bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive imaging of e‐selectin expression by activated endothelium in urate crystal–induced arthritis
Authors: Chapman Peter T. , Jamar François , Harrison Andrew A. , Binns Richard M. , Peters A. Michael , Haskard Dorian O. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To assess the expression of the cytokine‐inducible endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule E‐selectin during the evolution of urate crystal–induced arthritis, using a recently described radiolabeled monoclonal antibody (MAb) imaging technique.Methods. Monosodium urate (MSU) crystals and saline alone were injected respectively into the right (inflamed) and left (control) knees of 3 young pigs. Four hours later, 111In‐labeled 1.2B6 F(ab')2 (anti–E‐selectin MAb) and 125I‐labeled MOPC 21 F(ab')2 (control MAb) were injected intravenously. Uptake of 1.2B6 in inflamed and control joints was assessed by scintigraphy 7 and 24 hours after intraarticular injection of MSU crystals. Immunohistochemistry studies and radioactivity counting of tissues were performed postmortem to confirm the observations from scintigraphy.Results. MAb 1.2B6 F(ab')2 scintigraphic images of the knees revealed a significantly increased uptake in the right (inflamed) knee at 7 and 24 hours postinjection, particularly over the joint space. These in vivo images were consistent with E‐selectin expression in the inflamed tissue detected by immunohistochemistry and with radioactivity counts postmortem. The synovial localization ratio (inflamed:control synovium counts) was 25.4 ± 9.7 (mean ± SD) for the anti–E‐selectin MAb compared with 2.5 ± 0.9 for the control MAb (P < 0.05, by paired Student's t‐test).Conclusion. E‐selectin is expressed by synovial endothelium during the evolution of urate crystal–induced arthritis and can be detected noninvasively using a radiolabeled MAb. This E‐selectin imaging technique has considerable potential for the noninvasive assessment of endothelial activation in arthritis and other inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
Combined treatment with terbutaline and aminophylline inhibits experimental amyloidosis in mice
Authors: Brandwein Sydney R. , Sipe Jean D. , Cohen Alan S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate the effects of drugs known to elevate adenosine 3':5'‐cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) on experimental amyloidosis.Methods. A β2‐agonist, terbutaline, and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, aminophylline, were administered in combination in a mouse model of amyloidosis induced by inflammatory stimulation with silver nitrate. Amyloidosis was quantitated by radioimmunoassay for splenic amyloid A (AA) protein.Results. At the doses selected, aminophylline/ terbutaline inhibited splenic amyloid deposition more potently than did colchicine, a known inhibitor of amyloidosis.Conclusion. Drugs known to elevate cAMP inhibit experimental mouse AA amyloidosis.
Serum levels of collagenase, stromelysin‐1, and timp‐1
Authors: Manicourt Daniel‐Henri , Fujimoto Noboru , Obata Ken'Ichi , Thonar Eugene J.‐M. A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To measure serum levels of collagenase (MMP‐1), stromelysin‐1 (MMP‐3), and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases‐1 (TIMP‐1) in normal subjects and in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and to assess how these correlate with biochemical and clinical indicators of disease activity in OA.Methods. Specific immunoassays were used to measure MMPs, TIMP‐1, and antigenic keratan sulfate (KS). The total area of cartilage affected by the disease was measured (expressed as an articular index).Results. In the normal population (n = 118), the serum concentration of MMP‐3, but not of MMP‐1 or TIMP‐1, increased with age and was approximately 2 times higher in males than in females. In the OA patients (n = 33), the serum levels of MMP‐3, but not of MMP‐1 or TIMP‐1, were significantly elevated and correlated strongly with the articular index but poorly with objective and subjective functional capacity scores as well as with serum levels of antigenic KS and systemic parameters of inflammation.Conclusion. These findings illustrate the importance of matching patients and normal controls for age and sex in further studies of MMP‐3 and are consistent with the hypothesis that MMP‐3 might play an important role in the degradation of joint cartilage in OA. Further, serum levels of MMP‐3 may prove useful for monitoring therapy for OA.
Treatment‐free remission in severe systemic lupus erythematosus following synchronization of plasmapheresis with subsequent pulse cyclophosphamide
Authors: Euler Hans H. , Schroeder Johann O. , Harten Pontus , Zeuner Rainald A. , Gutschmidt Hans J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate the effect of an intensified treatment protocol synchronizing plasmapheresis with subsequent pulse cyclophosphamide for severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods. A protocol of plasmapheresis (3 x 60 ml/kg) and subsequent high‐dose pulse cyclophosphamide (36 mg/kg) followed by 6 months of peroral immunosuppression was used to treat 14 patients with severe SLE.Results. Rapid improvement was achieved in all patients. Immunosuppressants, including corticosteroids, were withdrawn at month 6 in 12 patients. Eight patients continued without treatment for a mean observation period of 5.6 years (46–91 months).Conclusion. The results demonstrate that treatment‐free clinical remission can be achieved in some patients with severe SLE.
Outcome of polyarteritis nodosa and churg‐strauss syndrome
Authors: Abu‐Shakra Mahmoud , Smythe Hugh , Lewtas Jody , Badley Elizabeth , Weber Deborah , Keystone Edward 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To compare outcome in patients with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) and patients with Churg‐Strauss syndrome (CSS) followed up at a single center.Methods. A retrospective data review of 13 patients with PAN and 12 patients with CSS who were followed up at a vasculitis clinic. Outcome measures included a global damage index, disability and pain dimensions of the Health Assessment Questionnaire, and mortality rate.Results. Compared with patients with CSS, patients with PAN had a significantly higher mean damage index score (5.15 versus 2.42; P = 0.011), a higher disability score (1.09 versus 0.16; P = 0.007), and a higher pain score (1.04 versus 0.01; P = 0.017). Patients with PAN had more relapses (relative risk = 5.07; P < 0.000) and a higher mortality rate (31%) compared with patients with CSS (8%).Conclusion. PAN and CSS differ in their morbidity and mortality; therefore, they should be considered as distinct clinical entities.
COLCHICINE TREATMENT OF AA AMYLOIDOSIS OF FAMILIAL MEDITERRANEAN FEVER
Authors: Livneh Avi , Zemer Deborah , Langevitz Pnina , Laor Arie , Sohar Ezra , Pras Mordechai 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To elucidate factors possibly influencing the outcome of colchicine therapy in patients with amyloidosis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).Methods. Retrospective analysis of data abstracted from the charts of all 68 FMF patients with amyloidosis who presented during the study period (1974–1992) with proteinuria (≥0.5 gm/24 hours) and creatinine values ≤2.5 mg/dl, received colchicine, and were followed up for ≥5 years.Results. At the end of the study period, kidney disease had worsened in 31 patients and remained stable in 22. Proteinuria had regressed in 15 patients. Deterioration was related to initial serum creatinine values ≥1.5 mg/dl (P ≤ 0.01) and to mean colchicine dosage ≤1.5 mg/day (P ≤ 0.001). The 3 groups were comparable in terms of initial urinary protein levels, duration of proteinuria, presence of hypertension, occurrence of febrile attacks, sex distribution, and proportion of non‐compliant patients.Conclusion. The therapeutic dosage of colchicine for amyloidosis of FMF is >1.5 mg/day. This dosage is effective only in patients with initial serum creatinine levels <1.5 mg/dl.
Role of interleukin‐1, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin‐6 in cartilage proteoglycan metabolism and destruction effect of in situ blocking in murine antigen‐ and zymosan‐induced arthritis
Authors: Loo Fons A. J. Van De , Joosten Leo A. B. , Van Lent Peter L. E. M. , Arntz Onno J. , Van Den Berg Wim B. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To determine the involvement of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL‐6 in the cartilage pathology of murine antigen‐induced arthritis (AIA) and zymosan‐induced arthritis (ZIA).Methods. Arthritis was induced by intraarticular injection of zymosan in naive mice or by subcutaneous injection of methylated bovine serum albumin in sensitized animals. Mini‐osmotic pumps releasing human recombinant IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) protein were implanted intraperitoneally 2 days before arthritis induction, and neutralizing antibodies directed against murine IL‐1α, IL‐1β, TNFα, or IL‐6 were administered 1 day before. Proteoglycan (PG) synthesis and degradation were assessed in patellar cartilage.Results. Murine IL‐1α and IL‐1β injected intraarticularly at doses of 0.1–100 ng suppressed chondrocyte PG synthesis. The highest dose of TNF tested (100 ng) decreased PG synthesis marginally. In contrast, the maximum dose of IL‐6 (1 μg) stimulated PG synthesis 2 days after injection. Treatment of AIA with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against either TNFα or IL‐6 did not reduce either the PG degradation or the suppression of its synthesis. However, treatment with anti‐IL‐1 (α + β) polyclonal antibodies totally prevented PG suppression, although the initial breakdown of PG was unaffected. This effect was confirmed when IL‐1ra was administered in high doses. Moreover, treatment of ZIA with anti‐IL‐1 (α + β), but not with anti‐TNF, resulted in normal PG synthesis, confirming the key role played by IL‐1 in the inhibition of PG synthesis. Treatment of AIA with anti‐IL‐1 did not affect inflammation during the acute phase, but a significant reduction of ongoing inflammation was noted at day 7, and there was a marked reduction in the loss of cartilage PG.Conclusion. The suppression of PG synthesis in both ZIA and AIA in mice is due to the combined local action of IL‐1 (α + β), and neither IL‐6 nor TNF is involved. Moreover, the normalization of PG synthesis brought about by blocking of IL‐1 ameliorates the cartilage damage associated with AIA.
Correlation of soluble adhesion molecules in the peripheral blood of scleroderma patients with their in situ expression and with disease activity
Authors: Gruschwitz Matthias S. , Hornstein Otto P. , Driesch Peter Von Den 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To correlate serum levels of the soluble adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1), E‐selectin, and P‐selectin with (a) clinical disease activity and progression and (b) the in situ expression and distribution of these adhesion molecules in lesional skin, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).Methods. Serum samples from 12 SSc patients and 36 healthy controls were examined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Immunohistologic staining was carried out on cryostat sections of lesional skin.Results. Patients whose SSc was in the early inflammatory stage or who had prominent disease progression showed elevated serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules. Serum levels correlated positively with the expression of these molecules on endothelial cells and fibroblasts in lesional skin.Conclusion. Serum levels of soluble ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1, P‐selectin, and, to a lesser degree, E‐selectin correlate well with their in situ activity and with clinical disease activity. These parameters therefore provide a useful tool for the characterization of disease stage, progression, and prognosis in SSc.
Antigen‐based heteropolymers: a potential therapy for binding and clearing autoantibodies via erythrocyte cr1
Authors: Ferguson Polly J. , Reist Craig J. , Martin Edward N. , Johnson Cyd , Greene Kirsten L. , Kuhn Susan , Niebur Joann , Emlen Woodruff , Taylor Ronald P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To determine if complexes containing monoclonal antibodies to CR1 cross‐linked with antigen (antigen‐based heteropolymers [AHP]) can bind the corresponding autoantibody to primate erythrocyte CR1 and promote autoantibody clearance from the circulation.Methods. AHP were constructed by cross‐linking double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) to monoclonal antibodies to CR1. The ability of AHP to facilitate binding of human anti‐dsDNA antibodies to primate erythrocytes was studied in vitro using a variety of radioimmunoassays (including Farr assays), enzyme immunoassays, and fluorescence‐activated cell sorting. In addition, we used a monkey model to study in vivo the AHP‐mediated clearance of passively infused human anti‐dsDNA antibodies.Results. Large amounts of lupus IgG anti‐dsDNA antibodies can be specifically bound to human erythrocytes via the complexes, and studies in 2 rhesus monkeys indicate that the erythrocyte‐bound antibodies are rapidly cleared from the circulation.Conclusion. This methodology may allow for development of a new therapy to facilitate autoantibody clearance in autoimmune disease.
Serum cytokines in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: correlation with conventional inflammation parameters and clinical subtypes
Authors: Mangge Harald , Kenzian Harald , Gallistl Siegfried , Neuwirth Gudrun , Liebmann Peter , Kaulfersch Wilhelm , Beaufort Friedrich , Muntean Wolfgang , Schauenstein Konrad 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To examine the usefulness of determining extended serum cytokine profiles in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), for the purpose of improving differential diagnosis and monitoring disease activity.Methods. In a 2‐year prospective study, serum levels of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), soluble IL‐2 receptor (sIL‐2R), IL‐6, IL‐8, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and the p55 soluble TNF receptor (sTNFR) were repeatedly determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 40 patients with JRA, 13 patients with postinfectious arthropathies, and 30 healthy controls. The data were compared with conventional parameters of inflammation, such as C‐reactive protein (CRP), iron and hemoglobin levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC) counts, and platelet counts. WBC subsets were analyzed by flow cytofluorometry.Results. At the first visit and at the peak of inflammatory activity according to CRP levels and/or ESR, serum levels of sIL‐2R, IL‐6, and sTNFR in JRA patients correlated significantly with conventional inflammation indicators, whereas IL‐1β, IL‐8, and TNFα did not. No changes in leukocyte subset distribution were noted. Among the different clinical subtypes of JRA, sIL‐2R, IL‐6, and sTNFR values at the time of the initial visit showed a pattern similar to CRP, whereby patients with systemic disease exhibited by far the highest values. TNFα and IL‐1β were variably elevated in certain JRA subtypes. Patients with postinfectious arthropathies showed elevated levels of CRP, sIL‐2R, TNFα, and sTNFR, which did not differ significantly from levels in the various JRA subtypes with the exception of systemic disease. Detailed analysis of types I and II pauciarticular JRA revealed that levels of CRP, IL‐1β, and TNFα were elevated in patients with type I disease. While these parameters were invariably normal in patients with type II disease, sTNFR and sIL‐2R were still found to be significantly elevated. Followup studies suggested that persistently high sTNFR values are a better indicator of JRA activity than are measurements of other cytokines or CRP.Conclusion. JRA is associated with significant and consistent changes in serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and soluble receptors. For the clinical monitoring of JRA, determination of levels of sTNFR, and to some extent sIL‐2R, may be particularly useful, since these determinations yield information about subtype and/or activity of disease that is not available from conventional parameters of inflammation.
A genetic association between juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and a novel interleukin‐1α polymorphism
Authors: Mcdowell Tarra L. , Symons Julian A. , Ploski Rafal , FØRre ØYstein , Duff Gordon W. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. The genetic factors that predispose to the development of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and its complications are not completely understood. The cytokine interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of JRA and other inflammatory diseases. This study was performed to test whether polymorphisms of the IL‐1α gene might be associated with JRA.Methods. We sequenced the 5' regulatory region (containing the promoter) of the human IL‐1α gene in 18 normal subjects. This revealed a C (IL‐1A1) to T (IL‐1A2) transition polymorphism at position ‐889. We studied the frequencies of both alleles in patients with JRA (n = 269) and controls (n = 99).Results. An increased gene carriage of IL‐1A2 was found in patients with early‐onset, pauciarticular JRA (EOPA‐JRA; n = 103) compared with controls (0.66 versus 0.49; P = 0.01, odds ratio [OR] = 2.1). Within this subset of JRA, the association with IL‐1A2 was particularly strong in the patients in whom chronic iridocyclitis developed (n = 28) compared with those without chronic iridocyclitis (0.89 versus 0.57; P = 0.002, OR = 6.2). Within the group of EOPA‐JRA patients, IL‐1A2 was also associated with elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P < 0.0025).Conclusion. This is the first report of a cytokine gene association with JRA, and we conclude that IL‐1α itself, or a gene for which the IL‐1α polymorphism is a marker, may contribute to the pathogenesis of EOPA‐JRA and the ocular complications found in this group.
The prevalence of sexual abuse in women with fibromyalgia
Authors: Taylor Mary Lou , Trotter Dana R. , Csuka M. E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To determine the prevalence of sexual abuse in women diagnosed as having fibromyalgia (FM) compared with controls.Methods. A self‐administered questionnaire designed to obtain information regarding demographics, health care utilization, and history of sexual and physical abuse was completed by 40 women with FM and by 42 women who had no evidence of connective tissue disease or other major medical condition.Results. Women with FM reported more physical symptoms and were significantly different on multiple indices of health compared with controls. Twenty‐six FM subjects (65%) reported sexual abuse, in comparison with 22 controls (52%). The prevalence and type of abuse were not significantly different between groups. Sexually abused FM subjects reported significantly more symptoms than did non‐sexually abused FM women, but did not differ in the number of symptoms for which they sought medical treatment.Conclusion. Sexual abuse does not appear to be a specific factor in the etiology of FM, but is correlated with the number and severity of associated symptoms.
Sexual and physical abuse in women with fibromyalgia syndrome
Authors: Boisset‐Pioro Mathilde H. , Esdaile John M. , Fitzcharles Mary‐Ann 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To determine the prevalence of sexual and physical abuse in female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), as compared with rheumatic disease control patients.Methods. Eighty‐three female FMS patients and 161 consecutive female rheumatology (non‐FMS) control patients answered a standardized confidential questionnaire recording previous sexual and physical abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, and eating disorders. Demographic information was collected on age, education, economic status, and cultural group.Results. Overall abuse was greater in FMS patients than in control patients (53% versus 42%; P not significant). Significant differences were observed for lifetime sexual abuse (17% versus 6%), physical abuse (18% versus 4%), combined physical and sexual abuse (17% versus 5%), and drug abuse (16% versus 3%). There was a trend toward a higher incidence of childhood sexual abuse (37% versus 22%) and of eating disorders (10% versus 3%) in the FMS patient group.Conclusion. A high frequency of sexual abuse was identified both in control patients and in FMS patients. A statistical association was demonstrated between FMS and the frequency and severity of sexual abuse, and the frequency of physical abuse and drug abuse. These results raise the possibility that abuse may have an effect upon the expression and perpetuation of FMS in adult life.
Renal biopsy findings and clinicopathologic correlations in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Helin Heikki J. , Korpela Markku M. , Mustonen Jukka T. , Pasternack Amos I. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective.To evaluate renal biopsy findings and clinicopathologic correlations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods.Retrospective study of renal biopsy specimens from 110 RA patients in whom the clinical renal disease was probably due to RA itself and/or to antirheumatic therapy.Results.The most common histopathologic finding was mesangial glomerulonephritis (GN) (n = 40), followed by amyloidosis (n = 33), membranous GN (n = 19), focal proliferative GN (n = 4), minimal‐change nephropathy (n = 3), and acute interstitial nephritis (n = 1). Amyloidosis was the most common finding in patients with the nephrotic syndrome. In patients with isolated proteinuria, amyloidosis, membranous GN, and mesangial GN were almost equally common. Although mesangial GN was found in almost two‐thirds of the RA patients with hematuria (with or without proteinuria), there still remained a 1 in 5 chance that the biopsy would reveal membranous GN or amyloidosis. Membranous GN was closely related to gold or D‐penicillamine therapies, whereas mesangial GN probably related to RA itself.Conclusion.The renal morphologic lesion in RA patients with isolated proteinuria and those with hematuria cannot be accurately predicted on the basis of clinical symptoms and signs. Biopsy is thus useful in differential diagnosis, assessment of prognosis, and decision‐making with regard to treatment.
Reduced red blood cell deformability in patients with rheumatoid vasculitis improvement after in vitro treatment with dipyridamole
Authors: Lau C. S. , Saniabadi A. R. , Belch J. J. F. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To assess red blood cell deformability (RCD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) without extraarticular manifestations and in RA with vasculitic complications (RV), and to assess whether in vitro dipyridamole improves RCD.Methods. An improved filtration technique was used to measure RCD in 15 patients with RA, 18 patients with RV, and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched normal control subjects. Washed erythrocytes suspended in buffer, at 5% hematocrit, were filtered through 4.7 μ Nuclepore Hemafil PC membranes. The initial steadystate relative filtration pressure (iRFP) was used as an index to assess RCD. A lower iRFP value reflects increased deformability, a higher value reflects a decrease. For each sample, 2 cell suspensions were prepared, one blank (control) and one containing 5 μM dipyridamole.Results. The mean iRFP values of cells obtained from patients with RV were significantly higher than those of cells obtained from normal controls. There were no appreciable differences in iRFP between RA patients and normal controls. When the erythrocytes were pretreated in vitro with 5 μM dipyridamole before filtration, their deformability improved markedly (iRFP values were reduced) in all study subjects, compared with untreated cells.Conclusion. RCD is reduced in patients with RV, and treatment with dipyridamole may be beneficial if reduced RCD contributes to impaired microvascular perfusion.