bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Salmonella bacteremia in systemic lupus erythematosus. Eight‐year experience at a municipal hospital
Authors: Abramson Steven , Kramer Sara B. , Radin Allen , Holzman Robert 
Published: February 2007

AbstractNon‐endemic Salmonella bacteremia tends to occur in patients with chronic disease. We reviewed all cases of Salmonella infection documented in adults at Bellevue Hospital during the years 1975–1982. Unexpectedly, the most frequent underlying disease found among bacteremic patients was systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients with SLE accounted for 6 of 30 Salmonella bacteremias as compared with 13 of 2,388 non‐Salmonella gram‐negative bacteremias. Salmonella was the single most frequent gram‐negative isolate from the blood of SLE patients. All lupus patients with Salmonella infection were bacteremic. In contrast, isolates from blood represented only 23% of all Salmonella infections documented in the non‐lupus population. Presentation was characterized by fever (>103°F) and abdominal pain. Four of the 6 patients were hypocomplementemic. All were receiving immunosuppressive therapy. We conclude that SLE patients in a municipal hospital setting are at increased risk for Salmonella sepsis. This should be considered when empiric antibiotic therapy is initiated.
Evolution of primary raynaud's phenomenon (raynaud's disease) to connective tissue disease
Authors: Gerbracht David D. , Steen Virginia D. , Ziegler Gayle L. , Medsger Thomas A. , Rodnan Gerald P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractEighty‐seven patients diagnosed as having primary Raynaud's phenomenon (Raynaud's disease) were reexamined after this symptom had been present for a mean of 8.8 years (range 2.0–34.5). One or more additional clinical feature(s) suggesting an underlying connective tissue disease were found in 12 patients (14%) at first evaluation, and in 23 (26%) by the last evaluation. The most frequent findings were puffy fingers (10 patients), digital tip pitting scars (8 patients), and digital tip ulcerations (6 patients). Distal esophageal hypomotility and/or decreased pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide were found in 12 patients. Only 4 individuals (5%) developed clear evidence of a connective tissue disease, and in all cases, the diagnosis was the CREST (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasias) syndrome variant of systemic sclerosis. This condition became obvious 8–17 years after the onset of Raynaud's phenomenon. One or more serologic test values were initially abnormal in 2 of these CREST syndrome patients, as well as in 12 patients who continued to have primary Raynaud's phenomenon at the last evaluation. The combination of puffy fingers, digital pitting scars, and serum anticentromere antibody, all consistent with CREST syndrome, occurred in a small group of patients. None of the 78 patients whose serologic tests were repeated during followup had a change in the serologic profile. These results suggest that only a small proportion of patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon develop one of the connective tissue diseases during the first decade after onset. When such a disorder does appear, systemic sclerosis with the CREST syndrome variant is the most likely eventual diagnosis.
Plasma follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and sex hormones in patients with gout
Authors: Marinello Enrico , Riario‐Sforza Giuseppe , Marcolongo Roberto 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPlasma levels of follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, progesterone, 17 beta‐estradiol, and cortisol were examined in normal subjects and gout patients under baseline conditions and after clomiphene stimulation. A significant decrease in follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and 17 beta‐estradiol was observed both in male and female gout patients; in the same patients, the plasma testosterone: 17 beta‐estradiol ratio was found to be significantly higher than in control subjects. The changes observed suggest a possible role played by 17 beta‐estradiol in the regulation of purine biosynthesis and uric acid metabolism.
The binding of antihistone antibodies to crithidia luciliae kinetoplasts is growth cycle‐dependent
Authors: Deng Jau‐Shyong , Sontheimer Richard D. , Lipscomb Mary F. , Gilliam James N. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe Crithidia luciliae immunofluorescence (CLIF) assay is widely used to test for native DNA (nDNA) antibodies in the diagnosis and management of systemic lupus erythematosus. However, sera from patients with drug‐induced lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, which should not contain nDNA antibodies, occasionally react with the CL kinetoplast. We examined 36 sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, and drug‐induced lupus erythematosus, who had positive CLIF tests. All 36 sera were also antinuclear antibody‐positive with homogeneous and/or peripheral staining patterns on mouse kidney substrates. After hydrochloric acid extraction of the CL smears to remove histone and other nuclear protein antiges, 14 of the 36 sera no longer produced a positive result on the CLIF test. Ten of these 14 sera again gave a positive CLIF result after the hydrochloric acid‐extracted Crithidia substrate had been reconstituted with purified histone. These studies demonstrated that kinetoplast binding was due to antihistone antibodies in at least 10 of 36 initially CLIF‐positive sera. Antihistone antibodies were then purified with a histone‐affinity column, and these purified antibodies were reactive with CL kinetoplasts. Thus, the CLIF test is not specific for nDNA antibodies. Additional studies using CL from different days of culture indicated that histone antigen expression in the CL kinetoplast was a function of the life cycle of this organism and is most readily detected 2 days after initiation of culture.
Arthroscopy in septic arthritis. Lidocaine‐ and iodine‐containing contrast media are bacteriostatic
Authors: Dory M. A. , Wautelet M. J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPuncture of septic foci is usually performed to determine the responsible bacteria. If contrast medium is used instead of saline to rinse the lesion and to withdraw an adequate bacteriologic specimen, the opacification provides valuable information about the extent of the changes. Since lidocaine is usually used as a local anesthetic when patients undergo this procedure, we tested the in vitro antibacterial effects of lidocaine 1%, as well as those of 2 contrast media—meglumine amidotrizoate and metrizamide—on several bacteria. In particular, we looked at the influence of the concentration of inoculum used and the duration of contact before culture. The contrast media did not significantly affect bacterial growth when contact before culture did not exceed 3 hours. In contrast, lidocaine had a significant antibacterial effect, indicating that it should not enter into contact with the bacteriologic specimen.
Diagnosis‐related group regulations. Implications for the practicing rheumatologist
Authors: Weinberger Morris , Potts Marilyn K. , Brandt Kenneth D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractData from our university hospital on the 2 most common rheumatologic diseases that require hospitalization indicate that total charges for patients admitted with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus break down as follows: room, board, and nursing, 55%; tests/procedures, 30%; drugs, 5%; physical and occupational therapy, 5%; and miscellaneous, 5%. Thus, shortening the length of stay would be the most effective mechanism to reduce total charges. We also found marked heterogeneity in the single diagnosis‐related group containing rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus inpatients under 70 years old who had no comorbid conditions. Planners should be sensitive to this as prospective reimbursement is extended beyond Medicare patients.
Autoantibody specificities of immune complexes sequestered in articular cartilage of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Authors: Jasin Hugo E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTo define autoantibody specificities of immune complexes sequestered in articular cartilage of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, extracts were obtained from articular cartilage specimens from 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 11 patients with osteoarthritis, and 6 normal controls. Radioimmunoassays of the extracts revealed that rheumatoid cartilage contained 37 times more IgM and 14 times more IgG than did normal cartilage extracts. In addition, osteoarthritic cartilage contained 3 times more IgM and IgG than the normal tissues. IgM rheumatoid factor was found in 13 of 16 rheumatoid cartilage extracts but in none of 11 osteoarthritic or 6 normal control extracts. IgG rheumatoid factor was detected in 4 of 7 seropositive rheumatoid but in none of 5 osteoarthritic cartilage extracts. More than 60% of the rheumatoid cartilage extracts were positive for native and denatured collagen II antibodies. Surprisingly, 50% of the osteoarthritic specimens also contained significant titers of collagen antibodies. Similar results were obtained with osteoarthritic menisci extracts. These findings indicate that the immune complexes sequestered in rheumatoid cartilage contain autoantibodies that are probably synthesized locally by cells infiltrating the inflamed synovium. If immune complexes trapped in cartilage play an important role in cartilage damage, our findings would provide a possible pathogenic mechanism that explains the self‐perpetuating and chronic nature of cartilage degradation in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Evidence for intravascular coagulation in systemic onset, but not polyarticular, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Scott J. Paul , Gerber Patricia , Maryjowski Mona C. , Pachman Lauren M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAfter observing a child with systemic onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (S‐JRA) who developed purpura fulminans in association with disseminated intravascular coagulation, with subsequent gangrene and autoamputation, we undertook a prospective study of coagulation parameters in children with JRA. Ten consecutive children with S‐JRA, 10 children with rheumatoid factor‐negative, polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (P‐JRA), and 10 age‐ and sex‐matched controls were studied. Routine coagulation screening tests were performed, as were tests for plasma fibrinopeptide A (a sensitive measure of intravascular thrombin generation), factor VIII‐related antigen (an endothelial cell protein), and platelet factor 4 (a plateletsecreted protein). Our studies suggest that activation of intravascular coagulation is common in systemic onset JRA, but not in rheumatoid factor‐negative, polyarticular disease. The coagulopathy may cause severe morbidity. In addition, marked elevations of plasma factor VIII‐related antigen suggest perturbation of endothelial cells and vascular involvement in S‐JRA, but not in P‐JRA. Normal ranges of platelet factor 4 indicate that intravascular platelet consumption does not occur in either type of JRA, despite the thrombocytosis common in both.
Patterns of antihistone antibody specificity in systemic rheumatic disease. I. Systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, primary sicca syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis with vasculitis
Authors: Bernstein Robert M. , Hobbs Roderick N. , Lea Donald J. , Ward Donald J. , Hughes Graham R. V. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA new fluorimetric assay was used to measure the relative amounts of antibodies to individual nuclear histones in sera from 102 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mixed connective tissue disease, primary sicca syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis with vasculitis. In SLE sera, the predominant responses were to histones H‐1, H‐2B, and H‐3, with marked elevations of binding to H‐1 and H‐2B in one‐third of the patients, and to H‐3 in one‐fourth; antibodies of both the IgG and IgM classes were also detected. In a few SLE sera, the pattern of histone response differed or was restricted to 1 immunoglobulin class. In mixed connective tissue disease, only 2 of 9 sera showed elevated histone binding activity, the response being predominantly to H‐3 in 1 patient and to H‐1 and H‐2B in the other. Binding to H‐2B was also prominent in 2 of 3 patients with primary sicca syndrome. The highest antihistone reactivity and the most heterogeneous response patterns were observed in patients who had rheumatoid arthritis with vasculitis; 6 of 8 of those sera had elevated histone reactivity. In SLE, the highest histone binding results were found among patients with a history of photosensitivity. Histones are closely associated with DNA in the nucleosome, and we speculate that antihistone antibodies could arise as a result of damage to DNA, induced by drugs or irradiation.
Quantitation of the sm nuclear antigen in tissues and activated lymphocytes
Authors: Boyer Cinda M. , Eisenberg Robert A. , Cohen Philip L. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAnti‐Sm antibodies are specific for the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus both in humans and in mice. Because the autoantibody response to this nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle is probably antigen driven, we have quantitated the Sm antigen in cells and tissues, using a highly sensitive and specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The Sm content of several in vitro cell lines was determined to be approximately 1 pg of Sm/cell. We found that murine spleen cells stimulated in vitro with either T cell or B cell mitogens contained up to 10 times more Sm than did unstimulated cells and that they also released increased amounts of Sm. In a survey of organs from several mouse strains, we found that lymphoid tissues had the largest amounts of Sm and that the Sm content of a particular tissue correlated with its DNA content. Increased amounts of Sm in and around activated lymphocytes, as found in systemic lupus erythematosus, may provide a source of antigen for the induction of the anti‐Sm autoantibody.
Assessing physician/patient perceptions in rheumatoid arthritis. A vital component in patient education
Authors: Silvers Ilene J. , Hovell Melbourne F. , Weisman Michael H. , Mueller Mary Rose 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPatient education surveys were completed by 101 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and by 28 rheumatologists to assess and compare patients' reports with physicians' perceptions of patients' needs regarding content, provider, and education program delivery methods. Both groups agreed on the importance of patients' education about arthritis, especially on the topics of medication, physician/patient communication, quackery, and maintaining ambulation. A higher proportion of physicians reported that patient education was needed in psychosocial areas, activities of daily living, sexual concerns, and community resources. Patients sought more education in disease process, diagnostic procedures, and nutrition. Patients rated pharmacists and nutritionists significantly more important as educational sources than did physicians. Both groups reported individual patient/practitioner meetings as the preferred delivery method. Physicians reported group education to be valuable for some psychosocial topics; patients disagreed significantly. Despite considerable consensus, disagreements were evident in the psychosocial area and in the role of allied health professionals. Clarification, understanding, and resolution of these differences should be sought before implementing patient education programs.
The effect of glucocorticoids on bone mass in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Influence of menopausal state
Authors: Als Orla Skibsted , Gotfredsen Anders , Christiansen Claus 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe studied 97 patients with definite or classic rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fifty‐four patients (19 premenopausal women, 25 postmenopausal women, and 10 men) had been treated with low‐dose glucocorticoids for at least 12 months (mean dose <10 mg/day). The remaining 43 patients (15 premenopausal women, 17 postmenopausal women, and 11 men) had been treated with penicillamine, and served as a patient control group. The distal forearm bone mineral content (BMC) was measured in all patients by single photon absorptiometry using 125I, and the total body bone mineral (TBBM) was measured in 61 patients by dual photon absorptiometry using 153Gd. Compared with normal controls, both treatment groups had significantly decreased BMC and TBBM (0.01 < P < 0.001). When the patients were stratified according to pre‐ and postmenopausal state, we found significantly lower BMC and TBBM values in the premenopausal glucocorticoid‐treated women than in penicillamine‐treated women. However, no differences in BMC and TBBM values were found in the corresponding postmenopausal groups. In the premenopausal women treated with glucocorticoids, the duration of treatment and cumulative dose correlated with BMC. No such correlations were found in the postmenopausal women. We conclude that 1) RA is associated with loss of bone mass, 2) systemic glucocorticoid treatment further aggravates the bone loss, 3) in postmenopausal RA patients, the bone loss resulting from menopause and from the disease itself is not accelerated by low‐dose glucocorticoids, and 4) in premenopausal RA patients, however, the bone mass is significantly affected by glucocorticoid treatment. We therefore suggest that these factors be considered when prescribing glucocorticoids, in order to minimize the bone loss.
Cartilage response to mechanical force in high‐density chondrocyte cultures
Authors: Van Kampen G. P. J. , Veldhuijzen J. P. , Kuijer R. , Van de Stadt R. J. , Schipper C. A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractHigh‐density cultures of chick embryonic chondrocytes were exposed to intermittent compressive force (ICF) of physiologic magnitude for 24 hours. Proteoglycan synthesis was significantly increased in chondrocyte cultures exposed to ICF as compared with control cultures. Similar effects were found in explants of epiphyseal cartilage. Proteoglycans extracted with guanidine‐HCI from cultures exposed to ICF aggregated better with hyaluronic acid than did control cultures, as shown by Sepharose 2B gel chromatography. In addition, the amount of non‐extractable proteoglycans was increased in ICF cultures. We conclude that ICF not only increases the synthesis of proteoglycans but also improves the aggregating capacity of proteoglycans and the coherence of proteoglycans with other matrix components. High‐density cultures of epiphyseal chondrocytes provide a suitable model to study the processes involved in the perception of and the subsequent cellular response to compressive force by cartilage.
Induction of chronic polyarthritis in rabbits by hyperimmunization with Escherichia Coli. I. Pathologic and serologic features in two breeds of rabbits
Authors: Aoki Shigehisa , Ikuta Koji , Nonogaki Tsunemasa , Ito Yoshitake 
Published: February 2007

AbstractHyperimmunization of 147 rabbits (outbred Japanese white rabbits and New Zealand white [NZW] rabbits bred in a closed colony) with heat‐killed Escherichia coli 0:14 in Freund's incomplete adjuvant resulted in the animals developing a chronic polyarthritis resembling rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While both Japanese white and NZW rabbits showed a high incidence of the induced arthritis, a higher proportion of NZW rabbits developed the disease, suggesting that genetic influence is important in the development of RA‐like illness. This experimental model may be useful for the study of RA.
Comparative measurement efficiency and sensitivity of five health status instruments for arthritis research
Authors: Liang Matthew H. , Larson Martin G. , Cullen Karen E. , Schwartz Julie A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFive health status instruments were administered in random order to 50 arthritis patients before and after total joint arthroplasty. Relative efficiency and sensitivity in measurement of change in pain, mobility and physical function, social role and social activity, and global health were assessed. The instruments had highly correlated scores, but had differences in certain dimensions. Inter‐instrument differentials were larger for social and global outcomes than for pain or mobility. No single instrument consistently outperformed the others. A method for determining relative efficiency is described.
Relationship between circulating interferon and anti‐interferon antibodies and impaired natural killer cell activity in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sibbitt Wilmer L. , Gibbs Dwayne L. , Kenny Carol , Bankhurst Arthur D. , Searles Robert P. , Ley Kenneth D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractInterferon (IFN) production and response are impaired in a high percentage of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. In addition, elevated serum levels of α‐IFN or anti–α‐IFN antibodies are present in some SLE patients. This study examined the relationship of circulating IFN and anti‐IFN antibodies to the impairment of natural killer (NK) cell function in SLE. All 15 SLE patients studied had measurable circulating α‐IFN, while the normal controls had minimal serum IFN. Neither patient nor control sera contained any detectable anti–α‐IFN activity. However, most of the SLE patients demonstrated defects in NK cell function. Because these defects in NK cell function appeared to be associated with circulating IFN, but not anti‐IFN, antibodies, the effect of prolonged in vitro IFN exposure on NK cell function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was determined. It was found that prolonged exposure to IFN induced both an apparent defect in IFN response and a definite impairment of baseline NK cell function. These results suggest that prolonged elevation of circulating α‐IFN levels could be responsible, in part, for the defects in natural cytotoxicity present in SLE.
Cartilage surface charge. A possible determinant in aging and osteoarthritic processes
Authors: Laver‐Rudich Zahava , Silbermann Michael 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPolycationic labels such as cationized ferritin and colloidal iron were used to evaluate the surface negative charges over the mandibular condyles of ICR mice. The effects of neuraminidase, hyaluronidase, pronase, and collagenase on the binding of cationized ferritin and colloidal iron particles to the condylar articular surface were also studied. The results of this study clearly indicate that the surface area of the cartilaginous condyle is negatively charged and that its composition consists mainly of a collagenous material embedded within a proteinaceous matrix. With age, a substantial decrease in the density of negative charges took place along the surface area and, in particular, in the context of sialic acid residues. It is, therefore, possible that the reduction in cartilage surface charge might be associated with the onset of osteoarthritic changes commonly seen in aging humans and experimental animals.