bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of cartilage matrix protein synthesis in arthritic cartilage
Authors: Okimura Akinobu , Okada Yasunori , Makihira Seicho , Pan Haiou , Yu Li , Tanne Kazuo , Imai Kazushi , Yamada Harumoto , Kawamoto Takeshi , Noshiro Mitsuhide , Yan Weiqun , Kato Yukio 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate whether the synthesis of cartilage matrix protein (CMP) is enhanced in arthritic cartilage.Methods. The content of CMP in human and pig cartilage was determined by immunoblotting, and CMP‐producing chondrocytes in osteoarthritic (OA) and rheumatoid arthritic (RA) joints were immunostained.Results. CMP was undetectable in the condylar cartilage and disc of pigs, whereas it was abundant in the rib and tracheal cartilage of the same animals. By immunohistochemical analysis, CMP was localized in only a few chondrocytes (5%) in normal human joints, whereas numerous chondrocytes (>60%) were immunostained in RA joints. The number of CMP‐producing cells was also increased in OA cartilage (>40%). Immunoblotting analyses confirmed that the CMP content in the cartilage from OA and RA patients was much higher than that in normal cartilage.Conclusion. These findings demonstrate that articular chondrocytes can synthesize CMP, although it is suppressed under physiologic conditions. The results also suggest that articular chondrocytes express CMP in response to arthritic stimuli.
Major role of collagen IIB in the elevation of total type II procollagen messenger RNA in the hypertrophic phase of experimental osteoarthritis
Authors: Matyas John R. , Adams Mark E. , Huang Dinqqiu , Sandell Linda J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To define the relative contributions of procollagen IIA and IIB messenger RNA (mRNA) in the 8‐fold elevation of total (IIA + IIB) type II procollagen mRNA in cartilage from joints with early experimental osteoarthritis (OA).Methods. Unilateral cruciate ligament transection was performed on skeletally mature animals. Total RNA was extracted from articular cartilage from control joints and from joints with experimental OA. Northern blot hybridization with oligoprobes was used to distinguish between types IIA and IIB mRNA.Results. Levels of IIA mRNA were similar in control and experimental cartilage. Type IIB mRNA accounted for the increase in total type II mRNA expression in OA joints.Conclusion. Although OA chondrocytes adapt to making immature forms of aggrecan proteoglycan, they do not revert to the prechondrocyte stage characterized by IIA mRNA expression.
Expansion of unusual CD4+ T cells in severe rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Martens Peter B. , Goronzy Jörg J. , Schaid Daniel , Weyand Cornelia M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. The repertoire of T cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by clonal expansion of selected CD4+ T cells, which are autoreactive and lack the expression of the functionally important CD28 molecule. The goal of this study was to determine the contribution of these unusual lymphocytes to the disease process.Methods. RA patients (n = 108) and normal controls (n = 53) were examined for the expression of CD4+CD28‐ T cells by 2‐color fluorescence‐activated cell sorter analysis. Clinical data were ascertained by retrospective chart review.Results. The frequencies of CD4+CD28‐ T cells displayed a bimodal distribution, defining carriers and noncarriers in normal subjects and RA patients. In longitudinal studies, the noncarrier and carrier phenotypes were stable over time. Carriers of CD4+CD28‐ T cells accumulated in the RA population (64% versus 45%; P = 0.02). The expansion of CD4+CD28‐ T cells correlated with extraarticular involvement, but not with disease duration, antirheumatic treatment, or severity of joint destruction. The patient subsets with nodular disease (P = 0.02) and rheumatoid organ disease (P = 0.04) had the highest proportion of CD4+CD28‐ T cell carriers. The size of the CD4+CD28‐ compartment correlated with extraarticular progression of RA (P = 0.001 in nodular RA, P = 0.003 in rheumatoid organ disease).Conclusion. The bimodality of distribution of CD4+CD28‐ T cell frequencies is compatible with genetic control of the generation of these unusual T cells. In RA patients, CD4+CD28‐ T cells are not an epiphenomenon of the disease process, but predispose patients to developing inflammatory lesions in extraarticular tissues.
Differential effects of aging on human chondrocyte responses to transforming growth factor β. Increased pyrophosphate production and decreased cell proliferation
Authors: Rosen Fred , McCabe Greg , Quach Jacqueline , Solan Joell , Terkeltaub Robert , Seegmiller J. Edwin , Lotz Martin 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To address the influence of age on inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) accumulation in human articular chondrocytes.Methods. Articular cartilage was obtained from men and women in 2 different age groups: ages 15‐55 and 56‐91. The effects of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) on PPi levels in the media and cell lysates of chondrocytes were investigated. In addition, the effects of TGFβ on PPi accumulation were compared with chondrocyte proliferation.Results. TGFβ1 increased PPi levels to a greater extent in chondrocytes from subjects in the older age group compared with those obtained from younger subjects. Treatment of chondrocytes with TGFβ1 led to a similar increase in total intracellular protein in both age groups. Although TGFβ increased nucleoside triphosphate pyrophosphohydrolase activity and decreased alkaline phosphatase activity, these effects did not differ between the 2 age groups. Analysis of the same cell preparations showed an age‐related decrease in TGFβ‐induced chondrocyte proliferation, whereas these same cells showed an increased response with respect to PPi elaboration.Conclusion. These results show that aging differentially affected TGFβ‐induced PPi accumulation versus proliferation in human articular chondrocytes. These differences in TGFβ response are likely to contribute to the development of age‐associated cartilage diseases such as osteoarthritis.
A summary of economic evaluations published in the field of rheumatology and related disciplines
Authors: Ferraz Marcos Bosi , Maetzel Andreas , Bombardier Claire 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIntroduction. The relationship between the effectiveness of health care interventions and their costs is of increasing interest. The goal of the present study was to summarize the economic evaluations (EEs) published in the field of rheumatology and related disciplines, and to focus in particular on methodologic issues.Methods. MEDLINE was searched in order to identify all relevant EEs published between 1966 and February 1995. Titles and abstracts of 1,435 articles were retrieved and independently reviewed by 2 assessors. Overall, 63 articles were identified by either assessor as being definite or possible full EEs (defined as an analysis comparing 2 or more strategies involving the assessment of both costs and consequences), and were assessed independently.Results. Thirty‐six articles were determined to be full EEs (33 cost‐effectiveness and 3 cost‐utility analyses). Most were published in the periods 1984–1990 (31%) and 1991–1995 (61%). Main areas covered were methods of prevention (44%), treatment (31%), and treatment‐prevention (22%). Disorders most frequently studied were osteoarthritis (36%), osteoporosis (22%), and rheumatoid arthritis (14%). Direct and indirect costs were measured or estimated in 100% and 28% of the EEs, respectively. The viewpoint of the analysis was stated explicitly in 12 studies (33%). Incremental and sensitivity analyses were presented in 17 (47%) and 23 (64%), respectively. Inadequate use of economic terms was also documented.Conclusion. The EE articles reviewed adhered partially to basic analytic methods. Economic evaluations in the field of rheumatology need to be improved to comply with current standards for the evaluation of health care interventions.
Association of a new allele of the TAP2 gene, TAP2* Bky2 (Val577), with susceptibility to Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Kumagai Shunichi , Kanagawa Sugayo , Morinobu Akio , Takada Masami , Nakamura Kishiko , Sugai Susumu , Maruya Etsuko , Saji Hiroh 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate the polymorphisms of TAP (transporters associated with antigen processing) genes among patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in order to clarify the potential association of the polymorphisms with disease susceptibility.Methods. Polymorphisms of the TAP1 and TAP2 genes in 108 Japanese SS patients were determined by analyzing TAP genes using the polymerase chain reaction‐single‐stranded conformation polymorphism technique.Results. The allelic frequency of the TAP1 gene was not significantly different between SS patients and normal subjects. In addition to all known TAP2 alleles, a new allele (Bky2), which had a unique substitution at codon 577 (ATG→GTG: Met→Val), was identified in both groups. The allelic frequency of Bky2 was significantly higher in SS patients (12.0%) than in normal subjects (5.1%) (P < 0.05). Moreover, a significantly greater frequency of SS‐A antibody was found among SS patients with Bky2 (18 of 23; 78%) than among those without Bky2 (33 of 85; 39%) (P = 0.001).Conclusion. The mutation in TAP2 (Val577) may be involved in SS‐A autoantibody production and could be a genetic factor that determines susceptibility to SS.
Periosteal new bone formation in a canine neuropathic model of osteoarthritis
Authors: Myers Stephen L. , Brandt Kenneth D. , O'Connor Brian , Widmer William R. , Albrecht Marjorie 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To characterize, for the first time, periosteal new bone formation in a well‐established canine model of accelerated osteoarthritis (OA) with features of neuropathic arthropathy.Methods. Seven dogs underwent left L4‐S1 dorsal root ganglionectomy (DRG), followed 3 weeks later by transection of the anterior cruciate ligament of the ipsilateral knee (ACLT). Eight weeks thereafter, a postmortem examination was performed to assess the severity of cartilage changes of OA and the formation of new bone on the distal femur and proximal tibia in the cruciate‐deficient limb.Results. As described previously, extensive fullthickness ulceration of the articular cartilage was present in the unstable knee of every dog. The femoral shaft immediately proximal to the condyles in the unstable limb was consistently wider (mean ± SD diameter 22.4 ± 2.2 mm) than that in the contralateral limb (19.9 ± 1.3 mm; P = 0.01). Xeroradiography and histologic examination of the distal femur revealed extensive formation of woven bone on the periosteal surfaces of the medial, lateral, and anterior aspects of the femoral shaft in the OA limb of every dog. These bony changes were not seen in radiographs of dogs that underwent DRG with the cruciate ligament left intact (n = 8) or of neurologically intact dogs that underwent ACLT (n = 7) and were examined 24 weeks after surgery.Conclusion. Formation of new periosteal bone on the distal femur and tibia is a feature of this model of accelerated OA that is not seen in the conventional ACLT model of OA in the neurologically intact dog. This observation suggests that interruption of sensory input from the limb may affect the regulation of osteogenesis in the mechanically unstable joint.
P‐31 Magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrates unaltered muscle energy utilization in polymyalgia rheumatica
Authors: Mattei J. P. , Bendahan D. , Erkintalo M. , Harle J. R. , Weiller P. J. , Roux H. , Cozzone P. J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To characterize muscle metabolic anomalies associated with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) using P‐31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).Methods. Seventeen patients with PMR and 9 age‐matched control subjects were investigated. The forearm flexor muscles were examined by P‐31 MRS in a 4.7 T superconducting horizontal magnet (Biospec Bruker 47/30) during a rest‐exercise‐recovery protocol. The intracellular pH and the relative concentrations of phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi), ATP, and phosphomonoesters were measured every minute during the protocol. Based on the PCr and pH timedependent changes during exercise and recovery, the rates of ATP production from PCr hydrolysis, glycogenolysis, and aerobic metabolism were calculated for each minute of exercise.Results. At rest, the metabolic parameters [PCr]: [Pi], pH, and [PCr]:[ATP] were not significantly different between the PMR patients and the control subjects. During exercise, the energetic cost and the contribution of anaerobic and oxidative pathways to energy supply were similar in the 2 groups, as were the recovery kinetics of the phosphorylated compounds and pH.Conclusion. Muscle MRS does not confirm the findings of histologic and biochemical studies that suggest an alteration of mitochondrial function in PMR. No other modifications in glycolytic or glycogenolytic pathways or in proton handling were found that could indicate an alteration of muscle energetics in patients with PMR.
Ribozyme‐based gene cleavage approach to chronic arthritis associated with human T cell leukemia virus type I. Induction of apoptosis in synoviocytes by ablation of HTLV‐I tax protein
Authors: Kitajima Isao , Hanyu Naohiro , Kawahara Koichi , Soejima Yasuko , Maruyama Ikuro , Kubo Toshikazu , Yamada Ryo , Kaneda Yasufumi 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To develop gene therapy for patients with human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV‐I)‐associated arthropathy (HAAP), we investigated the effects of ribozyme‐mediated cleavage of HTLV‐I tax/rex messenger RNA (mRNA) on synovial overgrowth.Methods. We introduced 2 hammerhead ribozymes targeted against HTLV‐I tax/rex mRNA into synovial cells obtained from patients with HAAP and from patients with HTLV‐I‐negative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and examined the ribozyme‐mediated ablation of Tax expression. Using standard methods, we also determined the cells' ability to stop proliferating and to undergo apoptosis.Results. The ribozymes successfully cleaved tax/rex mRNA in HAAP patient synoviocytes. Both tax mRNA expression and Tax protein synthesis were inhibited significantly, resulting in inhibition of synovial cell growth and induction of apoptosis. In contrast, synovial cells from RA patients were not affected.Conclusion. In vitro results suggest that ribozyme‐mediated gene therapy can inhibit the growth of HTLV‐I‐infected synovial cells, which is maintained by Tax protein, in HTLV‐I‐related diseases including HAAP.
Pain management in rheumatoid arthritis: Cognitive behavior modification and transcutaneous neural stimulation
Authors: Bruce James R. , Riggin Carole S. , Parker Jerry C. , Walker Sara E. , Meyer Andrew A. , Wellman Frank E. , Kunce Joseph 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn order to assess the combined effects of cognitive‐behavior modification (CBM) and transcutaneous neural stimulation (TNS) on patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a pilot research project was conducted. An interrupted time‐series design was utilized with subjects serving as their own controls. Eight male rheumatoid arthritis patients were randomly assigned, two subjects each, to one of the following treatment conditions: (1) Cognitive Behavior Modification (CBM); (2) Transcutaneous Neural Stimulation (TNS); (3) CBM followed by a CBM/TNS combination; or (4) TNS followed by a CBM/TNS combination. The dependent measures included a visual analogue scale, grip strength, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and joint evaluations by a rheumatologist blind to the treatment conditions. Regarding self‐reported pain, this study found a slight superiority for the combined TNS/CBM treatments, particularly when the TNS procedures were introduced first. Further research on strategies for maximizing nonpharmacological pain management is recommended.
The N of 1 trials design in the rheumatic diseases
Authors: Giannini Edward H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRecently the N of 1, or single case experimental trial design, has increased in popularity among physicians and therapists interested in assessing the usefulness of a therapeutic modality within a single subject [1, 2]. The techniques are not considered new; single case experimental designs have found acceptance and widespread use for many years in the behavioral sciences [3]. Additionally, experimental physiology and medicine have employed these methods extensively over the last few decades, although there is a relative paucity of articles in the clinical literature that report the results of N of 1 trials. There is a variety of design options possible for N of 1 studies, and the interested reader is referred to Reference 3 for a more comprehensive review of the topic. This paper will review a few of the major design options, with particular attention given to the alternating treatment design (ATD). The advantages and drawbacks of the N of 1 technique, with specific reference to the field of rheumatology, will be the main emphasis.
Ethnicity, self‐care, and use of medical care among the elderly with joint symptoms
Authors: Coulton Claudia J. , Milligan Sharon , Chow Julian , Haug Marie 
Published: February 2007

AbstractElderly individuals with self‐reported joint symp‐toms representing three ethnic groups (i.e., blacks [n = 105], Hispanics[n = 100], and whites of Eastern European origin [n = 112] answered questions about their use of self‐care and medical care for these symptoms. Ethnic groups differed in both self‐care practices and their use of medical care for joint symptoms. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that arthritis‐specific and general health status were better predictors than ethnicity of the tendency to rely on self‐care and medical care. There was no evidence that self‐care served as a substitute for medical care.
Rheumatology algorithms for primary care physicians
Authors: Ambrose Richard F. , Kendall Lee G. , Alarcón Graciela S. , Brown Samuel , Lipstate James M. , Wirtschafter David D. , Jackson James R. , Glass Steven , Rossi Kevin , Margolis Carmi Z. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPrimary care physicians were trained on three rheumatology topics to assess the effectiveness of an educational strategy for continuing medical education. Algorithm training was shown to be at least as effective as that based on standard prose monographs. Both training groups improved their knowledge of patient management skills but there were no statistically significant differences between groups in the amount learned. When algorithms were used to design text materials, the designed texts required less study time than did the annotated clinical algorithms alone. That difference was significant for the shoulder pain materials (P < 0.05) but not for the osteoporosis materials. The ratio of knowledge gained to study time was significantly higher for the algorithm group on the low back pain topic (P < 0.05) but not for the other topics. Taped interview problems tests were studied as a method for assessing patient management skills related to problem‐specific indicator conditions and were found to produce interrater reliability greater than 0.80 on five of the six tests.
Therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions
Authors: Falconer Judith , Hayes Karen W. , Chang Rowland W. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis paper presents a quantitative synthesis of the literature addressing the effectiveness of ultrasound in selected musculoskeletal conditions. Pain and range of motion appear to improve following ultrasound treatment in acute periarticular inflammatory conditions and osteoarthritis, but not in chronic periarticular inflammatory conditions. Placebo response and experimenter expectancy bias can not be ruled out as explanations for the positive results. The literature concerning the therapeutic efficacy of ultrasound for pain and immobility in musculoskeletal conditions is therefore inconclusive. Well‐designed clinical trials are needed to resolve this question.
Pain management in the older adult with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis
Authors: Davis Gail C. , Cortez Cynthia , Rubin Bernard R. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe study's major purpose was to explore the pain management of the older adult with rheumatic disease. Medication, rest, heat, distraction, exercise, and talking with others were methods most often used by older adults (n = 31). Methods identified by them as most helpful included medication, rest, and heat. When the pain management techniques of those adults 65 and over were compared with those of younger adults (n = 51), several differences were noted. The combined number of methods used by the younger group was significantly greater, and they rated relaxation techniques as being significantly more helpful. Increasing the elderly arthritis patient's repertoire of pain management modalities and measuring the ongoing individual effectiveness of the individual and combined methods used are identified as needs to be addressed in improving pain management.
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Authors: Rothschild Bruce 
Published: February 2007

AbstractReflex sympathetic dystrophy, causalgia, Sudeck's atrophy, shoulder—hand syndrome, and transient osteoporosis represent a spectrum of sympathetic disturbances which typically present with regional findings. They are often pauciarticular in distribution and uniquely sensitive to timely therapeutic intervention and to preventative measures. Clinical and radiologic appearances are quite characteristic. Thermographic examination provides a valuable tool for monitoring the therapeutic response. The major factor in therapeutic efficacy is aggressive physical therapy. Although therapeusis has been facilitated by a multitude of agents, therapeutic resistance is unfortunately the circumstance, when intervention is delayed.
Counterpoint: Is patient control of treatment always appropriate?
Authors: Moncur Carolee 
Published: February 2007

AbstractHealth care providers often find tension and even conflict between what they consider is important for the patient to do and what the patient wants or decides to do. The current trend among patients is to assume more autonomy and freedom in the process of their care. Yet situations that commonly arise between the provider and the patient prompt the patient to refuse to accept or acquiesce to the provider's wishes or choices that are perceived by the provider to be in the patient's best interest. Under what circumstances should the provider practice beneficence in the form of paternalism at the expense of the patient's autonomy? This article explores justifiable paternalism and beneficence.