bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The immunoreactivity, ligand, and cell binding characteristics of rheumatoid synovial fluid fibronectin
Authors: Carsons Steven , Lavietes Beverly B. , Diamond Herbert S. , Kinney Sandra G. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFibronectin promotes macrophage adherence and expression of Fc receptors, is chemotactic for fibroblasts, and is an opsonin for fibrin and denatured collagen. These properties suggest a role for fibronectin in the modulation of joint inflammation. Since structural modification of the fibronectin molecule has been shown to result in loss or de novo acquisition of opsonic and chemotactic activity, we determined the functional and immunochemical properties of fibronectin isolated from the inflamed joint. Eighty‐six percent of synovial fluids obtained from patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) contained fibronectin fragments, and 39% of the fluids no longer displayed the dimeric form. Compared with native fibronectin, RA peptides were as active in promoting synoviocyte chemotaxis and in glycosaminoglycan binding, but displayed lower affinity for fibrin and gelatin. Although comparable with intact protein in augmenting monocyte attachment to gelatin, the RA synovial fluid peptides did not augment monocyte attachment to fibrin. Analysis of whole synovial fluid and isolated fibronectins by enzyme immunoassay showed that the increased fibronectin immunoreactivity, previously reported in RA synovial fluid, measures intact and nearly intact protein and does not measure extensively degraded fragments.
Cricopharyngeal obstruction in inflammatory myopathy (polymyositis/dermatomyositis). Report of three cases and review of the literature
Authors: Kagen Lawrence J. , Hochman Raymond B. , Strong Elliot W. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThree adults, 2 of whom had polymyositis and 1 with dermatomyositis, developed dysphagia during the course of their illness. Results of esophageal manometry supplemented with esophageal radiography indicated the presence of cricopharyngeal achalasia. Because of the severity of this disorder, which is associated with aspiration of esophageal contents into the airways, surgery to divide the cricopharyngeal musculature was performed in 2 patients, giving complete relief of their symptoms. Prednisone dosage was not increased to treat this condition since it arose not from weakness but from obstruction. A biopsy specimen taken from 1 patient demonstrated inflammatory changes in the obstructing muscle. A review of these 3 patients and 3 previously reported cases indicates that cricopharyngeal obstruction can be a dominant cause of dysphagia in patients with myositis. The recognition of this entity is important in the management of patients with myositis because: 1 it has serious and potentially life‐threatening implications; and 2 in certain cases, it can be effectively treated with surgery.
Decreased coronary reserve in primary scleroderma myocardial disease
Authors: Kahan Andréa , Nitenberg Alain , Foult Jean‐M. , Amor Bernard , Menkes Charles‐J. , Devaux Jean‐Y. , Blanchet Fraņloise , Perennec Jeannine , Lutfalla Geneviève , Roucayrol Jean‐C. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe assessed coronary reserve, by measuring the increase in coronary sinus blood flow (CSBF) after intravenous administration of dipyridamole (0.14 mg/kg/minute for 4 minutes), in 7 patients with primary scleroderma myocardial disease (PSMD) and in 7 control subjects. Coronary reserve was greatly impaired in PSMD: before administration of dipyridamole, CSBF was similar in patients with PSMD (89 ± 32 ml/minute/100 gm, mean ± SD) and in controls (100 ± 15 ml/minute/100 gm); after dipyridamole infusion, CSBF was significantly lower in patients with PSMD (191 ± 45 ml/minute/100 gm) than in controls (399 ± 58 ml/minute/100 gm) (P < 0.01). Six of the 7 patients with PSMD had angiographically normal epicardial coronary arteries and normal left ventricular function. Decreased coronary reserve may be an important contributor to the pathogenesis of primary scleroderma myocardial disease.
Coronary arthritis in mice following the systemic injection of group b Lactobacillus casei cell walls in aqueous suspension
Authors: Lehman Thomas J. A. , Walker Sharyn M. , Mahnovski Vladimir , McCurdy Deborah 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe describe the induction of an asymmetric, focal, inflammatory coronary arteritis by a single intraperitoneal injection of group B Lactobacillus casei cell wall fragments in various inbred mouse strains. This coronary arteritis resembles the arteritis which is responsible for the 1–2% fatality rate among children with mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. Coronary arteritis developed in 18 of 26 C57BL/6, 14 of 26 A/J, 7 of 15 Balb/c, and 8 of 15 C3Heb/FeJ mice injected. It also developed in 2 of 4 „nude”︁ A/J background mice and 3 of 4 „nude”︁ C57BL/6 mice, but in 0 of 15 C3H/HeJ mice. Lesions were evident as early as 3 days following injection. The development of arteritis was accompanied by disruption of the arterial intima and media with true aneurysm formation. Measurement of serial IgG and IgM titers indicated no relationship between the development of coronary arteritis and immunoglobulin response to L casei cell walls or the development of antibodies cross‐reactive with normal myocardium. The absence of disease in only the C3H/HeJ mice, which are known to have defective macrophages, suggests that macrophages may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of coronary arteritis.
IgG and IgM rheumatoid factor synthesis in rheumatoid synovial membrane cell cultures
Authors: Wernick Richard M. , Lipsky Peter E. , Marban‐Arcos Eusebio , Maliakkal John J. , Edelbaum Dale , Ziff Morris 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe detection of rheumatoid factors (RFs) in synovial membranes and fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has suggested that local production of these antiimmunoglobulin autoantibodies may have a role in the pathogenesis of synovitis. To quantitate RF synthesis in the rheumatoid synovial membrane, 12 synovial specimens were obtained from patients with seropositive RA, 5 from patients with seronegative RA, and 6 from patients with other arthritides. Single cell suspensions were cultured, and supernatants were analyzed for IgG, IgM, IgG‐RF, and IgM‐RF by solidphase radioimmunoassays. IgM‐RF was detected in all of the 12 seropositive culture supernatants, and IgG‐RF was detected in 8 of the 12. Addition of cycloheximide to the cultures resulted in a ⩾40% decrease in the amount of IgM‐RF. A similar decrease in IgG‐RF occurred in the 4 cultures in which the largest amounts of IgG‐RF were detected. IgM‐RF synthesis represented 7.3 ± 0.7% (mean ± SEM) of the total IgM produced, and IgG‐RF represented 2.6 ± 1.1% (mean ± SEM) of the IgG synthesized in those cultures with detectable IgG‐RF. Cultures of synovial membrane cells (SMC) from seronegative RA patients or patients with other arthritides did not contain detectable amounts of IgM‐RF or IgG‐RF. Selective synthesis of RF by seropositive synovium was suggested by the observation that the fractions of synthesized IgM with RF activity were greater in the SMC supernatants than in paired sera in all cases, and the fractions of IgG with RF activity were greater in the SMC supernatants of 3 of the 4 cases in which substantial amounts of IgG‐RF were produced. Comparison of the percentages of newly synthesized IgM with RF activity in paired cultures of SMC and peripheral blood mononuclear cells similarly indicated selective synthesis of IgM‐RF by the synovium. These results demonstrate active and selective synthesis of both IgG‐RF and IgM‐RF by seropositive SMC. However, RFs account for only a minor fraction of the total Ig produced.
Cellular immunity to collagen and laminin in scleroderma
Authors: Huffstutter J. Eugene , Delustro Frank A. , LeRoy E. Carwile 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from scleroderma patients and normal controls were cultured in the presence of types I and IV collagen, intima collagen, laminin, and phytohemagglutinin. PBMC from 9 of 19 patients (47%) demonstrated lymphocyte transformation in response to laminin, and those from 2 of 17 patients (12%) demonstrated reactivity to type IV collagen. None of the patient PBMC were responsive to type I collagen or to intima collagen. Healthy controls failed to demonstrate lymphocyte transformation in response to laminin or collagens. Analysis of clinical data, including age, disease duration, and degree of skin thickening and internal organ involvement, failed to predict the response to laminin or type IV collagen. The significance and disease specificity of this cellular immunity to laminin and, with lower frequency, to type IV collagen, that occurs in some scleroderma patients are unknown.
Inspiratory muscle dysfunction and unexplained dyspnea in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Jacobelli Sergio , Moreno Rodrigo , Massardo Loreto , Rivero Santiago , Lisboa Carmen 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe role of inspiratory muscle dysfunction in lung volume restriction and unexplained dyspnea was studied in 16 consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Maximal mouth inspiratory pressure (PIM) and maximal transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi max) were measured. Pdi and its components were determined during quiet breathing. No significant association was found between the activity of the disease, several serologic markers, and the inspiratory muscle dysfunction. No specific anti‐skeletal muscle antibody was found in these patients. Significant correlations were found between the degree of dyspnea and PIM (r = −0.69, P < 0.01) and Pdi max (r = −0.75, P < 0.001); however, dyspnea did not correlate with specific lung compliance. Vital capacity correlated significantly with the degree of dyspnea (r = −0.813, P < 0.001) and with Pdi max (r = 0.544, P < 0.05). No correlation was found between vital capacity and specific lung compliance. We conclude that inspiratory muscle dysfunction can be an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of the lung volume restriction and dyspnea in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Antiarthritic drugs containing thiol groups scavenge hypochlorite and inhibit its formation by myeloperoxidase from human leukocytes. A therapeutic mechanism of these drugs in rheumatoid arthritis?
Authors: Cuperus Roelck A. , Muijsers Anton O. , Wever Ron 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe investigated the effect of antiarthritic drugs containing thiol groups, such as D‐penicillamine, tiopronin (N‐[2‐mercaptopropionyl]glycine), sodium aurothiomalate, and aurothioglucose, on the chlorinating activity of myeloperoxidase purified from human leukocytes. Hypochlorite, the reactive product of the reaction catalyzed by myeloperoxidase, was effectively scavenged by these antiarthritic drugs, and in addition, D‐penicillamine and tiopronin inhibited myeloperoxidase itself. The above‐mentioned effects of these drugs were observed at concentrations that occur in the serum of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with these agents. We suggest that the therapeutic effect of these antiarthritic drugs may be due to the protection of tissues against the reactive HOCl released by activated granulocytes at inflamed sites.
Noninvasive evaluation of cardiac dysrhythmias, and their relationship with multisystemic symptoms, in progressive systemic sclerosis patients
Authors: Ferri Clodoveo , Bernini Luigi , Bongiorni Maria Grazia , Levorato Dianora , Viegi Giovanni , Bravi Prassede , Contini Carlo , Pasero Giampiero , Bombardieri Stefano 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFifty‐three patients (34 who had diffuse scleroderma, and 19 who had CREST syndrome [calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasias]) were studied by noninvasive procedures, including resting electrocardiogram (ECG), continuous 24‐hour Holter ECG monitoring, M‐mode echocardiography, and 2‐dimensional echocardiography. Only 22 patients (42%) had abnormalities such as conduction defects, supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias, or ST‐T changes detected on resting ECG. In contrast, using Holter monitoring, the number of conduction abnormalities seen increased from 10 to 16 patients and transient ST‐T changes increased from 2 to 18 patients. Forty‐eight patients had ventricular arrhythmias, with multiform ventricular premature beats in 21 (40%), pairs of runs of ventricular tachycardia in 15 patients (28%), and 1 or more runs of ventricular tachycardia in 7 (13%). Echocardiography detected asymmetric septal hypertrophy in 10 patients, impaired ventricular function in 9 patients, congestive cardiomyopathy in 2, mitral prolapse in 4, and pericardial effusion in 3 patients. Multiform and/or repetitive ventricular premature beats occurred more frequently in patients with echocardiographic abnormalities, but were also present in patients who had normal findings on echocardiographic examination. Cardiac involvement was not correlated with clinical variants of scleroderma (CREST syndrome or diffuse scleroderma), nor with other signs and symptoms of the disease. Thus, cardiac involvement is found much more frequently than would be expected from clinical symptoms or from results of resting ECG alone; therefore, Holter monitoring and echocardiography should be included in the routine workup of patients who have scleroderma.
The value of biopsy in patients with monarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis of recent onset
Authors: Konttinen Yrjö T. , Bergroth Ville , Kunnamo Ilkka , Haapasaari Jarkko 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe histopathology of arthroscopic biopsy material from the knees of 8 patients with monarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) of recent onset and of 4 control patients was examined using a histochemical method for acid α‐naphthyl acetate esterase and an avidin‐biotin‐peroxidase complex method for different cell subtype‐specific surface antigens. According to results of our prospective, single‐blind study, nonspecific synovitis was observed in those biopsy samples obtained early in the course of disease. The samples were also characterized by cellular changes that are quite distinct from those described in patients with chronic rheumatoid synovitis. JRA must be considered the cause of symptoms if no orthopedic or infectious disease is found at arthroscopy in children with monarticular symptoms of recent onset and if nonspecific synovitis is observed in the histopathologic specimen. This pathologic description, however, does not correspond to that of classic rheumatoid synovitis. In our studies, we found that mononuclear cells displaying diffuse cytoplasmic esterase and surface Ia formed a large proportion of all inflammatory cells in situ. There were comparatively few activated Ia+ T cells and plasma cells. These observations suggest that exudative features and nonspecific cellular inflammation are prominent at onset of JRA. The immune response, in the form of immunocompetent T and B cells, seems to be more extensively involved in chronic JRA and may represent secondary features of the disease.
Adult‐onset still's disease. Disease course and HLA associations
Authors: Wouters Jacques M. G. W. , Reekers Paul , van de Putte Levinus B. A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractDisease course and HLA antigens were determined in 29 patients with definite and 13 patients with probable adult‐onset Still's disease (AOSD). Twenty‐six patients had persistent disease with continuous disease activity for at least 1 year. Radiographic examination revealed evidence of joint destruction in 26 patients. In 15 patients, at least 1 root joint was impaired. The frequency of DR4 was increased in the total group of patients (35%, P = 0.03) and in the 29 patients with definite AOSD (41%, P = 0.02) compared with the frequency in normal controls (20%). None of the patients was positive for DR1, and only 1 was positive for Bw35. The frequency of DRw6 was increased in the patients with involvement of at least 1 root joint (40%, P = 0.03) compared with the patients without involvement of these joints (11%).
Dietary fish oil reduces progression of established renal disease in (NZB × NZW)F1 mice and delays renal disease in BXSB and MRL/1 strains
Authors: Robinson Dwight R. , Prickett James D. , Makoul Gregory T. , Steinberg Alfred D. , Colvin Robert B. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that dietary marine lipids containing large quantities of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, administered to (New Zealand black × New Zealand white)F1 and MRL‐lpr/lpr mice before the development of renal disease, reduce the severity of glomerulonephritis in mice of these strains. The present study demonstrated that delayed administration of a marine lipid diet, 25% menhaden oil (MO) by weight, until after the onset of overt renal disease, also resulted in significant improvement in rates of mortality, proteinuria, and histologic evidence of glomerular injury, compared with control animals fed a diet that contained mostly saturated fatty acids, 25% beef tallow. The MO diet also reduced the histologic severity of renal disease in male BXSB/MpJ and male MRL‐lpr/lpr mice. In contrast, necrotizing vasculitis was more frequent in small and medium‐sized renal arteries of the MRL‐lpr/lpr mice fed MO than in those fed beef tallow (33.4% versus 7.6%, respectively).
Electron microscopic study of HLA‐DR and monocyte/macrophage staining cells in the rheumatoid synovial membrane
Authors: Iguchi Tetsuhiro , Kurosaka Masahiro , Ziff Morris 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe examined synovial membrane samples from 6 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 3 osteoarthritis patients and from 1 normal subject, by an immunoelectron microscopic technique using anti‐HLA‐DR (anti‐Ia) and anti‐monocyte/macrophage (63D3) monoclonal antibodies. In the lining layer, the type A macrophage‐like cells were strongly DR+ and 63D3+, whereas the type B fibroblast‐like cells were almost completely negative. Lymphocyte‐rich areas (containing more than 90% densely packed lymphocytes) showed weak and patchy DR staining of the lymphocytes. In these areas, 3–5% of the cells were macrophage‐like cells which were 63D3‐, a type of staining compatible with that of the interdigi‐tating cell (IDC). In the plasma cell‐containing (transitional) areas, many strongly DR+ macrophage‐like cells were observed in close contact with lymphocytes and plasma cells. Ten to twenty percent of these cells were 63D3‐, which suggests that they were IDC. Cells with the structural appearance of IDC were most frequently seen in those transitional areas which contained elevated concentrations (50–70%) of lymphocytes. In uninfiltrated interstitial areas, approximately 50% of the cells stained strongly with both anti‐DR and 63D3 antibody, indicating that they were cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage, presumably histiocytes. This investigation has demonstrated the presence of the DR antigen in the RA synovial membrane on 1) phagocytic cells of the lining area, 2) lymphocytes and small numbers of IDC‐like cells in dense, lymphocyte‐rich areas, 3) large numbers of macrophage‐like cells, of which some had the morphologic appearance of IDC, in transitional or plasma cell‐containing areas, and 4) histiocytic cells in uninfiltrated interstitial areas. The observation of large numbers of DR+ macrophages and IDC‐like cells in close contact with lymphocytes and plasma cells in the RA synovial membrane emphasizes their role in an active immune response. The observation of substantial numbers of potentially immunocompetent, DR+ histiocytic cells in uninfiltrated regions of the synovial membrane suggests that such cells may play a role in the progression of the synovial inflammatory reaction.
Estimation of the relative avidity of 19S IgM rheumatoid factor secreted by rheumatoid synovial cells for human IgG subclasses
Authors: Robbins Dick L. , Skilling Jeffrey , Benisek William F. , Wistar Richard 
Published: February 2007

Abstract19S IgM rheumatoid factors (RF) may play an important role in sustaining inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As yet, no unique antigenic specificity for RF in RA has been identified. Because the synovium is central to the pathogenic changes in RA, RF produced therein might be pathogenically more important than serum RF. Therefore, we examined the reactivity and relative avidity of 19S IgM‐RF in serum and rheumatoid synovial cells (RSC) from 20 patients with seropositive RA. Reactivities were determined by competitive inhibition of serum RF hemolytic activity and RSC RF‐plaque‐forming cells (PFC) by added soluble antigen, i.e., monomeric human IgG subclasses. Estimation of relative avidities of RSC RF for human IgG subclasses was done by calculation of fractional RF expression in the RSC RF‐PFC assay following inhibition by IgG subclasses. RSC RF had greatest reactivity with IgG3 and IgG1, some reactivity with IgG2, and the least reactivity with IgG4. Serum RF reacted most with IgG1 and IgG2, reacted some with IgG4, but reacted poorly with IgG3. The antigenic determinants with which RSC RF reacted were common to many IgG3 molecules. The highest relative avidity of RSC RF was for IgG3. These observations indicate a selective deficiency of serum RF compared with RSC RF and suggest an important pathogenic role for these qualitatively different RSC RF molecules for in situ RF immune complex‐mediated inflammation in RA synovial tissue.
Reactivity of monoclonal anti‐type II collagen antibodies with cartilage and synovial tissue in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Authors: Klareskog Lars , Johnell Olof , Hulth Anders , Holmdahl Rikard , Rubin Kristofer 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMonoclonal antibodies to 3 different epitopes on native type II collagen were used for immunohistochemical analysis of antigenic determinants that are exposed in the cartilage and synovial tissue obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Two of the monoclonal antibodies reacted with cartilage from both OA and RA joints, but not with that from normal joints. The third monoclonal did not stain any of the cartilage sections. The 2 positive antibodies also reacted with cartilage fragments in the synovial tissue of both RA and OA joints, and in RA pannus tissue, the antibodies showed intracellular staining in many class II transplantation antigen‐expressing synovial cells lying close to the damaged cartilage.
Complement C3b receptors on erythrocytes, circulating immune complexes, and complement C3 split products in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Thomsen Bjarne S. , Oxholm Peter , Manthorpe Rolf , Nielsen Henrik 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTwenty‐one patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and 22 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls were examined for levels of C3b receptors (CR1) on erythrocytes (by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay), levels of circulating immune complexes (IC) (by a polyethylene glycol precipitation complement consumption method), and C3 split products, C3d and C3c (by intermediate gel rocket immunoelectrophoresis). CR1 varied within a wide range (20–124%), and a preponderance of low numbers was found among patients with primary SS (P < 0.05). The levels of circulating IC and C3d were elevated in primary SS patients (P < 0.01) and were mutually correlated (P < 0.01; τ = 0.5), but levels of circulating IC and C3d did not correlate with CR1 values. C3c concentrations were the same in patients and controls. It is possible that the CR1 level serves as a predictor for the development of IC‐induced manifestations, and the C3d concentration serves as an objective parameter for disease activity in primary SS.