bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and radiographic improvement of bone of the second lumbar vertebra in paget's disease following therapy with etidronate disodium: A case report
Authors: Nicholas John J. , Helfrich David J. , Cooperstein Lawrence , Goodman Mark 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPaget's disease of bone is most commonly seen in the spine; it may either be asymptomatic or may cause pain and neurologic impairment. We describe a patient with back pain due to Paget's disease of the second lumbar vertebra and spinal stenosis. The patient had a dramatic clinical and radiographic response to 2 courses of etidronate disodium, which was evidenced by resolution of the back pain and improvement in bony spinal stenosis. Etidronate may be effective in reversing bony spinal stenosis due to Paget's disease.
Identification of t cells in early dermal lymphocytic infiltrates in avian scleroderma
Authors: Van De Water Judy , Haapanen Lori , Boyd Richard , Abplanalp Hans , Eric Gershwin M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractUniversity of California, Davis (UCD) line 200 chickens spontaneously develop a progressive fibrotic syndrome with features similar to those observed in human autoimmune connective tissue diseases, including fibrosis, vascular occlusion, and lymphocytic infiltration of the comb, skin, digits, and viscera. Beginning at 2 weeks post hatch, line 200 chickens develop intense lymphocytic infiltration of the comb and dorsal neck skin. To further characterize the nature of these cellular infiltrates, weekly serial skin biopsy specimens from line 200 and control birds were examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining and indirect immunofluorescence with a library of mouse anti‐chicken monoclonal antibodies specific for lymphocyte markers. In situ staining performed on serial skin sections revealed the presence of large groups of T cells beginning at 2 weeks of age. Further characterization of these infiltrates demonstrated the presence of both T helper and T cytotoxic/ suppressor cells with a mean ± SD T4:T8 ratio of 1.44 ± 0.29 by 4 weeks of age. As the lesions progressed, the infiltrates also contained distinct groups of B cells as characterized by MUI 36. In addition, the lesions were strongly positive for B‐L (Ia) antigen, which was noted on B cells, monocytes/macrophages, activated T cells, and fibroblasts. The skin sections were negative for 2 different macrophage monoclonal antibodies at all time‐points. Upon extraction from affected skin, 42.0 ± 13.06% (mean ± SD) of these cells were positive for B‐L, 35.10 ± 6.51% were T cells, and 31.25 ± 3.14% were recognized by MUI 36. Although positive staining for IgG was not found in these extracted cells, 7% of the isolated cells were positive for surface IgM.
An adsorption procedure to increase the specificity of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays for lyme disease without decreasing sensitivity
Authors: Fawcett Paul T. , O'brien Ann E. , Doughty Robert A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPrevious efforts to use adsorption techniques to enhance the specificity of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays for antibodies to the spirochete that causes Lyme disease resulted in unacceptable reductions in assay sensitivity. We present here evidence that preadsorption of serum with Escherichia coli can enhance test specificity without significantly reducing test sensitivity.
Immune responses to borrelia burgdorferi in patients with reactive arthritis
Authors: Weyand Cornelia M. , Goronzy Jörg J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn reactive arthritis (ReA), including Reiter's syndrome, a close relationship between chronic enteric and genitourinary infections and the clinical features of enthesitis has been described. In contrast, in Lyme arthritis, a distinct clinical entity, chronic infection with the tick‐transmitted spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi has been associated with the disease. In a prospective study, 51 patients with ReA were tested for evidence of chlamydial and spirochetal infection. The presence of Chlamydia was determined by culture in 8 patients, and 7 additional patients had markedly elevated antibody titers. In 9 patients, antibodies specific to B burgdorferi were found. Purified peripheral blood T lymphocytes of all 9 patients proliferated specifically to stimulation with macrophages pre‐pulsed with B burgdorferi antigens. Compared with other protein antigens, higher numbers of antigen‐pulsed macrophages were necessary to activate B burgdorferi–specific T cells. Although antibody titers decreased in response to antibiotic treatment in 8 of 9 patients, second‐line therapy with sulfasalazine or methotrexate was required to obtain clinical remission. These data suggest that chronic infection with B burgdorferi can cause ReA. In predisposed individuals, the arthritogenic immune response might be triggered by persisting infectious agents independent of their antigenic specificities.
Electron microscopic analysis of sequential liver biopsy samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Correlation with light microscopic findings
Authors: Kremer Joel M. , Kaye Gordon I. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe used electron microscopy (EM) to analyze 52 biopsy samples from 22 patients who were receiving long‐term weekly oral doses of methotrexate (MTX) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Forty‐eight biopsy samples were obtained after 2–6 years of continuous treatment, and 4 samples were obtained before treatment was begun. Specimens were graded for neutral fat, secondary and tertiary lysosomes, and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) in hepatocytes, and for collagen in the perisinusoidal space (Disse's space). We examined the correlations between the EM findings and the light microscopic (LM) findings in the same biopsy specimens, and between the EM findings and the results of simultaneous monthly measures of aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and albumin levels, as well as history of alcohol consumption before MTX treatment and monthly assessments of clinical status during the course of treatment. The presence of collagen was minimally increased in these sequential biopsy samples, whereas fat, lysosomes, and SER were decreased. The SER decrease was statistically significant. EM findings of collagen in the space of Disse did not correlate with early fibrotic changes observed with LM. Thus, after as long as 6 years of weekly oral treatment with MTX, hepatic ultrastructural changes are minimal and are not clinically significant. The use of EM for sequential biopsy studies allows the quantitation of long‐term hepatic changes that may be more limited than the impression gained after LM analysis.
Immunoglobulin kappa genotype confers risk of rheumatoid arthritis among hla–dr4 negative individuals
Authors: Moxley George 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBecause DNA polymorphisms of immunoglobulin kappa confer risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and not all persons with RA have the HLA–DR4 marker, genomic polymorphisms of immunoglobulin kappa and HLA–DRβ were determined in white patients with RA. Compared with control subjects matched for DRβ genotype, the homozygous genotype of the constant segment of immunoglobulin kappa (Cκ) was more frequent in the subgroups of RA patients without the DRβ genotype corresponding to HLA–DR4 (relative risk 6.2, P < 0.01) and patients without DR4 or DR1 (relative risk 6.7, P = 0.013), but not in the DR4+ RA subgroup. Therefore, RA may be a genetically heterogeneous disease, with HLA–DR4 marking one genetic subset and the homozygous Cκ genotype marking another.
Antigenic specificity of rheumatoid synovial fluid lymphocytes
Authors: Pope Richard M. , Pahlavani Mohammad A. , Lacour Edmund , Sambol Susan , Desai Basavaraj V. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe majority of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fluid lymphocytes (SFL) demonstrate markers that are suggestive of prior activation. While the mechanism(s) responsible is unknown, prior studies have suggested that certain Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) antigens may preferentially activate SFL in vitro. We therefore examined the ability of RA SFL to respond to purified protein derivative and an acetone‐precipitable MT antigenic complex (AP‐MT) and compared this with the responses by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). The responses were contrasted with those elicited with tetanus toxoid (TT) and mitogenic anti‐CD3. In patients with RA, the SF proliferative responses to both TT and anti‐CD3 were reduced compared with responses by PB. In contrast, the SF response to purified protein derivative was maintained, and that to AP‐MT was significantly increased, compared with PB. SF responses to AP‐MT antigens were significantly greater than those to TT. The AP‐MT activation of T lymphocytes from RA SF was characterized by an earlier peak proliferative response than that noted with matched PB. AP‐MT responsiveness was not restricted to HLA–DR4 positive patients. These observations suggest that an epitope(s) contained within the MT complex of antigens, and enriched in the AP‐MT complex, may be important in maintaining the chronic inflammation in at least some patients with RA.
Chondrolysis of the hip joint in a patient receiving long‐term hemodialysis: Histologic and biochemical evaluation
Authors: Mitrovic Dragoslav R. , Darmon Nicole , Barbara Alain , Riera Humberto , Bardin Thomas 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe describe a patient undergoing long‐term hemodialysis, in whom severe chondrolysis of the hip joint developed. The chondrolysis evolved in the absence of synovial inflammation and articular chondrocalcinosis. Biochemical studies of articular cartilage retained at surgery revealed deposition of exclusively small proteoglycans in the matrix. This may have been an important factor leading to the rapid chondrolysis in this patient.
Cost‐effectiveness of inpatient and intensive outpatient treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Helewa Antoine , Bombardier Claire , Goldsmith Charles H. , Menchions Bruce , Smythe Hugh A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWomen with active rheumatoid arthritis who were judged to be in need of hospitalization were assigned at random to receive inpatient therapy (n = 35) or intensive outpatient therapy (n = 36). All relevant costs of treatment were measured. At 19 weeks, clinical outcomes, as summarized in a pooled index, were significantly better in the inpatient group (pooled index units: inpatient 0.72, outpatient 0.25; F[1,69] = 10.9, P = 0.002). Inpatient therapy produced a sustained threefold increase in efficacy, at a 2.5‐fold increase in cost to society.
Immune complex formation between IgM rheumatoid factor and IgG generated by hyaluronic acid
Authors: Faaber P. , Van Den Bersselaar L. A. M. , Van De Putte L. B. A. , Van Den Berg W. B. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractImmunoglobulin inclusions are regularly detected in granulocytes obtained from the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. In contrast, granulocytes isolated from the blood of the same patients usually contain no immunoglobulin inclusions. Using the indirect granulocyte phagocytosis test (IGPT), we obtained evidence that this discrepancy can be explained by the finding that hyaluronic acid (HA), a component of synovial fluid, increases the avidity of rheumatoid factor (RF), resulting in the formation of IgG–IgM‐RF complexes. The addition of HA to RA sera and subsequent testing by IGPT revealed an increased uptake of the induced immune complexes by these cells, which was dependent on the HA dose. Furthermore, supplementation of normal human serum with purified IgM‐RF generated a positive IGPT result in a dose‐dependent manner in the presence of HA. We conclude that HA, a component of synovial fluid, might facilitate immune complex formation in the joint cavity, resulting in the inflammatory reaction in the joints of RA patients.
Interleukin‐1–inhibitory IgG in sera from some patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Suzuki Hiroshi , Akama Takao , Okane Masato , Kono Ichiro , Matsui Yoshiki , Yamane Kazuhide , Kashiwagi Heihachiro 
Published: February 2007

AbstractInhibition of interleukin‐1°aL (IL‐1°aL) activity was detected in 7 of 41 serum samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These 7 sera inhibited not only IL‐1°aL–induced endothelial cell adherence to neutrophils, but also IL‐1°bT–induced endothelial cell adherence, although to a lesser extent. These sera showed no influence on tumor necrosis factor–induced endothelial cell adherence. No inhibitory activity was found in 40 sera from normal control subjects. Studies to further examine these effects included gel filtration analysis of 2 of the RA sera. The inhibitory activity was eluted near Mr 158 kd and above Mr 250 kd. Analysis by protein A affinity chromatography showed that IL‐1–inhibitory activity was present in protein A–binding fractions. Purified IgG (by DE‐52 column chromatography) from RA patients was found to be as potent an inhibitor as the protein A–binding fractions, which suggests that the major inhibitory activity in RA sera is attributable to IgG molecules. These purified IgG molecules also inhibited IL‐1–induced proliferation of mouse thymocytes but did not influence IL‐2–dependent proliferation of the CTLL‐2 murine T cell line. The 7 patients whose sera showed IL‐1–inhibitory activity had mild RA and low titers of rheumatoid factor. The findings, taken together, suggest a possible regulatory role of IL‐1–inhibitory IgG in RA disease activity.
Association of HLA–DR5 with recurrent spontaneous abortion in women treated with paternal leukocytes. Possible subclinical autoimmune disease
Authors: Bruce Smith J. , Susan Cowchock F. , Hankinson Barbara , Iftekhar Anwerunisa 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe incidence of pregnancy loss is higher in patients with various autoimmune diseases than in the general population. The causes of recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) are unknown; however, the presence of antinuclear antibodies and other antibodies in some women with RSA who are otherwise healthy suggests the possibility of underlying autoimmune disease. Because autoimmune diseases are often associated with an increased incidence of certain histocompatibility antigens, we examined the occurrence of specific HLA antigens in patients who had been treated for RSA. We found HLA–DR5 to be significantly overrepresented in the patients with RSA who aborted again after treatment with paternal mononuclear cell immunotherapy, compared with the incidence of this phenotype in a control population. Neither antinuclear antibodies nor antilymphocyte antibodies segregated with DR5. However, DR5+ patients who developed antilymphocyte antibodies after immunotherapy were more likely than all other treated patients to experience subsequent abortion (P < 0.01). Our findings suggest the possibility of an underlying autoimmune disease in these women.
Can the provision of information to patients with osteoarthritis improve functional status?. A randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Weinberger Morris , Tierney William M. , Booher Patricia , Katz Barry P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAfter we assessed the functional status of 439 patients with osteoarthritis, we randomly assigned them to 1 of 3 intervention groups or to a control group. The interventions consisted of providing information, and differed only in the method of delivery: by phone, in person at the clinic, or both. Physical health improved (P = 0.02), pain was reduced (P = 0.02), and psychological health improved marginally (P = 0.10) in patients contacted by phone compared with those not contacted by phone. In those contacted only at the clinic, physical health worsened (P = 0.02), but neither pain (P = 0.80) nor psychological health (P = 0.90) differed from the values in patients not contacted at the clinic. We conclude that telephone contact is a useful intervention that can enhance the functional status of patients with osteoarthritis.
Lack of association between scleroderma and types I and III procollagen gene restriction fragment length polymorphisms
Authors: Kratz Lisa E. , Boughman Joann A. , Needleman Barbara White 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRestriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in types I and III procollagen genes were studied in 62 scleroderma patients and 138 healthy controls. Allelic frequencies were determined for each RFLP, and comparisons were made between the 2 populations, stratifying them by race when appropriate. No statistically significant differences were observed for the frequencies of any of the RFLPs studied.
IgG subclasses of antibodies to the collagen‐like region of C1q in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Uwatoko Shu , Mannik Mart 
Published: February 2007

AbstractLow molecular weight C1q‐binding IgG in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus consists of autoantibodies to the collagen‐like region of C1q. In this study, the IgG subclass distribution of these autoantibodies was examined by radial immunodiffusion with polyclonal antibodies specific for each subclass. The purified antibodies to the collagen‐like region of C1q possessed the IgG subclass distribution present in normal serum.
Untrained, unpaid, and unacknowledged: The patient as worker
Authors: Wiener Carolyn 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article considers the patient as the central worker in his or her own care. It traces the history of a concept called “illness trajectory,” explaining how this concept has been questioned, reformulated, and expanded through research among people with chronic illness. The trajectory concept illuminates the manner in which living with a chronic illness imposes on‐the‐job training on the unskilled patient as worker, who must learn to integrate biographical work, illness‐related work, and everyday life work. That this patient work is unpaid renders it invisible to a society accustomed to valuing work only as it is connected to monetary exchange. Finally, by virtue of this invisible dimension, the work patients do remains unacknowledged and unappreciated by the larger society.
Problems in access to benefits and services among persons with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Coulton Claudia J. , Zborowsky Elizabeth , Lipton Judith , Kushner Irving , Moskowitz Roland W. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis exploratory survey of 100 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was conducted (1) to learn about the types and frequencies of disability law‐related problems encountered as a result of having RA, and (2) to assess the respective relationships between the number of disability law‐related problems reported and the patients' sociodemographic and RA disease characteristics. The underlying concern of health care and legal professionals was that the often protracted exclusionary RA diagnostic process and the episodic nature of RA could make it more difficult to establish a precise clinical diagnosis and level of disability. Therefore, patients with RA would encounter difficulties in accessing entitlements and benefits provided under disability laws. The findings from this survey were used to develop a legal manual to empower health care professionals and people with arthritis to take litigative, legislative, social action, and self‐help measures to redress the disability‐law related problems.
Compliance with treatment regimens for pediatric rheumatic diseases
Authors: Rapoff Michael A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractChildren with pediatric rheumatic diseases (PRDsj are required to comply with long‐term treatment regimens that may not have immediate beneficial effects or may be required primarily to prevent further morbidity. As with other chronic disease regimens, compliance can be a significant problem that interferes with treatment efficacy and adequate clinical outcomes. This paper reviews (1 j the prevalence and types of compliance problems in the management of PRDs; (2) patient/family, disease, and regimen /actors that may be associated with treatment noncompliance; and (3) strategies for improving compliance with regimens for PRDs.
Compliance and quality of life: Confessions of a difficult patient
Authors: Liang Matthew H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractNoncompliance has been treated as a deviant behavior. This paper argues that nonadherence is more complex and is the expression of independence and a judgment about the utility of any medical, surgical, or rehabilitation intervention. The quality of one's life is a personally defined concept and so too are the reasons why a patient refuses to do what is recommended. Appropriate health behavior should be thought of as a behavior that meets the person's goals and achieves some mutually definable outcome.
Family stress and coping in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Foxall Martha J. , Kollasch Connie , McDermott Sandra 
Published: February 2007

AbstractStress and coping were examined in a sample of 30 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and their 30 spouses. Two components of stress were measured: concerns and help needs. Results showed a significant agreement between patients and spouses on total concerns. The area of greatest concern for both groups was wondering about the future. The only help need that showed a significant difference between groups was diet and nutrition. Need for information about RA was the greatest need cited by both groups. Patients used significantly more coping strategies than spouses in dealing with RA‐related stressors. Overall, cognitive restructuring was used most often by both groups. The study suggests that RA patients and spouses have similar concerns and help needs, and that while families may have lived with the RA for an extended period of time, health professionals should continuously assess concerns about the future and information needs in these families. The study results also suggest that spouses may need assistance in the use of effective coping strategies.
Improving compliance with prednisone therapy in pediatric patients with rheumatic disease
Authors: Pieper Kathryn B. , Rapoff Michael A. , Purviance Mark R. , Lindsley Carol B. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractCompliance with regimens for pediatric rheumatic diseases is often poor, and few studies have evaluated strategies for improving compliance. This study utilized relatively simple behavioral and educational strategies to improve compliance with prednisone for three patients with pediatric rheumatic diseases (systemic lupus erthematosus and dermatomyositis). These strategies were implemented in a pediatric rheumatology setting and resulted in improved compliance that was maintained at 6‐ and 12‐month follow up. During baseline, patients were found to be overmedicating as well as undermedicating. This study is a systematic replication of an earlier study that demonstrated that behavioral and educational strategies can improve compliance with medications for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It also raises the possibility of overmedicating as a compliance problem to be managed.
Multivariate outcome research in arthritis implications for sample sizes
Authors: Hewett John E. , Anderson Sharon K. , Johnson Cynthia S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPlanning appropriate sample sizes prior to data collection is critical to the overall success of a research project. However, the investigator often encounters practical limitations regarding the number of subjects available. While the literature discusses the various options of analysis of clinical trial data, there is little discussion as to the sample size implications of the statistical method chosen. Since the analysis technique employed affects the required sample size, the investigator should select the analysis that is most appropriate for the data and has the most efficient sample size requirement. This paper addresses the sample size implications of three commonly used methods for comparing two populations when there are two or more outcome measures (multivariate outcome). The concepts and methods are illustrated using a Pain Management Study that was conducted using people with rheumatoid arthritis as subjects.