bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in the inflammatory properties of basic calcium phosphate crystals according to crystal type
Authors: Prudhommeaux Florence , Schiltz Corinne , Lioté Frédéric , Hina Ali , Champy Romuald , Bucki Barbara , Ortiz‐Bravo Esteban , Meunier Alain , Rey Christian , Bardin Thomas 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To determine the inflammatory potential of basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystals, which have been identified in human joints.Methods. Hydroxyapatite, carbonate apatite, whitlockite, and octacalcium phosphate crystals were injected in rat air pouches. Volume and cellularity of the exudate were measured. Physicochemical properties of the injected BCP crystals were determined, and correlations with the magnitude of induced inflammatory responses were sought.Results. Significant differences were observed among the volumes and white blood cell (WBC) counts of the pouch exudates, based on the various crystal types used to induce inflammation. A strong correlation was demonstrated between the specific surface (SS) area of the injected crystals and the area under the curve for induced WBC count versus time (R2 = 0.88, P = 0.05). This correlation was observed for SS area values below 50 m2/gm, but when SS area increased further, this parameter plateaued. Another parameter of inflammatory response was obtained by dividing the area under the curve figuring WBC counts versus time by the corresponding SS area for each crystal type. This parameter increased linearly with the Ca:P ratio (R2 = 0.97, P = 0.0003).Conclusion. The inflammatory potential of BCP crystals appeared to vary according to crystal features. SS area and the Ca:P ratio (which correlates with crystal solubility) influenced inflammatory properties. These results could explain the variable clinical consequences of BCP deposits, and must be taken into account in the choice of apatite ceramics for use as biomaterials.
Risk factors for serious infection during treatment with cyclophosphamide and high‐dose corticosteroids for systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Pryor Betty D. , Bologna Saba G. , Kahl Leslie E. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To determine risk factors for serious infection during treatment with cyclophosphamide (CYC) and high‐dose corticosteroids in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods. Records of 100 SLE patients who had received CYC were examined for documentation of serious infections that occurred during CYC therapy and the subsequent 3 months.Results. Infection occurred in 45 of 100 patients during CYC therapy. Patients with infection were more likely to have multiple organ disease (49% versus 29%; P = 0.04), a lower nadir in the white blood cell (WBC) count (2,818 versus 3,558 cells/μl; P = 0.02), and a higher maximum corticosteroid dose (195 versus 73 mg; P ≤ 0.01) than patients without infection. Infection occurred with equal prevalence in those who received intravenous (IV) (39%) or oral (40%) CYC, but was more common with use of sequential IV and oral therapy (68%). By multivariate analysis, the strongest association with infection was a WBC nadir ≤3,000 cells/μl (odds ratio [OR] 2.8, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.4–5.5) and use of sequential IV and oral CYC (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.3). Infection occurred in more CYC‐treated patients taking concomitant steroids than in those treated with high‐dose steroids alone (45% versus 12%; P = 0.001). Fatal and opportunistic infections during CYC therapy were associated with a low WBC nadir and a high maximum corticosteroid dose.Conclusion. The risk of serious infection in patients with SLE is influenced by the inclusion of CYC in the treatment regimen. The likelihood of infection in this setting is enhanced by CYC‐induced reductions in the total WBC count <3,000 cells/μl and by sequential IV and oral therapy. Both of these factors may be indicators of aggressive cytotoxic treatment, underscoring the need for close observation during treatment to minimize the risk of serious infection.
Association of anti–ribosomal P protein antibodies with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Isshi Kunio , Hirohata Shunsei 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. Although it has been reported that anti–ribosomal P protein antibodies (anti‐P) are highly specific for lupus psychosis, there have been discrepancies among the studies regarding the clinical correlation of these antibodies with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The present study was therefore carried out to reappraise the association of anti‐P and neuropsychiatric SLE.Methods. Highly purified synthetic ribosomal P peptides of the carboxyl‐terminal 22‐amino acid sequence were conjugated to human serum albumin (HSA) with the use of glutaraldehyde. Anti‐P in sera from 75 patients with SLE (26 without central nervous system disease [non‐CNS], 28 with lupus psychosis, and 21 with nonpsychotic CNS involvement [nonpsychotic CNS lupus]) were analyzed with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using HSA–ribosomal P peptide conjugates as antigens. Anti‐P levels were quantitated by subtracting the nonspecific binding activities to HSA.Results. The ELISA was found to be specific for anti‐P, as determined by comparison with the results of Western blotting using extracts of HEp‐2 cells. Serum anti‐P levels were significantly elevated in patients with lupus psychosis, including organic brain syndrome and nonorganic psychosis, compared with those with non‐CNS SLE or those with nonpsychotic CNS lupus. There were no significant differences in serum anti‐P levels between patients with organic brain syndrome and those with nonorganic psychosis. Anti–P antibodies were not detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with either lupus psychosis or nonpsychotic CNS lupus.Conclusion. Our results, obtained from the highly specific ELISA using HSA–ribosomal P peptide conjugates, confirm the correlation of serum anti‐P with lupus psychosis. The data also suggest that differences in the purity of the ribosomal P peptides used might be a major reason for the conflicting results in the literature regarding the association of anti‐P with lupus psychosis.
Phagocytic lining cells determine local expression of inflammation in type II collagen–induced arthritis
Authors: van Lent P. L. E. M. , Holthuysen A. E. M. , van den Bersselaar L. A. M. , van Rooijen N. , Joosten L. A. B. , van de Loo F. A. J. , van de Putte L. B. A. , van den Berg W. B. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate the in vivo role of phagocytic synovial lining cells in the local expression of inflammation in type II collagen–induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice.Methods. On various days before arthritis induction (day 7, 5, or 2), phagocytic lining cells were selectively depleted from the synovial layer by injecting multilamellar liposomes containing clodronate (dichloromethylene diphosphonate) directly into the knee joints. As controls, either PBS or PBS‐laden liposomes were injected. CIA was induced by immunizing mice with heterologous bovine type II collagen in Freund's complete adjuvant. Arthritis onset was synchronized by a single intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide; arthritis was evaluated in hematoxylin and eosin–stained knee joint sections. Chemotactic activity in synovial washout samples was detected in a Transwell chemotactic assay. Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) protein levels were measured in NOB‐1 and L929 bioassays, respectively. IL‐1 messenger RNA (mRNA) in synovial specimens was measured by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. IL‐1 was also detected immunohistologically in knee joint sections.Results. In clodronate‐laden liposome–treated, lining‐depleted knee joints, there was significantly decreased inflammation compared with controls. Cell influx into the synovium was markedly decreased. Expression of IL‐1 mRNA in the synovium was significantly reduced. IL‐1 was detected only in some cells in the deeper synovial layer, in contrast to controls, in which large numbers of cells in the deeper synovial layer were stained. In synovial washouts from lining‐depleted knee joints, biologically active IL‐1 levels were reduced by 40% at 6 hours after arthritis induction. Most strikingly, chemotactic activity was highly decreased in these synovial washout samples. When IL‐1 or TNFα was injected into the knee joints of immunized mice in which arthritis was not yet expressed, arthritis was not induced in the lining‐depleted joints, whereas marked cell influx was found in control joints.Conclusion. Our data indicate that phagocytic lining cells play a crucial role in the local expression of inflammation in systemically induced CIA. Phagocytic lining cells probably form an important source of chemotactic factors which are set free upon activation by IL‐1 or TNFα.
Nitric oxide production during adjuvant‐induced and collagen‐induced arthritis
Authors: Cannon Grant W. , Openshaw Scott J. , Hibbs John B. , Hoidal John R. , Huecksteadt Thomas P. , Griffiths Marie M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) production and NO synthase (NOS) induction during adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AIA) and collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) in Dark Agouti rats.Methods. Urinary nitrate excretion and immune NOS (iNOS) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were measured in the joint, lymph node, spleen, and liver tissues following the induction of either AIA or CIA.Results. Urinary nitrate excretion and iNOS mRNA expression increased substantially during joint inflammation in both models of arthritis. However, the increases in urinary nitrate excretion and iNOS mRNA expression observed in the joint, liver, and spleen tissues during AIA were greater than those observed during CIA, although iNOS induction in the lymph nodes was similar for both models. A prior injection with Mycobacterium bovis heat‐shock protein resulted in suppression of arthritis and NO production in AIA, but not in CIA.Conclusion. Differences in NO production during AIA versus CIA are a reflection of the fundamental pathophysiologic differences between these 2 models of arthritis. Thus, NO production in these 2 models could not be merely a nonspecific reaction to the adjuvant injection, nor simply a byproduct of local inflammation in the joint.
A randomized, double‐blind crossover trial of fluoxetine and amitriptyline in the treatment of fibromyalgia
Authors: Goldenberg Don , Mayskiy Michael , Mossey Christopher , Ruthazer Robin , Schmid Christopher 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To study the effect of fluoxetine (FL) and amitriptyline (AM), alone and in combination, in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).Methods. Nineteen patients with FM completed a randomized, double‐blind crossover study, which consisted of 4 6‐week trials of FL (20 mg), AM (25 mg), a combination of FL and AM, or placebo. Patients were evaluated on the first and last day of each trial period. Outcome measures included a tender point score, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale, and visual analog scales (VAS) for global well‐being (1 completed by the physican and 1 by the patient), pain, sleep trouble, fatigue, and feeling refreshed upon awakening.Results. Both FL and AM were associated with significantly improved scores on the FIQ and on the VAS for pain, global well‐being, and sleep disturbances. When combined, the 2 treatments worked better than either medication alone. Similar, but nonsignificant, improvement occurred in the BDI scale, the physician global VAS, and the VAS for fatigue and feeling refreshed upon awakening. Trends were less clear for the tender point score.Conclusion. Both FL and AM are effective treatments for FM, and they work better in combination than either medication alone.
Common occurrence of an antiidiotypic antibody that recognizes T14+ anti‐DNA antibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lim Pak‐Leong , Ng Lawrence W. K. , Leung Danny T. M. , Wong Kong‐Chiu , Song Si‐Yang , Chui Yiu‐Loon , Leung Joseph C. K. , Lai Kar‐Neng , Lui Siu‐Fai 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate whether antibodies to a T14 anti‐DNA antibody can be found in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods. Seventy‐six serum samples (37 from patients with SLE) were randomly selected from among sera submitted for routine antinuclear antibody testing. Short, overlapping peptides based on the partial VH (variable region of the heavy chain) sequence of the T14 antibody were synthesized on multipins and screened for reactivity with SLE sera. In addition, selected peptides from T14 and related proteins were synthesized in bulk and screened for reactivity with both SLE and control sera. A monoclonal antibody was generated to determine the prevalence of the T14 idiotype (T14+ Id) in the different study populations.Results. Antibodies were detected by a peptide based on the third complementarity‐determining region (CDR3) of the T14 protein in 15 (41%) of 37 patients with SLE or 15 (54%) of 28 who had anti‐DNA antibodies, in 3 (9%) of 34 patients without anti‐DNA antibodies (9 of whom had SLE), and in 6 (10%) of 57 healthy controls. In SLE sera, the antiidiotypic (anti‐Id) responses (IgM and IgG) correlated well with the anti‐DNA responses (IgG), and both responses correlated well with the T14+ Id activity in SLE sera. Control peptides based on the 18/2 (16/6+ Id) and S107 proteins detected low antibody activities in SLE sera, attributable to cross‐reactivity with the T14 peptide. A peptide based on an unrelated human antibody was not reactive with these sera.Conclusion. Anti‐Id antibodies directed to T14 VHCDR3 were found commonly in the sera of patients with SLE, and they appeared to be induced by the anti‐DNA antibodies present in the sera. Based on these findings, these secondary antibodies may be pathogenic in SLE.
The effect of prophylactic penicillin treatment on the course of arthritis episodes in patients with Behçet's disease. A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Çalgüneri Meral , Kiraz Sedat , Ertenli Ihsan , Benekli Mustafa , Karaarslan Yaşar , Çelik Ismail 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. Because exposure to streptococcal antigens might be a major disease activity—provoking factor in Behçet's disease, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of benzathine penicillin in the prophylaxis of recurrent arthritis episodes during the course of this disease.Methods. A prospective, randomized study design was used to allocate patients to receive colchicine alone or colchicine plus benzathine penicillin for 24 months.Results. The duration, severity, and pattern of arthritis episodes were found to be similar in the 2 treatment groups, but the number of arthritis episodes was significantly reduced, and the duration of episode‐free time significantly prolonged, in the penicillin group compared with the colchicine‐alone group.Conclusion. Penicillin treatment was demonstrated to offer adjunctive benefits in the prevention of arthritis episodes which are not obtainable with colchicine monotherapy. This finding could provide additional evidence for antigen triggering in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease.
Evidence of qualitatively altered nociception in patients with fibromyalgia
Authors: Bendtsen Lars , Nørregaard Jesper , Jensen Rigmor , Olesen Jes 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate the perception of pain in tender muscles of patients with fibromyalgia.Methods. Twenty‐five women with fibromyalgia and 25 healthy women were examined. Seven different pressure intensities were used to palpate a highly tender muscle and a largely normal muscle. Subjects then recorded their response to induced pain on a visual analog scale. The examiner was blinded to each subject's response.Results. The stimulus‐response function for pressure versus pain recorded for normal muscle was well described by a power function. For highly tender muscle, the stimulus‐response function was displaced toward lower pressures and, more importantly, it was linear, i.e., qualitatively different from that of normal muscle.Conclusion. This study demonstrates that nociception is qualitatively altered in patients with fibromyalgia, which is consistent with recent findings in other patients with tender muscles. The data strongly indicate that fibromyalgic pain, at least in part, is due to aberrant central pain mechanisms.
Similarities of specificity and cofactor dependence in serum antiphospholipid antibodies from patients with human parvovirus B19 infection and from those with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Loizou Sozos , Cazabon John K. , Walport Mark J. , Tait Dereck , So Alex K. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To assess the phospholipid specificity and immunoglobulin isotype of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies in patients with acute parvovirus B19 infection.Methods. Specificity of aPL and isotype distribution in the negatively charged phospholipids, cardiolipin and phosphatidyl serine, and in the neutral phospholipid, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, were measured in the sera of patients with acute parvovirus B19 infections (n = 12), in those with other acute viral infections (n = 10), and in those with syphilis (n = 15) by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. The dependence of anticardiolipin (aCL) binding on the presence of β2‐glycoprotein I (β2‐GPI) as a binding cofactor was assessed in these same groups, and was compared with sera from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (n = 11) with raised aCL antibody reactivity.Results. Antibodies against any of the 3 phospholipids were found in all 3 groups of patients with infections (B19 in 11 of 12 patients, other viral infections in 8 of 10 patients, and syphilis in 14 of 15 patients). B19 patients' sera contained predominantly IgG antibodies against the negatively charged phospholipids, cardiolipin and phosphatidyl serine, and differed in their specificity and isotype distribution from those found in the other 2 patient groups. B19‐associated aCL increased their binding to antigen in the presence of β2‐GPI as a binding cofactor, similar to aCL found in SLE patients, but unlike antibodies from patients with other viral infections or from those with syphilis.Conclusion. The results show the remarkable similarity in specificity of aPL antibodies between B19‐infected patients and SLE patients, and raise the question of whether parvovirus infection may be a trigger for the development of aPL antibodies in autoimmune diseases.
Methotrexate‐associated appearance and rapid progression of rheumatoid nodules in systemic‐onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Falcini Fernanda , Taccetti Giovanni , Ermini Marialisa , Trapani Sandra , Calzolari Anna , Franchi Alessandro , Cerinic Marco Matucci 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRheumatoid nodules are a rare extraarticular manifestation of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), usually detected in patients with polyarticular‐onset disease and positive rheumatoid factor (RF). To date, there has not been a published report of rheumatoid nodules in systemic‐onset JRA. Low‐dose methotrexate (MTX) is generally considered to be the most useful second‐line drug in the treatment of polyarticular JRA. In adult RA, MTX has been shown to be associated with appearance and progression of rheumatoid nodules. This report describes a 3‐year‐old girl with RF‐negative, antinuclear antibody‐negative systemic JRA who developed multiple rheumatoid nodules on the scalp and trunk during MTX therapy. The first nodule developed on the scalp 6 months after MTX treatment was initiated. Previous treatment with azathioprine was not associated with nodulosis. This represents an atypical case of MTX‐associated accelerated nodulosis in systemic JRA, and raises the problem of treatment plan modification in the presence of this side effect.
The arthropathy of fibroblastic rheumatism
Authors: Romas Evangelos , Finlay Moira , Woodruff Timothy 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFibroblastic rheumatism (FR) is a relatively rare syndrome characterized by the association of multiple cutaneous nodules with polyarthritis. The unique histologic finding in the skin and synovium of patients with FR is a proliferation of myofibroblast‐like cells within a background matrix of collagen. The occurrence of erosive arthritis has not been emphasized in previous descriptions of FR. We describe a patient with FR who presented with symmetric polyarthritis, skin thickening, and dermal nodules. Despite treatment with prednisone and D‐penicillamine, he developed a progressive, destructive polyarthropathy that mimicked multicentric reticulohistiocytosis.
Protection of rats from adjuvant arthritis by immunization with naked dna encoding for mycobacterial heat shock protein 65
Authors: Ragno Silvia , Colston M. Joseph , Lowrie Douglas B. , Winrow Vivienne R. , Blake David R. , Tascon Ricardo 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To assess the feasibility of vaccination with naked DNA encoding for mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (hsp65) in the modulation of experimental arthritis.Methods. Adjuvant arthritis (AA) was induced in Lewis rats preimmunized, intramuscularly, with a plasmid encoding for hsp65 (pCMV3.65). Clinical scores were recorded for 3–4 weeks, and histologic and radiologic parameters were evaluated. Cellular and antibody reactivity to hsp65 was assessed. The expression of the hsp65 gene was investigated in injected muscles.Results. The pCMV3.65‐treated rats were significantly protected from disease development in comparison with the control groups. This finding correlated with the results of histologic and radiologic examinations of the involved joints. The message for hsp65 was detected in injected muscles. T cell proliferation and antibodies to this protein were found to be elevated in pCMV3.65‐treated rats when compared with both the arthritic control (AA‐induced) and the naive (did not receive adjuvant) animals.Conclusion. We have demonstrated for the first time that naked DNA delivery is feasible in controlling experimental autoimmune disease. Although the actual mechanism of protection has not been fully elucidated, this simple and versatile approach could represent a useful tool in dissecting basic autoimmune mechanisms.