bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alizarin red s staining as a screening test to detect calcium compounds in synovial fluid
Authors: Paul Hernando , Reginato Antonio J. , Ralph Schumacher H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA simple, rapid screening method using alizarin red S stain and ordinary light microscopy to detect microcrystalline or noncrystalline calcium phosphate salts was used on wet drop preparations of synovial fluids. This proved to be helpful in detecting apatite crystal clumps and small calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals missed by polarized light. The staining was positive in 100% of synovial fluids from patients later proven to have apatite and/or CPPD deposition diseases. Apatite and CPPD crystals were commonly found together in the same fluids. In addition, some synovial fluids from patients with osteoarthritis, renal failure dialysis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout also exhibited positive staining. The correlation of positive alizarin red S staining with radiologic evidence of osteoarthritis suggests that apatite crystals might be related to articular cartilage degeneration in different rheumatic diseases.
Clinical and serologic study of sjögren's syndrome in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis
Authors: Osial Thaddeus A. , Whiteside Theresa L. , Buckingham Robert B. , Singh Gurmukh , Barnes E. Leon , Pierce John M. , Rodnan Gerald P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFifty‐eight patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) were evaluated clinically and by biopsy of the minor salivary glands of the lips for the presence of Sjögren'S syndrome. Clinical findings included dry eyes in 38%, dry mouth in 32%, parotid enlargement in 4%, and an abnormal Schirmer'S test in 34%. Histologic changes in lip biopsies included lymphocytic infiltrates characteristic of Sjögren'S syndrome in 17 individuals (29%). In 19 (33%) there was periglandular and intraglandular fibrosis (PSS‐fibrosis) without significant inflammation, an alteration characteristic of PSS per se. In the remaining 22 patients (38%) with PSS, no abnormality was found. Of those with PSS and Sjögren'S syndrome, 53% had serum antibodies to SS‐A and/or SS‐B, while only 1 patient with a normal biopsy had either of these antibodies. Anti‐SS‐A and anti‐SS‐B were not detected in patients with glandular fibrosis alone. The mortality rate of the PSS‐fibrosis group was higher due to a variety of severe internal manifestations related to PSS. Antibodies to SS‐A and SS‐B are useful serologic markers of the presence of Sjögren'S syndrome in patients with PSS.
Connective tissue activation
Authors: Castor C. W. , Roberts D. J. , Hossler P. A. , Bignall M. C. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn this study, virtually all sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesized and secreted by human synovial cells, both normal and rheumatoid, was detected in the form of proteoglycans of monomeric size. Enzyme hydrolysis studies that were performed demonstrated dermatan sulfate to be the dominant GAG in the proteoglycan, with lesser amounts of chondroitin 4/6 sulfate. Exposure to β‐xyloside, used as a false “core protein,” resulted in marked enhancement of GAG chain formation, suggesting that the synthesis of the sulfated carbohydrate chain itself was not rate limiting. Proteoglycan synthesis and secretion were stimulated by several types of connective tissue activating peptides (CTAP); CTAP‐III stimulation of incremental core protein and glycosaminoglycan was shown to be of a similar magnitude. Since chain synthesis was not rate limiting, it is suggested that stimulated proteoglycan formation caused by the CTAP peptides may be primarily modulated through increased formation of core protein.
Serotonin content of platelets in inflammatory rheumatic diseases
Authors: Zeller J. , Weissbarth E. , Baruth B. , Mielke H. , Deicher H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSignificantly decreased platelet serotonin contents were measured in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), progressive systemic sclerosis, and mixed connective tissue disease. An inverse relationship between platelet serotonin levels and clinical disease activity was observed in both rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. SLE patients with multiple organ involvement showed the lowest platelet serotonin values. No correlation was observed between platelet serotonin contents and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug treatment, presence of circulating platelet reactive IgG, or the amount of circulating immune complexes. The results are interpreted as indicating platelet release occurring in vivo during inflammatory episodes of the rheumatic disorders investigated.
Identification and partial purification of the major aspirin hydrolyzing enzyme in human blood
Authors: Costello Patrick B. , Green Floyd A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn normal whole human blood in vitro, the source of the enzyme controlling the hydrolysis of aspirin (ASA) was found to be the erythrocyte (RBC). Experiments were carried out to determine whether this enzyme was membrane‐bound or free in the lysate. The mean rates of ASA hydrolysis in comparable concentrations of intact RBC (1.61 ± 0.20 γmole/liter/minute, 12 = n and 1.23 ± 0.17 γmole/liter/minute, n = 5) were much faster than that measured in isolated RBC membranes (0.23 ± 0.08 γmole/liter/minute, n = 6, P = ≤0.001). Detailed study showed that the RBC‐related ASA esterase is located intracellularly and is not related to membrane acetylcholinesterase. The ASA esterase from crude lysate was purified 900‐fold by means of DEAE Sephacel chromatography of active enzyme recovered from a 50% saturated ammonium sulfate fraction. Non‐SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (pH 8.3 and 9.0) resulted in one major band and one or more small minor protein bands. When esterase activity was assayed in a non‐stained gel, ASA depeletion and salicylate production corresponded exactly to the major stained band. This band was eluted from another unstained gel, concentrated, and applied to an SDS gel. This yielded a single band with a molecular weight of approximately 95,000. The partially purified enzyme had a mean Km of 66.6 ± 3.5 γM and a mean Vmax of 4.0 ± 0.9 γmole/liter/minute/mg under the assay conditions. The results of inhibition studies suggested that this enzyme'S activity is sulfhydryl group dependent, does not require divalent cations for activity, and is different from the RBC type D “nonspecific” esterases.
The Prevalence of Juvenile Arthritis
Authors: Gewanter Harry L. , Roghmann Klaus J. , Baum John 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA secondary analysis of two new large practitioner surveys, one national and one local, showed the prevalence of juvenile arthritis to be between 0.16 and 0.43 cases per 1,000 children. These rates compare quite closely with the majority of reports both in the United States and the world. We believe the prevalence of juvenile arthritis is between 0.2 and 1 case per 1,000 children (13,000—63,000 children), with the best estimate being about 0.5 cases per 1,000 children. Based on the 1980 census data, this latter estimate means there are approximately 32,000 children with juvenile arthritis in the United States.
Antinuclear Antibodies in Localized Scleroderma
Authors: Takehara Kazuhiko , Moroi Yasuoki , Nakabayashi Yasuharu , Ishibashi Yasumasa 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWhen HeLa cells were used as the substrate for detection by the indirect immunofluorescence method, antinuclear antibodies were demonstrated in 16 of 22 (72.7%) sera from patients with localized scleroderma. When mouse kidney sections were used, the positive rate for antinuclear antibodies was 50% (11 of 22). In the 3 subgroups of localized scleroderma, frequencies of anti‐nuclear antibodies on HeLa cells were as follows: morphea, 50% (2 of 4), generalized morphea, 100% (6 of 6), linear scleroderma, 67% (8 of 12). Antibodies to centromere, Scl‐70, nuclear RNP, Sm, and SS‐B antigens were not detected in any patient with localized scleroderma. The high frequency of antinuclear antibodies in localized scleroderma sera suggests that localized scleroderma is a disease which, though different from diffuse scleroderma, also involves an immunologic abnormality.
Acute Effects of Steroids On Immune Complex Profile of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Boyd Robert E. , Birchmore Daniel A. , Kaiser Donald L. , Young Alice C. , Davis John S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractEleven patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus, previously untreated, were studied to 1) determine the acute effect of corticosteroids on circulating immune complex (CIC) levels and 2) correlate the initial CIC profile with the development of organ system involvement. Using serial measurements of CIC as detected by assays for cryoglobulins and binding to Clq, Raji cells, and rheumatoid factor, we found that levels of CIC change little during the first month of high dose daily steroid therapy, but they uniformly decrease to near normal by 6 to 12 months. High levels of CIC detected by Raji cell assay early in the course of systemic lupus erythematosus and before steroid therapy appear to be predictive of the development of chronic lupus nephritis (P < 0.005).
Band Keratopathy in MRL/1 and MRL/n Mice
Authors: Hoffman Robert W. , Kell H. Yang , Waggie Kim S. , Durham James B. , Burge Julia R. , Walker Sara Ellen 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTo define ocular abnormalities in mice with autoimmune disease, we performed biomicroscopic examinations and examined ocular tissue in MRL/1, MRL/n, NZB, NZB/NZW, and Palmerston North mice. Results were compared with MRL/Mp‐Ipr/lpr, C57BL/6J‐lpr/lpr, and normal control strains. Eighty‐seven percent of MRL/1 and MRL/n mice had typical band keratopathy; this was confirmed by histologic examination. Posterior uveitis was found in 35% of adult MRL/l mice. MRL substrains are potentially important models of ocular disease.
Glycosaminoglycan Content in Skin of the Tight‐Skin Mouse
Authors: Ross Stephen C. , Osborn Thomas G. , Dorner Robert W. , Zuckner Jack 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe tight‐skin (TSK) mouse has cutaneous changes similar to those found in the skin of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). Previous studies have shown that both have common abnormalities in skin thickness, dry weight, and hydroxyproline content. In this study, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), major components of the ground substance, were quantitated in skins from TSK mice and compared with age‐matched normal mice. Biochemical studies included determinations of hexosamines, uronic acids, and total GAGs by cetylpyridinium chloride precipitation. Dry weights and water‐fat content of skin biopsy specimens from TSK mice were also compared with those of normal mice. Hexosamine, uronic acid, total GAGs, and dry weight were increased in TSK mouse skin when compared with normal mouse skin. The water‐fat content did not differ significantly. These findings were similar to those known to occur in PSS skin, further suggesting that the TSK mouse might serve as an animal model for the skin changes found in PSS patients.
Nifedipine as a therapeutic modality for raynaud's phenomenon
Authors: Winston Eileen L. , Pariser Kenneth M. , Miller Kenneth B. , Salem Deeb N. , Creager Mark A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractEight patients with Raynaud's phenomenon were entered into a double‐blind crossover study of nifedipine versus placebo, with 7 patients undergoing finger pleth‐ysmography before and after sublingual nifedipine ad‐ministration. While receiving nifedipine, all patients reported decreased frequency and severity of attacks, and 4 of 5 had digital ulcer healing. Total finger blood flow increased in 5 of 6 patients after treatment with sublingual nifedipine. This preliminary study indicates that nifedipine may be a useful agent for treatment of digital vasospasm.
Application of monoclonal antibodies to the characterization of cells eluted from human articular cartilage. Expression of Ia Antigens in Certain Diseases and Identification of an 85‐kD Cell Surface Molecule Accumulated in the Pericellular Matrix
Authors: Burmester Gerd R. , Menche David , Merryman Parvin , Klein Michael , Winchester Robert 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIa antigens were strongly expressed on a considerable proportion of cells eluted from the damaged articular cartilages of certain individuals with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic arthritis, or from osteochondromas. In contrast, la antigens were found on less than 1% of cells eluted from the more normal appearing cartilage of certain other patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis, femoral neck fractures, an enchondroma, and a chondrosarcoma. The cell preparations obtained from these latter individuals consisted of clusters of 1–4 chondrocytes embedded in a surrounding island of the pericellular matrix, whereas as in the samples that yielded lapositive cells, many chondrocytes were isolated as free cells without a surrounding matrix. The la antigens were detected primarily on this latter cell population, suggesting that their expression might indicate a chondrocyte activated to alter its surrounding matrix. The cytologic features of the la‐positive cells were indistin guishable from those of the la‐negative chondrocytes. All eluted cells lacked antigens of the monocyte, B cell, or T cell lineages. An antigen detected by the monoclonal reagent MϕR‐17 was identified on the membrane of large numbers of chondrocytes, both with and without the pericellular matrix, indicating that the matrix in these preparations was permeable to molecules the size of antibodies. A monoclonal antibody 83c2, demonstrated to react with an 85‐kD surface molecule expressed on certain fibroblastoid and other cells, detected an antigen present on the majority of normal chondrocytes and in varying percentages of cartilage cells obtained from patients with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Of special interest, the periphery of the pericellular matrix was stained by this reagent in an irregularly distributed ring‐like zone, suggesting that the 83c2 molecule was shed into the matrix from the cell surface and accumulated in these areas.
Lymphocyte infiltrations of the gastric mucosa in sjöugren's syndrome. An Immunoperoxidase Study Using Monoclonal Antibodies in the Avidin‐Biotin‐Peroxidase Method
Authors: Kilpi Anu , Bergroth Ville , Konttinen Yrjö T. , Maury C. P. J. , Reitamo Sakari , Wegelius Otto 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBiopsy specimens of the gastric mucosa from 7 patients with primary or secondary Sjögren's syndrome were studied using the immunohistochemical avidin‐biotin‐peroxidase complex (ABC) method. Monoclonal antibodies (OKT series) were used as a primary layer to detect the surface antigens of various lymphocyte subsets in situ. Chronic inflammation with mononuclear cell infiltrates and/or glandular atrophy was seen in all 7 biopsy specimens. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the cell infiltrates consisted mainly of OKT3‐positive T lymphocytes. In 1 patient plasma cells predominated at the sites of inflammation. Most of the T cells were OKT4‐reactive lymphocytes, the OKT4/ OKT8 ratio varying between 3 and 7. These findings from the gastrie mucosa are in agreement with those obtained from the salivary glands of patients with Sjögren's syndrome and confirm the view that Sjögren's syndrome is a systemic disease affecting many organs, rather than a local disease restricted only to some exocrine glands.
Assessment of patient satisfaction in activities of daily living using a modified stanford health assessment questionnaire
Authors: Pincus Theodore , Summey Jane A. , Soraci Salvatore A. , Wallston Kenneth A. , Hummon Norman P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPatient satisfaction in performing activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed by using a self‐administered questionnaire modified from the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). The HAQ includes questions to determine a patient's degree of difficulty and need for help and assistive devices in ADL. A modification of the HAQ (MHAQ) was developed to include questions concerning perceived patient satisfaction regarding the same ADL, along with perceived change in degree of difficulty. In order to add additional questions while maintaining the length of the questionnaire in a format suitable in routine care, the number of ADL included in the MHAQ was reduced from 20 to 8. Information regarding degree of difficulty derived from 8 questions in the MHAQ is comparable with that derived from 20 questions in the HAQ. The response of a patient that a specific activity is associated with difficulty in functional capacity was not inevitably associated with the absence of patient satisfaction; 43.7% of patients responding “with some difficulty” and 19.1% of patients responding “with much difficulty” expressed satisfaction with their functional capacity. A major determinant of expression of patient satisfaction was perceived change in difficulty: 81.4% of patients noting that their function was “less difficult now,” in contrast to 16.9% of patients responding “more difficult now,” expressed satisfaction. These studies suggest that data regarding patient satisfaction and perceived change in difficulty can be assessed to more completely characterize patients' functional status in ADL.
On the design of the phase iii drug trial
Authors: Hadler Nortin M. , Gillings Dennis B. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractNo new drug can be marketed in the United States unless a favorable risk–benefit ratio has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Food and Drug Administration. Inspection of the fashion in which this is accomplished with reference to rheumatoid arthritis reveals shortcomings in form and substance. Ten issues of design are isolated and options discussed. One design suggested, as a compromise, is 2 20‐center trials to supplant late Phase II and Phase III trials. At each center a single investigator evaluates at least a 10‐subject, highly selected cohort over 6 months in a 2‐drug or a 2‐drug plus placebo double‐blind format. The active drug versus active drug component of the program will be pivotal in analysis. Advantages include expedience, lower cost, effective detection of short‐term stratum‐specific toxicity and of investigator bias, and absence of compromise in beta error. With such data and with emphasis on the beta error, the risk–benefit judgment will be more meaningful. Formalized Phase IV monitoring is proposed to detect infrequent or delayed toxicities.
Mortality from polymyositis and dermatomyositis in the united states, 1968–1978
Authors: Hochberg Marc C. , Lopez‐Acuna Daniel , Gittelsohn Alan M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMortality from polymyositis and dermatomyositis was estimated between 1968 and 1978. Age‐specific average annual mortality rates showed unimodal distributions for all sex‐race groups. Synergistic interaction was demonstrated between female sex and nonwhite race, greatest mortality being in nonwhite females through age 74. Increases in annual death rates occurred among both white males and white females during the interval. Finally, the increase in mean age at death among all sex groups correlated with improved prognosis as well as decreased mortality among younger persons over time.
Labial salivary gland biopsy in sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Daniels Troy E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractXerostomia is an unsatisfactory diagnostic criterion for the salivary component of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). To determine the diagnostic usefulness of the presence of focal sialadenitis in labial salivary gland (LSG) biopsy specimens, 362 patients suspected of having SS prospectively underwent a unique LSG biopsy procedure. The pattern and severity of LSG inflammation were compared with measurements of parotid flow rate, and the presence or absence of symptomatic xerostomia, major salivary gland enlargement, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), and other connective tissue diseases (CTD). LSG biopsy focus scores of >1 correlated more closely with the diagnoses of KCS alone and with KCS plus a CTD than did either reduced parotid flow rate or symptoms of xerostomia (P < 0.0005 and P < 0.05, respectively). Focal sialadenitis in an adequate LSG specimen is an objective criterion and a more disease‐specific feature of SS than xerostomia or any other feature of salivary disease. The salivary component of SS should be redefined as the presence of LSG focal sialadenitis.
Scleroderma‐like alterations in collagen metabolism occurring in the TSK (tight skin) mouse
Authors: Jimenez Sergio A. , Millan Alberto , Bashey Reza I. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAbnormalities in collagen metabolism similar to those occurring in the skin of patients with scleroderma have been demonstrated in the TSK (tight skin) mouse, a dominant mutant of the inbred B10.D2(58N)/SN mouse strain. These abnormalities, which consist of increased collagen content, accelerated biosynthesis, and increased extractibility of the newly synthesized molecules, suggest that the TSK mouse may be an excellent animal model for the study of the connective tissue alterations characteristic of scleroderma.
Immobilization ameliorates chemically‐induced articular cartilage damage
Authors: Williams James M. , Brandt Kenneth D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe have previously shown that immobilization protects against the development of mechanically‐induced osteoarthritis following anterior cruciate ligament transection in dogs. Herein, we examine the effect of immobilization of the leg on the chemically‐induced degeneration of femoral articular cartilage caused by intraarticular injection of iodoacetate in guinea pigs. One week after the injection, cartilage from animals which were not immobilized exhibited a decrease in Safranin O staining and a 10–20% reduction in the number of chondrocytes. Three weeks after injection, cell death and loss of Safranin O staining had progressed, and surface fibrillation and osteophytes had developed. Articular cartilage from the contralateral (uninjected) knees of guinea pigs which received iodoacetate, and from knees of animals which were immobilized for 1 week but did not receive iodoacetate, was histologically and histochemically normal. However, specimens from 2 of 4 untreated knees which were immobilized for 3 weeks showed a reduction in Safranin O staining. Immobilization of the knee did not alter the loss of Safranin O staining seen after intraarticular iodoacetate injection, but did reduce the depletion of chondrocytes (P < 0.05). Furthermore, neither osteophytes nor fibrillation developed in any of the animals which were constrained after iodoacetate injection. Thus, immobilization was clearly protective in this model of chemically‐induced cartilage injury.