate from prelabeled calf articular cartilage in organ culture. These findings suggest that generation of bradykinin in inflammatory lesions of rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis may contribute to the bone resorptive process seen in the joints and alveolar bone; however, bradykinin does not directly activate chondrocytes into a catabolic state.
Plasma hydroxychloroquine concentrations and efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Miller Donald R. , Fiechtner Justus J. , Carpenter James R. , Brown Richard R. , Stroshane Ronald M. , Stecher Vera J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPlasma levels of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its metabolites were measured, by high performance liquid chromatography, in 37 rheumatoid arthritis patients who could be clearly distinguished as responders (n = 28) or nonresponders (n = 9) to HCQ, 400 mg/day. Efficacy in both groups was determined by the patients' erythrocyte sedimentation rates, joint counts, morning stiffness, global assessments, concurrent drug therapies, and grip strength. The response rate was 76%. Responders had a mean HCQ level of 213 ng/ml, versus 306 in nonresponders (P < 0.05). The mean level of HCQ plus total metabolites in responders was 363 ng/ml, versus 554 in nonresponders (P < 0.01). We conclude that monitoring plasma HCQ levels is unlikely to be helpful in individualizing effective drug dosage.
Quantitative pain assessment for routine care of rheumatoid arthritis patients, using a pain scale based on activities of daily living and a visual analog pain scale
Authors: Callahan Leigh F. , Brooks Raye H. , Summey Jane A. , Pincus Theodore 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPain was assessed quantitatively as a component of routine visits of 385 outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis, using a pain scale based on activities of daily living (ADL) and a visual analog scale. The ADL pain scale met psychometric criteria for validity and reliability. Scores on the 2 pain scales were correlated significantly with one another and with other measures of disease status, including joint count, grip strength, walking time, button test, morning stiffness, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, global self‐assessment, ADL difficulty, and ADL dissatisfaction scales. Correlations of ADL pain scale scores with other measures were higher than were correlations of visual analog scale scores with other measures, in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Significantly more patients completed the ADL pain scale without assistance than the number of those who completed the visual analog pain scale. The ADL pain scale was more sensitive to problems in ADL than were the ADL scales for difficulty and dissatisfaction. The ADL and visual analog pain scales appear to provide useful data for quantitative assessment of pain in the routine care of rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Hydroxyapatite deposition in osteoarthritic articular cartilage of the proximal femoral head
Authors: Ohira Takashi , Ishikawa Koichiro 
Published: February 2007

AbstractHydroxyapatite crystal deposition in the articular cartilage of the proximal femoral head was examined by using light and electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. The hydroxyapatite deposition was significantly more frequent in patients with osteoarthritis (40.7%, 22 of 54) than in control subjects (6.0%, 3 of 50) (P < 0.001). Initial deposition of needle‐like crystals was always seen on or within the electron‐dense, amorphous material around the degenerating hypertrophic chondrocytes. Matrix vesicles were rarely seen in the calcifying areas.
Autoantigenic histone epitopes: a comparison between procainamide‐ and hydralazine‐induced lupus
Authors: Craft Joe E. , Radding Jeffrey A. , Harding Matthew W. , Bernstein Robert M. , Hardin John A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractUsing the technique of immunoblotting, we assessed the ability of sera from 19 patients with drug‐induced lupus to bind individual histones and specific histone fragments. The pattern of histone epitopes bound by sera from 9 patients with procainamide‐induced lupus was very similar to that described previously in spontaneous systemic lupus erythematosus. In contrast, sera from 10 patients with hydralazine‐induced lupus bound a broader array of individual histones and recognized a different set of histone epitopes. We conclude that these 2 drugs induce antihistone antibodies through somewhat different mechanisms, which possibly involve differences in their ability to structurally alter chromatin.
Determinants of axial bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Sambrook Philip N. , Eisman John A. , Champion G. David , Yeates Michael G. , Pocock Nicholas A. , Eberl Stefan 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTo assess mechanisms that cause generalized osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we measured bone mineral density (BMD) by dual photon absorptiometry in the lumbar spine and femoral neck of 111 patients with RA. BMD was significantly reduced at both sites in these patients. Physical activity correlated significantly with BMD in patients with RA, and was found, by multiple regression analysis, to be a significant predictor of femoral bone density in female patients. Multiparity exerted a protective effect on lumbar bone density. Prednisolone (mean dosage 8 mg/day) was not associated with significantly increased bone loss in women, whereas higher dosages in men (mean 10.3 mg/day) were associated with increased lumbar bone loss. Reduced physical activity leading to a form of disuse osteoporosis appears to be an important factor in axial bone loss in RA.
Weight bearing controls glycosaminoglycan concentration and articualr cartilage thickness in the knee joints of young beagle dogs
Authors: Kiviranta Ilkka , Jurvelin Jukka , Tammi Markku , SääMäunen Anna‐Marja , Helminen Heikki J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractCasting of the right knee (stifle) joints of young beagle dogs for 11 weeks caused up to 48% reduction in the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) concentration of the uncalcified articular cartilage, as assessed by a new microspectrophotometric method. The GAGs were depleted mainly in the superficial zone of the cartilage. Although the thickness of the uncalcified cartilage was not decreased, the calcified cartilage under the tidemark was thinned by 6–25% at the femoral condyles. The increased weight‐bearing in the limb opposite the one in the splint caused uncalcified cartilage thickness to be augmented by 19% and GAG concentration by 25–35% in the intermediate, deep, and calcified zones of the summits of the femoral condyles; the changes were smaller in other, less loaded parts of the joint. It is concluded that in young dogs, increased weight‐bearing augments local proteoglycan content of the articular cartilage matrix, while unloading reduces it.
Frozen shoulder in hyperthyroidism
Authors: Wohlgethan Jeffrey R. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA patient who presented with bilateral frozen shoulders and unrecognized hyperthyroidism is described. Both frozen shoulder and the related shoulder–hand syndrome may occur in this setting. These poorly understood rheumatic conditions often are complications of stroke, spinal cord injury, or diabetes. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system is thought to be of pathogenic importance. It is postulated that the close resemblance of hyperthyroidism to activation of the sympathetic nervous system may underlie its association with frozen shoulder and shoulder–hand syndrome.
Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of the treatment of the painful shoulder
Authors: Petri Michelle , Dobrow Robert , Neiman Richard , Whiting‐O'keefe Quinn , Seaman William E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe effect of triamcinolone subacromial bursa injection versus naproxen therapy was compared in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of 100 patients who had painful shoulders. Outcome was compared using degree of active abduction, pain, limitation of function, and a clinical index that combined equally weighted measures of all of these. In a time‐adjusted analysis, triamcinolone was superior to placebo in all clinical variables. Naproxen was superior to placebo in all variables except pain. Triamcinolone was superior to naproxen in the relief of pain (P = 0.04) and the clinical index (P = 0.04). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that naproxen and triamcinolone treatment accounted for only 16% of the variation in outcome, compared with 44% accounted for by the clinical index prior to treatment. Thus, patients with a poor pretreatment clinical index (those with the most room for improvement) were least likely to improve. We conclude that both triamcinolone (P = 0.00005) and naproxen (P = 0.02) are superior to placebo in the treatment of the painful shoulder.
Elevated plasma C3 anaphylatoxin levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Moxley George , Ruddy Shaun 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBecause synovial fluid levels of the C3 anaphylatoxins, C3a and C3a desArg, are more than 7 times higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) than in patients with degenerative joint disease or traumatic arthritis, we conducted a prospective study of plasma levels of C3 and C5 anaphylatoxins in 11 RA patients. The mean level of C3 anaphylatoxin in 37 RA plasma specimens was twice as high as that in samples obtained from 9 normal volunteers (272.9 ± 106.1 ng/ml versus 133.9 plusmn; 19.4 ng/ml) (P<0.05). We found that the joint index and the disease activity index were correlated with the plasma C3 anaphylatoxin level, and that the correlation values were similar to those for serum C‐reactive protein level and for the Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In correlations of the joint index and disease activity index with combinations of laboratory test results, the plasma C3a level, the serum C‐reactive protein level, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, we found that almost any pair of laboratory tests correlated more strongly than did any one test.
Prevalence of thyroid disease and abnormal thyroid function test results in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Miller Frederick W. , Moore Gerald F. , Weintraub Bruce D. , Steinberg Alfred D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAlthough thyroid disease has been associated with other autoimmune conditions, it is not well recognized in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. We found that in 332 SLE patients hospitalized during a 5‐year period, the overall prevalence of diagnosed thyroid disease (7.5%) was similar to that in other female populations, but the prevalence of diagnosed hypothyroidism (6.6%) was unexpectedly high. There was also a high frequency of abnormal thyroid function test results in 175 SLE patients without diagnosed thyroid disease who underwent laboratory screening. More than 45% of these patients had elevated levels of thyroid‐stimulating hormone, 34% had low T3 determinations, and 18% had high antimicrosomal antibody titers. When patients were categorized into “functional groups,” some showed evidence of the “euthyroid sick syndrome” (15%), but many more had laboratory test results suggestive of true (5%) or incipient (39%) primary hypothyroidism. We conclude that abnormal thyroid function test results are common in patients with SLE and that hypothyroidism, especially, should be considered when evaluating symptoms and signs in SLE patients.
The effect of indication on hypersensitivity reactions associated with zomepirac sodium and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
Authors: Strom Brian L. , Carson Jeffrey L. , Morse M.Lee , West M. Lee , Soper Keith A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA large, computerized database derived from Medicaid claims was used to evaluate the risk of allergy and/or anaphylaxis associated with the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as a class and the risk associated with the use of zomepirac relative to other NSAIDs. We compared 51,797 patients exposed to NSAIDs with 35,634 age‐ and sex‐matched patients who had not been exposed. As a class, NSAIDs were associated with an adjusted relative risk (95% confidence interval) of hypersensitivity reactions of 2.0 (1.3–2.9). The increased risk was accentuated in those with a diagnosis compatible with acute pain (3.6 [2.2–5.9]) and absent in those without such a diagnosis (1.1 [0.6–1.9]). Comparison of those exposed to zomepirac with those exposed to other NSAIDs resulted in an age‐adjusted relative risk of 2.0 (1.1–4.7). Stratification by the probable indication for NSAID use again suggested that the risk may be explained by the use of the NSAIDs for different indications. We concluded that NSAIDs are associated with an increased risk of allergy and/or anaphylaxis, and the use of zomepirac appears to be associated with an increased risk compared with the use of other NSAIDs. However, that increased risk may be a function of the primary indication for the drug or, more likely, the regimen associated with that indication, rather than an intrinsic property of the drug.
Synthesis of arachidonate oxidation products by synovial joint tissues during the development of chronic erosive arthritis
Authors: Henderson B. , Higgs G. A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAn animal model, antigen‐induced arthritis in the rabbit, was used to investigate the synthesis of arachidonic acid oxidation products (eicosanoids) by tissues of the knee joints during the initiation and early phase of this developing chronic destructive lesion. High concentrations of immunoreactive prostaglandin E2 and immunoreactive leukotriene B4 were found to be present in the synovial fluid in the early lesion. These levels rapidly declined, as did the ablity of the infiltrating cells of the arthritic joint fluids to synthesize leukotriene B4. Articular cartilage and synovial lining were maintained for 24 hours in nonproliferative organ culture, and the synthesis of eicosanoids was measured by assay of the culture fluids. The synovial lining was the major source of eicosanoids. Synthesis of prostaglandin E2, prostacyclin, thromboxane A2, and leukotriene B4 by the arthritic synovial lining was low during the first few days, but reached maximal values between day 5 and day 15 of disease duration. Maximal eicosanoid production occurred around the time that damage to articular cartilage and bone has been reported to occur, though it is not certain that these two events are linked. It was demonstrated that, in chronic lesions, the arthritic synovial lining was still producing elevated levels of eicosanoids compared with levels in the control tissue.
In vivo capillary microscopy findings and ophthalmoscopy findings in scleroderma
Authors: Ranft Juergen , Lammersen Teresa , Heidrich Heinz 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe used in vivo capillary microscopy to examine the nailfold capillaries of 19 patients with scleroderma (18 women and 1 man; average age 56.6), and compared these findings with those obtained using an ophthalmoscope. The ophthalmoscope revealed hemorrhages in 68% of the patients, a reduction in the number of capillaries in 79%, avascular areas in 79%, and dilated capillaries in 84%. The findings from ophthalmoscopy showed a correlation of approximately 80% with those from capillary microscopy. Since the diagnosis of scleroderma can be confirmed with this instrument, we suggest that it be used when microscopy equipment is not available.
Development of selective igm deficiency in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with disease of long duration
Authors: Saiki Osamu , Saeki Yukihiko , Tanaka Toshio , Doi Satoru , Hara Hideki , Negoro Shigeru , Igarashi Tsuyoshi , Kishimoto Susumu 
Published: February 2007

AbstractStatistical analysis of serum immunoglobulin levels in 54 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients showed a decrease in serum IgM (normal 77 ± 26 mg/dl; P < 0.001) that was closely related to disease duration. The longer the duration of SLE, the more striking the decrease in serum levels of IgM (r = −0.74, P<0.01). Selective IgM deficiency (<47 mg/dl) occurred in SLE patients whose disease was clinically inactive or less active.