bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Type C retroviruses of the human T cell leukemia family are not evident in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Boumpas D. T. , Popovic M. , Mann D. L. , Balow J. E. , Tsokos G. C. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractType C retroviruses of the human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV) family have been implicated in immune aberrations observed in patients with leukemias, lymphomas, and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome. We have investigated whether retroviruses of the HTLV family are involved in the etiopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by using 1) an immunoenzymatic assay to measure antibodies to HTLV‐I and HTLV‐III proteins in the sera of 30 patients with SLE, and 2) nucleic acid hybridization techniques (Southern transfer) to detect proviral sequences of HTLV‐I, HTLV‐II, and HTLV‐III in DNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 10 of these patients. Sera from 20 normal individuals served as controls. None of the 30 sera from SLE patients or the 20 sera from normal controls had any detectable antibodies to HTLV‐I or HTLV‐III. Nucleic acid hybridization studies also failed to detect any HTLV proviral sequences. These results suggest that viruses of the HTLV family do not participate in the etiopathogenesis of SLE.
Inhibition by cyclosporin A of streptococcal cell wall‐induced arthritis and hepatic granulomas in rats
Authors: Yocum David E. , Allen Janice B. , Wahl Sharon M. , Calandra Gary B. , Wilder Ronald L. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe investigated the effect of cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of T helper/inducer lymphocyte activation, on the development of streptococcal cell wall‐induced arthritis and hepatic granulomas in female LEW/N rats. Continuous daily treatment with cyclosporin A, begun either 24 hours before or 7–12 days after streptococcal cell wall administration and continued for 6 weeks, resulted in significant inhibition of the chronic proliferative, erosive synovitis and total inhibition of hepatic granuloma formation. When cyclosporin A was stopped at 6 weeks, its effects continued for at least another 5 weeks, demonstrating long‐term benefit without continued administration of the drug. In contrast, therapy given only during the acute phases of the experimental disease (days 1–12) did not inhibit the development of chronic disease. Cyclosporin A had no apparent effects on streptococcal cell wall antigen distribution or persistence in tissues. These data provide additional evidence of an important role for the T helper/inducer lymphocyte in the experimental model and suggest that cyclosporin A may be a useful probe in defining molecular and cellular processes involved in chronic proliferative and erosive synovitis.
Immunoglobulin from systemic lupus erythematosus serum induces interferon release by normal mononuclear cells
Authors: Ramirez Francisco , Williams Ralph C. , Sibbitt Wilmer L. , Searles Robert P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIg fractions from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were tested with cultured normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells for induction of interferon release. Lymphocyte eluates, euglobulins containing IgG and IgM, and IgG or IgM from DEAE or sucrose gradients all induced interferon production. Lymphocytotoxic antibody in SLE sera showed a high correlation with capacity of isolated Ig fractions to induce interferon. Most interferon produced was of the gamma type. Monoclonal SLE IgM antilymphocyte antibody induced interferon synthesis.
Fibronectin in acute and chronic inflammation
Authors: Stecher Vera J. , Kaplan John E. , Connolly Kevin , Mielens Zigurd , Saelens Jeffrey K. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRecent evidence suggests that fibronectin (Fn), a high molecular weight glycoprotein, may be used as an indicator protein in rats with adjuvant‐induced arthritis. Rocket immunoelectrophoresis, using purified goat anti‐rat Fn, provided a specific and sensitive means of measuring plasma Fn in rats during the development of various inflammatory disease states. It was shown that normal rat plasma Fn levels of approximately 400 μg/ml double within 24 hours after injection of adjuvant. Plasma Fn levels in this model of chronic systemic inflammatory joint disease were tracked for more than 4 months and remained significantly higher than normal. On the other hand, a carrageenan‐induced inflammatory response in the pleural cavity of rats resulted in a large local accumulation of leukocytes, but no change in plasma Fn levels. A carrageenan‐induced model of acute inflammation resulted in increased paw swelling within 6 hours and enhanced plasma Fn levels within 24 hours; plasma Fn levels returned to normal within 1 week. Quantitation of plasma Fn levels in the rat may provide a useful biochemical parameter for the study of chronic systemic inflammatory diseases.
A multicenter study of annual health service utilization and costs in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Lubeck Deborah P. , Spitz Patricia W. , Fries James F. , Wolfe Frederick , Mitchell Donald M. , Roth Sanford H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe economic impact of chronic illness has important implications for medical practice and health policy. To determine the yearly costs of illness for those who have rheumatoid arthritis, a detailed, self‐administered questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire was completed by 940 patients. Direct costs (recorded as charges) include the average annual expenditures by all patients and third party payers for: hospital care ($913), physician costs ($206), other health professional visits ($71), medications ($436), laboratory tests ($217), radiographs ($116), assistive devices ($24), and nontraditional therapies ($22). The total annual medical costs per patient were $2,533. In a multivariate analysis that controlled for age, sex, education, and disease duration, the outpatient costs, inpatient costs, and total costs were all positively related to the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (P f < 0.01) and global health (P f < 0.01), but were not associated with self‐reported pain.
Induction of lupus inclusions by sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Rich Steven A. , Owens Timothy R. , Anzola M. Cristina , Bartholomew Lee E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA sensitive in vitro bioassay for the α‐interferon induction of lupus‐type inclusions (LI) has been established with the human B lymphoblastoid cell line, Daudi. Sera from 11 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were evaluated with this assay. LI induction by these sera increased in proportion to their antiviral activity on Madin‐Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells. Two of these sera did not induce LI; they showed no antiviral activity on the MDBK cell assay. Clinically and serologically, their donors were in remission. Two sera induced the formation of LI that exceeded the maximum frequencies obtained with 3 α‐interferon preparations. These sera had the greatest antiviral activities, and their donors had the greatest disease activities. Antisera to α‐interferons prevented the induction of LI with the pure and homogeneous recombinant human leukocyte interferon, IFLrA, and SLE sera. Together, these results provide evidence that the α‐interferon endogenous to SLE patients has a great ability to induce LI, and the SLE serum induction of LI corresponds well to the patient's disease activity.
Bronchiolitis in a rheumatoid arthritis patient receiving auranofin
Authors: O'Duffy J. Desmond , Luthra Harvinder S. , Unni K. Krishnan , Hyatt Robert E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis and sicca symptoms was treated with auranofin. During auranofin therapy, she developed irreversible airways obstruction due to bronchiolitis. Whereas this complication could have been due to her underlying disease, we discuss here the possibility of its being related to the auranofin therapy.
Adult sporadic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia presenting as regional migratory osteoporosis
Authors: Gerster Jean‐C. , Jaeger Philippe , Gobelet Charles , Boivin Georges 
Published: February 2007

AbstractOsteoarticular manifestations associated with adult sporadic renal phosphate diabetes have previously been reported. We describe a 36‐year‐old man with phosphate diabetes who presented with migratory regional osteoporosis of the lower limbs. Our data suggest a cause‐effect relationship between regional migratory osteoporosis and adult phosphate diabetes.
Liposome‐induced synovitis in rabbits: Light and electron microscopic studies
Authors: Choi Sung Jae , Schumacher H. Ralph , Clayburne Gilda , Rothfuss M. Susan , Sieck Marie 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA solution containing synthetic liposomes was injected into rabbit knee joints. This induced light and electron microscopic findings very similar to those seen in acute or chronic arthritis, not attributable to any mechanism other than to spherulites, in humans. Synovial fluid studies revealed leukocytosis and abundant extracellular, and/or intracellular positively birefringent spherulites, which appeared as Maltese crosses. Histologic studies of synovial membranes showed infiltration with polymorphonuclear neutrophils or mononuclear cells. Examination of the synovial fluids and synovial membranes by electron microscopy revealed intracellular multilayered membranous arrays of varying shapes. These observations suggest that further consideration should be given to a phlogistic role for similar spherulites found in some patients.
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome: An unusual mode of presentation of osteomalacia
Authors: Huaux J. P. , Malghem J. , Maldague B. , Devogelaer J. P. , Esselinckx W. , Withofs H. , De Deuxchaisnes C. Nagant 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe report 2 patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) associated with renal tubular osteomalacia. In both patients, RSDS was the presenting manifestation. Treatment of the underlying condition with calcitriol resulted in healing in both patients. These cases prompted us to undertake a retrospective study of 24 consecutive patients with osteomalacia (6 of renal tubular origin, 18 related to vitamin D deficiency), and of 259 consecutive patients with RSDS. Among those with osteomalacia, radiologic lesions strongly suggestive of RSDS were found in 5 patients (21%), 4 of whom had renal tubular defects, and only 1 had vitamin D deficiency. In the group with RSDS, 1 patient (0.4%) was found to have osteomalacia of renal tubular origin. Thus, radiologic findings suggestive of RSDS are frequent in patients with osteomalacia, especially that of renal tubular origin. On rare occasions, the full‐blown clinical picture of RSDS may obscure the diagnosis of osteomalacia.
Cost‐effectiveness of total joint arthroplasty in osteoarthritis
Authors: Liang Matthew H. , Cullen Karen E. , Larson Martin G. , Thompson Mark S. , Schwartz Julie A. , Fossel Anne H. , Roberts William N. , Sledge Clement B. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAlthough total joint replacement (TJR) is a major advance in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis, its cost‐effectiveness has been questioned. We report the results of a study of the costs and benefits of TJR in consecutive osteoarthritis patients, 6 months after the surgery. Health status was measured by the Index of Well‐Being. Costs of services for arthritis were determined by interview and billing records. Six months after TJR, significant improvements were seen in global health and in functional status. The average cost of care for the 6 months prior to TJR was $933. The average cost during the 6 months beginning with the TJR was $22,730 per patient—due almost entirely to costs of surgery. In general, the surgery did not change work status, probably because the mean age of the patients was 66.4 years. There were large effectiveness/cost differential, (the larger the effectiveness/cost differential, the higher the degree of cost‐effectiveness [CE]). At 6 months, for all patients, the CE was associated with initial health status. The highest CE was observed in 10 patients who initially had the poorest health. TJR is more cost‐effective for patients with the most to gain and less effective for those with better preoperative health status.
HLA‐DP antigens in patients with pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Hoffman Robert W. , Shaw Stephen , Francis Lynn C. , Larson Martin G. , Petersen Robert A. , Chylack Leo T. , Glass David N. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe distribution of the recently described HLA‐DP antigens was examined in a population of patients with pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and iridocyclitis, in an attempt to further characterize the immunogenetically determined susceptibility to this disease. There was a significantly increased frequency of the HLA‐DPw2 antigen in the patients compared with the controls (67% versus 34%; odds ratio 3.9, P = 0.003 by Fisher's exact test). Population studies and family studies showed that this association with HLA‐DPw2 was not secondary to linkage disequilibrium with the previously defined HLA‐D region markers of disease (HLA‐DR5 and HLA‐DRw8) in these patients. These data raise the possibility that susceptibility to this form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may be regulated by more than one HLA‐linked gene.
Evidence that interleukin‐1 induction of synovial cell plasminogen activator is mediated via prostaglandin E2 and cAMP
Authors: Mochan Eugene , Uhl Joanne , Newton Robert 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAddition of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin to human synovial cells in culture, at concentrations which completely block prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis, reversibly inhibited the interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) stimulation of cell‐associated and extracellular plasminogen activator (PA) production. Results of mixing experiments suggested that the inhibition by indomethacin was not due to stimulation of production and/or activation of a PA inhibitor, but reflected inhibition of PA synthesis. Simultaneous addition of PGE2 or dibutyryl cAMP prevented the inhibition by indomethacin. Addition of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, theophylline, the adenylate cyclase stimulator, forskolin, or dibutyryl cAMP caused an enhancement of the IL‐1 induction of synovial cell PA. These results suggest that the IL‐1 induction of synovial cell PA occurs via generation of endogenous PGE2 and cAMP.
Wegener's granulomatosis in the elderly
Authors: Weiner Steven R. , Paulus Harold E. , Weisbart Richard H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWegener's granulomatosis is a systemic necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis in which the average age at onset is in the forties. The disease has an excellent response to treatment with cyclophosphamide. We proposed that the tendency to accept multisystem disease in elderly patients (≥60 years old) and a reluctance to administer aggressive therapy would be reflected in the diagnosis and treatment of Wegener's granulomatosis in the elderly, and that as a consequence, the delay in diagnosis and implementation of therapy could result in a needlessly higher morbidity and mortality rate for this population of patients.
Development of severe limited scleroderma in complicated Raynaud's phenomenon after limb immobilization: Report of two cases and study of collagen biosynthesis
Authors: Varga John , Jimenez Sergio A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe describe 2 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon who developed severe sclerodermatous changes after immobilization. The scleroderma was confined to the immobilized limb. Histologic examination of tissue samples of the affected skin showed mononuclear cell infiltrates and marked collagen deposition in the dermis and subcutaneous adipose tissue. In vitro biosynthetic studies demonstrated a dramatic increase in collagen production by cultures of involved skin from one of the patients. These results suggest that immobilization resulted in activation of dermal fibroblasts (perhaps mediated by inflammatory cells) and in the subsequent development of fibrosis in both of these patients.
Rat cytomegalovirus infection enhances type II collagen arthritis in rats
Authors: Smith Charles B. , Griffiths Marie M. , Wei Lian S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe effect of rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) infection on type II collagen‐induced arthritis was studied in DA rats. Rats were infected with RCMV 5 days before, simultaneously with, or 5 days after immunization with calf type II collagen. Control rats were either given type II collagen alone or were injected with normal rat salivary gland (NRSG) simultaneously with collagen immunization. Severity of arthritis in each limb was graded on a scale of 1–4 (maximum score 16). In 5 experiments, peak arthritis scores in the RCMV groups were twice those of the control groups which received NRSG or collagen only (8–9 versus 4–6). Radiographs of involved joints showed greater destruction of cartilage and articular bone in the RCMV rats than in the NRSG control group. Repeated attempts to culture RCMV from joint tissues were unsuccessful. Our results indicate that RCMV infection enhances the arthritic process in this experimental model of an autoimmune arthritis.
Complement activation in synovial fluid and tissue from patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Mollnes Tmo Eirik , Paus Albert 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSynovial fluid (SF) and synovial tissue from 10 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis were examined. The SFs were heterogeneous with respect to the degree of complement activation. Quantification of C3dg and the terminal complement complex revealed a positive correlation between activation of the early and the late parts of the cascade in all patients. The amount of C‐reactive protein and the number of white blood cells in the SF correlated significantly with the degree of complement activation. Weak deposits of C3, C3dg, or terminal complement complex were observed in a few vessels in the synovial tissue from 5 of the patients. There was no correlation between complement activity in SF and in the corresponding tissue. Furthermore, there was no correlation between clinical activity in the joints and the degree of complement activation. It is concluded that there is a discrepancy between synovial tissue and synovial fluid with respect to complement activation. C‐reactive protein may, to some extent, be responsible for activation in SF, and the accumulation of white blood cells may be due to complement activation products.
A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Pinals Robert S. , Kaplan Stanley B. , Lawson Jeffrey G. , Hepburn Bonnie 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSulfasalazine (SSZ), 3 gm daily, was compared with placebo for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, in a 15‐week randomized, parallel, double‐blind trial. Joint tenderness and swelling, morning stiffness, grip strength, and pain score all showed significantly more improvement with SSZ than with placebo. Adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal reactions, led to withdrawal from the study of 28% of the patients who had been receiving SSZ, but these effects were all readily reversible and not life‐threatening. These results confirm previous findings that suppression of rheumatoid synovitis may be induced by SSZ, within 2 months after full maintenance doses are reached.
Modulation of spontaneous immunoglobulin production by natural killer cells in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Tovar Zair , Pope Richard M. , Talal Norman 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSynovial fluid (SF) mononuclear cells obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) spontaneously produce large amounts of immunoglobulin. In the rheumatoid joint, natural killer (NK) cell activity is reduced in comparison with that in the peripheral blood (PB). We examined the ability of SF NK cells to modulate the spontaneous production of Ig in RA SF, and we contrasted this with the activity in PB from RA patients and from normal subjects. We found that the spontaneous production of IgG was greater in RA SF than in RA or normal PB. The baseline NK activity was significantly lower in RA SF than in RA or normal PB (P < 0.005). Incubation with anti‐Leu‐11b and complement reduced NK activity in PB, but not in SF, and it significantly (P ⩽ 0.021) increased IgG production in both RA SF and RA PB. Lysis of NK cells in this manner also resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.02) in IgM production in RA SF. These results suggest that NK cells with a Leu‐11b phenotype down‐regulate the ongoing synthesis of IgG and IgM in the rheumatoid joint.
Linkage studies of hla and rheumatoid arthritis in multicase families
Authors: Walker D. J. , Burn J. , Griffiths I. D. , Roberts D. F. , Stephenson A. M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe linkage of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to the HLA–DR locus was investigated in 17 families with multiple cases of RA. Log odds scores were computed using the Liped program; sibship associations were examined by 2 methods. The results showed a trend toward linkage which was short of significance. The results were similar for patients with classic or definite RA, with or without the inclusion of probable RA patients. The finding of strong association and weak linkage would suggest that it is DR4, itself, that is important in RA.
Inhibitor of interleukin‐2 in rheumatoid synovial fluid
Authors: Miossec Pierre , Kashiwado Takamichi , Ziff Morris , Smith Ashbel 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAlthough large numbers of T cells infiltrate the synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the responses of these cells, as present in the blood and synovial fluid (SF), to exogenous interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) and their production of IL‐2 are diminished. To investigate this functional defect, RA SF were examined for the presence of inhibitors of IL‐1 and IL‐2. A factor was found which inhibited the IL‐2–induced proliferation of mitogen‐stimulated human T cells and the IL‐1–induced proliferation of C3H/Hej mouse thymocytes, but not IL‐1–induced fibroblast proliferation. On AcA 54 Ultrogel filtration, the inhibitory activity resided in a fraction with an apparent molecular weight of >70 kd and a major pI of 6.8. The inhibitory effect of RA SF on lymphocyte proliferation was partially corrected with IL‐2, but not with IL‐1. In the presence of RA SF, normal lymphocytes showed not only a decreased response to exogenous IL‐2, but also a decreased production of IL‐2. The presence of an inhibitor of IL‐2 in RA SF could contribute to the IL‐2–related T cell defects observed in RA.
Assessment of kininases in rheumatic diseases and the effect of therapeutic agents
Authors: Sheikh Iftikhar A. , Kaplan Allen P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBradykinin is degraded in human plasma by a carboxypeptidase to yield desArg9‐bradykinin (DBK) which is then digested by angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) to the pentapeptide Arg‐Pro‐Pro‐Gly‐Phe and the tripeptide Ser‐Pro‐Phe. We have studied the rate of kinin degradation by each of these enzymes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), compared with the degradation rate in degenerative joint disease and normal subjects. Carboxypeptidase activity was the same in all individuals, but ACE activity was increased in the RA and SLE patients. We examined the effects of aspirin, sodium salicylate, auranofin, penicillamine, and corticosteroids on kinin metabolism, and all of these were marked inhibitors of ACE; however, only penicillamine had any demonstrable inhibition of carboxypeptidase. These observations suggest rapid degradation of DBK in patients with untreated RA and SLE, whereas drugs utilized in therapy have the opposite effects. Studies to examine the role of DBK in disease manifestations are in progress.