bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial of Low‐Dose Pulse Methotrexate in Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Willkens Robert F. , Williams H. James , Ward John R. , Egger Marlene J. , Reading James C. , Clements Philip J. , Cathcart Edgar S. , Samuelson Cecil O. , Solsky Marilyn A. , Kaplan Stanley B. , Guttadauria Maria , Halla James T. , Weinstein Arthur 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThirty‐seven patients with psoriatic arthritis were entered into a 12‐week prospective, controlled, double‐blind multicenter trial comparing placebo and oral pulse methotrexate therapy. Methotrexate was given in a dose of 2.5—5.0 mg every 12 hours in 3 consecutive doses per week. A stable background medication program with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs was allowed. Methotrexate was superior to placebo only in physician assessment of arthritis activity and in improvement of the amount of skin surface area with psoriasis. A small but statistically significant rise of serum total bilirubin occurred in the methotrexate‐treated patients. No patients were withdrawn from the study for adverse drug effects.
The Relative Roles of Hydrolases of the Erythrocyte and Other Tissues in Controlling Aspirin Survival in Vivo
Authors: Costello Patrick B. , Caruana Joseph A. , Green Floyd A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe rate of aspirin (acetyIsalicylic acid, ASA) deacetylation to salicylate in vivo determines the availability of the intact molecule for therapeutically important transacetylation reactions. Experiments were carried out to assess the relative contribution of a previously isolated human erythrocyte ASA esterase to the overall hydrolysis rate in vivo, as opposed to similar enzymes in other tissues. In vitro, the rates of ASA hydrolysis were relatively slow in plasma from humans and dogs. The hydrolysis rates were significantly greater in whole blood in dogs, rabbits, and humans. In human and canine whole blood, the rate of hydrolysis correlated positively with hematocrit. In vivo studies with dogs showed that ASA decay rates conform to a 2‐compartment model. After reduction of hematocrit by a mean of 49% in 4 dogs without previous splenectomy, the “availability” of ASA increased. In 4 dogs with previous splenectomy, this measurement was increased even more after comparable hematocrit reduction. In 2 dogs that underwent a sub‐total hepatectomy, ASA availability increased by only 35% and 12.8%, respectively. These results suggest a significant role for the erythrocyte esterase in vivo in the dog and possibly in humans.
Total lymphoid irradiation therapy in refractory rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Brahn Ernest , Helfgott Simon M. , Belli James A. , Anderson Ronald J. , Reinherz Ellis L. , Schlossman Stuart F. , Austen K. Frank , Trentham David E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTwelve patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis were treated with total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) to a total cumulative dose of 3,000 rads. Post‐TLI morbidity/mortality included 8 patients with xerostomia, 4 with weight loss of >10 kg, 3 with loss of 4 or more teeth, 3 with herpes zoster, 4 with bacterial infection that was fatal in 2, 3 with hypothyroidism, 1 with cutaneous vasculitis, and death from myocardial infarction in 1 patient and cardiorespiratory arrest in another. Ten of the patients were reevaluated 15–40 months (mean ± SE, 30 ± 2) after completion of TLI, and significant improvement was noted in several disease parameters including number of swollen joints, duration of morning stiffness, and 50‐foot walking time. Blood lymphopenia and a decrease in helper T cells (T4) were also noted. These data suggest that changes in immunoregulation induced by TLI can produce long‐lasting alterations in rheumatoid arthritis, although adverse effects may limit its efficacy.
The effect of synovial iron on the progression of rheumatoid disease
Authors: Blake D. R. , Gallagher P. J. , Potter A. R. , Bell M. J. , Bacon P. A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSeventeen patients with early rheumatoid synovitis underwent synovial biopsy to assess the interrelationship between both ferritin (the intracellular iron storage protein) and Perls' positive iron (ferric iron in loose combination with protein), on the activity and course of rheumatoid disease. The amount of ferritin was associated to a significant degree with the activity of the disease at the time of biopsy, but showed no relation to the way the disease progressed over the following year. In contrast, the amount of Perls' iron bore no relation to the activity of the disease at biopsy, but its presence was associated with persistent disease. It is argued that this association is direct, that ferritin production may fail in a population of synovial macrophages, and that Perls' ferric iron may either be reduced to the ferrous form and promote the formation of toxic free radical species, or stimulate collagenase and prostaglandin release from synovial macrophages.
Extended haplotypes of chromosome 6 in adult rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Raum D. , Awdeh Z. , Glass D. , Kammer G. , Khan M. A. , Coblyn J. S. , Weinblatt M. , Holdsworth D. , Strong L. , Rossen R. D. , Brewer E. , Yunis E. , Alper C. A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn 46 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) the allele C4B*3 occurred in 6 patients, while among 350 normal controls, it occurred 6 times (P < 0.00002). Among 9 white and 1 black families, each of which had 2 or more members with RA, there were 36 haplotypes associated with RA. An extended haplotype (specific HLA‐B, DR, complotype haplotypes in significant linkage disequilibrium) containing C4B*3: HLA—‐B15, DR4, BF*S, C2*C, C4A*3, C4B*3, was found twice (P < 0.001) among whites with the disease‐associated chromosomes.
Costs and outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Authors: Liang Matthew H. , Larson Martin , Thompson Mark , Eaton Holley , Mcnamara Elizabeth , Katz Robert , Taylor Jennifer 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA prospective descriptive study was done on the direct and indirect costs to ambulatory patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, stratified at study entry by level of function. Measures of health status over a 1‐year period were taken. On a yearly basis, in 1979 dollars, patients spent an average of $147 for arthritis medications, aids, and devices, and $207 for outpatient visits. A small number were hospitalized and incurred an average charge of $245, and an additional $84 for physician fees. In addition to direct monetary costs, patients averaged 6.8 days of restricted activity per month, in some cases so severe as to confine patients to bed for an average of 1.3 days per month. Among students and working patients, 2.5 workdays per month were lost due to arthritis, and 30% reported that they were unemployed or retired because of impaired health. Functional capacity and specific diagnosis on entry to the study were the most important determinants of arthritis‐related expenditures. Both direct and indirect costs varied considerably from the observed average. Twenty percent of patients incurred no costs for arthritis‐related purchases, 42% had no costs for outpatient visits, and 93% had no inpatient costs. Yet for some patients, the financial burden was very high.
Renal vein thrombosis and inferior vena cava thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Mintz Gregorio , Acevedo‐Vázquez Eduardo , Gutiérrez‐Espinosa Gaspar , Avelar‐Garnica Francisco 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPhlebography of the inferior vena cava with selective study of the renal veins was performed in 43 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Inferior vena cava thrombosis (IVCT) or renal vein thrombosis (RVT) was found in 3 of 11 patients (27%) with nephrotic syndrome, in 8 of 13 (61.5%) with previous thrombophlebitis, and in 3 of 4 (75%) with suggestive acute clinical picture. In contrast, none of the 20 control patients with SLE had IVCT or RVT. These results show that SLE patients with thrombophlebitis have a very high risk of developing IVCT or RVT; patients with nephrotic syndrome have a smaller risk. Neither IVCT nor RVT was found in SLE patients without antecedent thrombophlebitis or nephrotic syndrome.
Specificity analysis of monoclonal anti‐DNA antibodies from B6‐1Pr/1Pr mice
Authors: Warren Robert W. , Sailstad Denise M. , Caster Sandra A. , Pisetsky David S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe binding properties of B6‐lpr/lpr anti‐DNA monoclonal antibodies were characterized to evaluate the influence of genetic background on the diversity and specificity of lpr‐induced autoantibody responses. Six anti‐DNA antibodies were produced from fusions with B6‐lpr/lpr mice, while another was obtained from a fusion with a B6‐+/+ mouse immunized with lipopoly‐saccharide. Each antibody bound single‐stranded DNA in preference to double‐stranded DNA, with variation of over 300‐fold in relative binding activities. In terms of binding to a panel of synthetic polynucleotides, each antibody exhibited a unique antigenic specificity. This binding, however, was not dependent on recognition of a unique base or sugar moiety, since individual antibodies bound polymers of dissimilar composition. These results suggest a diversity of binding reactions for B6‐lpr/lpr anti‐DNA antibodies, with a clonal repertoire similar to that of mice from autoimmune backgrounds.
Rheumatoid arthritis and sterile corneal ulceration
Authors: Michels Mary L. , Cobo L. Michael , Caldwell David S. , Rice John R. , Haynes Barton F. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTissue immune effector cells and epithelial surface antigens present in eye tissue of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with sterile corneal ulceration were studied using a large panel of monoclonal antibodies. During periods of active corneal ulceration, conjunctivae and corneas of all RA patients studied contained numerous immune‐associated (Ia) antigen‐positive tissue macrophages. In 4 of 6 patients, conjunctival or corneal T cell infiltrations were present. In 2 patients, a T cell vasculitis was seen in conjunctival tissue. Conjunctival epithelial cells of all 6 RA patients expressed Ia antigens during active corneal ulceration. These data provide evidence for immune‐mediated mechanisms in the pathophysiology of corneal ulceration in RA. Moreover, the expression of Ia antigens by conjunctival epithelial cells may be a useful indicator of disease activity in RA patients with sterile corneal ulceration.
Fibronectin on the surface of articular cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Shiozawa Kazuko , Shiozawa Shunichi , Shimizu Shinichi , Fujita Takuo 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe presence of fibronectin on the surface of articular cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was investigated. Cartilage samples were stained by the immunoperoxidase method using anti‐human fibronectin antibody, and observed under light and electron microscopy. Fibronectin was present on the articular surface in 7 of 8 RA patients. The degree of staining varied greatly among the patients. Five of 8 patients were positive for fibronectin in 50% or more of the cartilage areas studied. In total, fibronectin was observed in 37 of 67 areas examined, giving a 55% positivity in RA. Fibronectin was not observed in cartilage samples of osteoarthritic joints or joints which were not diseased but had undergone trauma. Ultrastructurally, it was observed to be associated with collagen fibrils and amorphous substance in the matrix. The fibronectin‐negative surface of the rheumatoid cartilage was usually thick ultrastructurally, compared with the fibronectin‐positive surface, and the staining for fibronectin roughly correlated with decreased proteoglycans on the surface. The presence of fibronectin in the matrix appeared to be revealed by partial degradation of proteoglycans with proteolytic enzymes in the synovial fluid, as well as by the deposition of fibronectin onto the surface of rheumatoid cartilage. Fibronectin on the articular surface may play an important role in promoting pannus extension onto the articular surface in RA.
Female hormones reduce neutrophil responsiveness in vitro
Authors: Buyon Jill P. , Korchak Helen M. , Rutherford Lorene E. , Ganguly M. , Weissmann Gerald 
Published: February 2007

AbstractNeutrophils were preincubated with 17 betaestradiol and progesterone to determine the effects of these hormones on chemotactic peptide‐stimulated superoxide anion (O2‐) generation and degranulation. At pharmacologic levels 17 beta‐estradiol was more active than progesterone with respect to inhibition of O2‐ generation as well as degranulation. An increase of preincubation time from 5 minutes to 25 minutes increased the percent inhibition. When 17 beta‐estradiol and progesterone were combined at levels which approximate those measured during gestation, there was small but significant inhibition of O2‐ generation. Dexamethasone at equal molar concentration inhibited O2‐ generation only after 25 minutes of preincubation and at no time reached the level of inhibition attained by either of the sex hormones alone. Both estradiol and progesterone at pharmacologic levels significantly inhibited betaglucuronidase and lysozyme release, whereas dexamethasone did not inhibit degranulation despite prolonged preincubation. Neutrophils isolated from women during various phases of the menstrual cycle and during the third trimester of pregnancy did not differ with respect to chemotactic peptide‐stimulated O2‐ generation. These data suggest that inhibition of neutrophil responses requires the continuous presence of pharmacologic levels of estradiol and progesterone.
Generation of C5‐derived peptides and other immune reactants in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Given William P. , Edelson Henry S. , Kaplan Howard B. , Aisen Paul , Weissmann Gerald , Abramson Steven B. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractActivated complement components and immune complexes cause neutrophil aggregation in vitro and in vivo. We have previously demonstrated that sera of patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) provoke the aggregation of normal neutrophils in vitro. In this study the serum or plasma of 4 such patients was fractionated on Sephadex G‐75. In 3 patients neutrophil aggregating activity (NAA) was detectable in fractions which coeluted with reference C5‐derived peptides (estimated molecular radius of 17,000). The activity of these fractions was inhibitable by antibodies to human C5. All patients also had activity that coeluted with reference immune complexes. In addition, material of apparent molecular radius under 12,000 that contributed to the neutrophil aggregating activity of SLE sera was detected. In separate experiments increased levels of C5a desarg were demonstrated during active disease by means of radioimmunoassay. These findings suggest that multiple neutrophil aggregants circulate during the course of active SLE. The formation of intravascular leukoaggregates may contribute to endothelial injury in this disease.
In vitro activation of human chondrocytes and synoviocytes by a human interleukin‐1‐like factor
Authors: Mcguire‐Goldring Mary B. , Meats Judith E. , Wood David D. , Ihrie Earl J. , Ebsworth Nicolette M. , Russell R. Graham G. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMonocytes have been shown to secrete factors which stimulate the destruction of cartilage. Since one of the monocyte products, interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), has been shown to stimulate the release of collagenase and prostaglandin E from synoviocytes, we have investigated whether IL‐1 is also responsible for chondrocyte activation. Purified preparations of IL‐1 derived from human blood monocytes stimulated the production of prostaglandin E and plasminogen activator by human articular chondrocytes. After Sephadex G‐75 chromatography, the lymphocyte‐activating and the chondrocyteactivating activities of IL‐1 eluted together in the regions corresponding to the void volume and to Kav = 0.2—0.3 (Mr 30,000—45,000) and Kav = 0.5—0.65 (Mr 12,000—17,000). The major peak of stimulating activity was the 12,000—17,000 dalton peak. Upon further analysis of the 12,000—17,000 dalton peak by isoelectric focusing, the major peak of lymphocyte‐activating factor activity was recovered at a pI of 6.3 with a minor peak at 4.6—5.3. Similar patterns of activity were observed when the fractions were assayed for the stimulation of the production of prostaglandin E and plasminogen activator by human chondrocytes and of prostaglandin E by human synoviocytes. Treatment of the partially purified lymphocyte activating factor with phenylglyoxal reduced the thymocyte‐stimulating activity 99% and the chondrocyte‐stimulating activity 100%. These results suggest that IL‐1 may stimulate the degradation of connective tissues during inflammation.
The influence of pituitary hormones on adjuvant arthritis
Authors: Berczi Istvan , Nagy Eva , Asa Sylvia L. , Kovacs Kalman 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAdjuvant arthritis was induced in female Fisher rats by injecting their right hind paw with 0.1 ml Freund's complete adjuvant. The development of adjuvant arthritis was inhibited by hypophysectomy and by daily treatment of intact animals with the dopaminergic agent bromocriptine. Adjuvant arthritis developed normally if hypophysectomized or bromocriptine‐suppressed animals were treated with either prolactin or growth hormone. Additional treatment with adrenocorticotropic hormone inhibited this restoration. Treatment of hypophysectomized rats with follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and thyroidstimulating hormone had no effect. These results indicate that prolactin and/or growth hormone are necessary for the development of adjuvant arthritis, whereas adrenocorticotropic hormone has an inhibitory effect.
Serial observations and definition of mononuclear cell infiltrates in avian scleroderma, an inherited fibrotic disease of chickens
Authors: Water Judy Van De , Gershwin M. Eric , Abplanalp Hans , Wick Georg , Mark Klaus Von Der 
Published: February 2007

AbstractUniversity of California, Davis (UCD) line 200 chickens develop an inherited connective tissue disease which includes fibrosis, vascular occlusion, and lymphocytic infiltration of skin, comb, and viscera. To further identify the nature of these features, tissue from both affected and control chickens, aged 7 days to 12 months, was serially examined using hematoxylin‐eosin and Masson's trichrome stain. Mononuclear cell accumulations in skin were simultaneously characterized using mouse anti‐chicken T and B cell specific monoclonal antibodies in a solid‐phase immunoperoxidase assay; the same cells were also examined by direct immunofluorescence with fluoresceinated anti‐chicken IgM and IgG, and stained for esterase and acid phosphatase. At 6 weeks of age, the majority of line 200 chicks manifested dermal fibrosis, cellular infiltrates, and vessel anomalies. In contrast, visceral involvement did not reach maximum incidence until 5 months of age with involvement of small intestine (60%), lungs (60%), and kidneys (65%), and not until 1 year for esophagus (64%), heart (30%), and testes (66%). Moreover, and of particular interest, was the threefold increment of full‐thickness skin biopsies in line 200 birds. The cellular infiltrates in skin, found in 100% of affected line 200 chickens, were positive for B1, a mature B cell marker found on peripheral blood and bursal B cells; the majority of these same cells were found to bear surface IgM but not IgG. These data suggest that this syndrome may result from an alteration in collagen metabolism associated with a mature subpopulation of B lymphocytes.
Histopathology of the rheumatoid lesion
Authors: Bromley Michael , Woolley David E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractHistochemical and ultrastructural techniques were used to examine the cartilage—pannus junction of 49 rheumatoid joints. Whereas 24 showed relatively acellular, fibrous pannus tissue, 25 demonstrated “cellular” junctions with different cell types at sites of erosion. Macrophages and fibroblasts were commonly observed as majority cell types in most specimens, but others showed mast cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, dendritic, or plasma cells as the predominant cell type. Some showed local accumulations of different cell types at sites along each junction. Our findings show that the cellular composition at sites of cartilage erosion varies greatly and suggest that cells are subject to turnover and interchange.
Severe functional declines, work disability, and increased mortality in seventy‐five rheumatoid arthritis patients studied over nine years
Authors: Pincus Theodore , Callahan Leigh F. , Sale William G. , Brooks Arthur L. , Payne Lee E. , Vaughn William K. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSeventy‐five patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were reviewed 9 years after an extensive evaluation which included quantitative measures of functional capacity. These patients had received multiple intraarticular injections of thiotepa with corticosteroids early in their course, but appear demographically and functionally similar to other RA patients who had not received this therapy. Severe morbidity was seen over the 9‐year period in the 55 surviving patients, including significantly lower overall functional capacity in 92% of patients studied, lower grip strength in 93%, and longer button test results in 84%. Work disability occurred in 85% of patients under age 65 who had been working full‐time at disease onset. There was increased mortality at the 9‐year review, similar to most reported series of RA patients from referral centers; however, a significant increase in neoplasia, which was of concern because of the use of intraarticular thiotepa, was not seen. In terms of functional capacity, including responses to questions about ability to perform activities, walking time, and the button test, those patients who had died prior to review had significantly lower baseline values than did those who survived. Of the 75 patients, 20 had died and 51 had lost significant functional capacity over a 9‐year period, documented by quantitative measures of functional capacity.
Characterization of synovial fluid fibronectin from patients with rheumatic inflammatory diseases and healthy subjects
Authors: Carnemolla Barbara , Cutolo Maurizio , Castellani Patrizia , Balza Enrica , Raffanti Stephen , Zardi Luciano 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSynovial fluid fibronectin from normal subjects and from patients who have rheumatic inflammatory diseases has been studied and compared with plasma fibronectin. The average fibronectin concentration in synovial fluids from normal subjects was 172 ± 69 μg/ml; it was 721 ± 315 and 556 ± 349 μg/ml in synovial fluids from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteo‐arthritis, respectively. This is the first report on fibronectin concentrations in normal synovial fluids. Synovial fluid fibronectin from healthy subjects and patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis showed a molecular weight identical to that of plasma fibronectin. All normal and pathologic synovial fluid fibronectins showed a remarkably lower electrophoretic mobility compared with that of plasma fibronectin, when separated according to net molecular charge on agarose gel. Peptides from thermolysin digests of fibronectin from plasma and synovial fluid, when compared on sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, showed distinct differences. These data demonstrate that synovial fluid fibronectin represents a molecular form which is structurally different from that of plasma fibronectin. This suggests that synovial fluid fibronectin is locally synthesized, possibly by a cell type which differs from that responsible for the production of the plasmatic fibronectin pool.