bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of warfarin sodium therapy on excretion of 4‐carboxy‐L‐glutamic acid in scleroderma, dermatomyositis, and myositis ossificans progressiva
Authors: Moore Sterling E. , Jump Adrien A. , Smiley J. Donald 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe effect of warfarin sodium on excretion of calcium, phosphorus, and 4‐carboxy‐L‐glutamic acid (Gla) was studied in 5 patients with ectopic calcification (2 with scleroderma, 1 with dermatomyositis, and 2 with myositis ossificans progressiva). Warfarin reduced urinary excretion of Gla in all patients, but no changes in calcium and phosphorus excretion or in objective parameters of calcinosis were observed during 6–36 months of treatment. Two patients experienced hemorrhagic complications during therapy, emphasizing a hazard of long‐term anticoagulation treatment. Since ectopic calcium deposits contain Gla‐rich protein, suppression of Gla synthesis by warfarin sodium over a longer period may prevent deposition and allow removal of existing calcinosis deposits.
Evaluation of arthritis self‐management courses led by laypersons and by professionals
Authors: Cohen Judith L. , van Houten Sauter Suzanne , Devellis Robert F. , DeVellis Brenda Mcevoy 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe compared the relative effectiveness of 2 arthritis patient education interventions. One intervention was modeled after that developed by Lorig, whereas the other had similar content but used health professionals rather than laypersons as instructors. Both interventions resulted in an increase in patients' knowledge of arthritis and in their use of exercise compared with a control group that received no intervention. However, neither intervention was any more effective than nonintervention in lessening patients' pain, improving their functioning, enhancing social support systems, lessening their depression, or improving their health behaviors beyond that of exercise. No differences in outcome measures were found between groups led by professional instructors and those led by lay instructors.
Stimulation of neovascularization by human rheumatoid synovial tissue macrophages
Authors: Koch Alisa E. , Polverini Peter J. , Leibovich S. Joseph 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSynovial tissue from patients with rheumatoid arthritis was enzymatically dissociated, and single cell suspensions were fractionated into subpopulations by centrifugation on continuous Percoll gradients. Five fractions (F1–F5) with densities of 0.991–0.998 gm/ml, 0.998–1.042 gm/ml, 1.042–1.062 gm/ml, 1.062–1.082 gm/ml, and 1.082–1.180 gm/ml, respectively, were prepared. F3 consistently contained the highest number of macrophages, while F2 and F4 contained substantially fewer macrophages. Macrophages present in F2, F3, and F4 were enriched by differential adherence to fibronectin‐coated collagen gels. These macrophageenriched cell preparations were found to be Fc and C3 positive, esterase positive, and peroxidase negative, to stain positively with anti‐HLA‐DR, anti‐Leu‐M3, OKM1, and OKM5 monoclonal antibodies, and to show characteristic features of macrophages by electron microscopy. Macrophages from F3 consistently induced neovascularization in rat corneas, while equal numbers of macrophages from F2 and F4 did not. Fibroblastic synovial cells and cells that did not adhere to fibronectin‐coated collagen gels did not induce neovascularization. Within the rheumatoid synovium, there appears to be a major subpopulation of macrophages capable of inducing neovascularization, a process vital to the development of the rheumatoid synovial pannus.
The development of disability in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Sherrer Yvonne S. , Bloch Daniel A. , Mitchell Donald M. , Young Donald Y. , Fries James F. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSix hundred eighty‐one consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis were followed for an average of 11.9 years to identify initial factors that predicted subsequent disability. of 39 potentially predictive variables obtained at study onset and studied by stepwise regression methods, age was found to be the most powerful single predictor of disability, followed by radiologic grade, sex, and initial functional class. The worst prognosis for disability was found in patients who were older women and who showed radiologic worsening and developed functional impairment early in the disease course. Both disability and radiologic progression of disease were found to develop most rapidly during the first years after disease onset and to assume a slow, nearly linear rate of increase after 10 years. Approximately 10% of patients did not develop significant disability. This study suggests that it is possible to identify, early in the disease course, those patients who are likely to develop severe disability, and that “disease‐modifying” therapy might well be initiated earlier in such patients and used consistently throughout the subsequent treatment.
Pulmonary hypertension in the crest syndrome variant of systemic sclerosis
Authors: Stupi Angela M. , Steen Virginia D. , Owens Gregory R. , Barnes E. Leon , Rodnan Gerald P. , Medsger Thomas A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPulmonary hypertension (PHT) occurred in 59 (9%) of 673 systemic sclerosis patients seen between 1963 and 1983. In 30 patients, all with the CREST syndrome (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasias), the pulmonary hypertension was isolated, i.e., independent of other pulmonary or cardiac conditions. In 20 patients, isolated PHT was demonstrated by cardiac catheterization. All had normal or only mildly decreased lung volumes, and mild or no pulmonary interstitial fibrosis on chest roentgenogram. In comparison with 287 CREST syndrome patients without PHT, these 20 patients had markedly reduced diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) (mean 39% of predicted normal). In 6 patients, the low DLco antedated clinical evidence of PHT by 1–6 years. At autopsy there was marked intimal fibrosis with hyalinization and smooth muscle hypertrophy in the small‐ and medium‐sized arteries, without significant parenchymal fibrosis or inflammation. Patients with isolated PHT did not respond favorably to vasodilators and had a very poor prognosis, with a 2‐year cumulative survival rate of 40%. A DLco < 45% of predicted in the absence of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis may be an important predictor of the subsequent development of isolated PHT.
Suppressive effect of Escherichia coli on adjuvant‐induced arthritis in germ‐free rats
Authors: Kohashi Osamu , Kohashi Yukiko , Takahashi Tokutaro , Ozawa Atsushi , Shigematsu Nobuaki 
Published: February 2007

AbstractOur previous finding, that germ‐free F344 rats develop severe adjuvant‐induced arthritis, whereas specific pathogen–free rats develop mild disease, prompted us to investigate the role of bacterial flora in promoting the development of this disease. Germ‐free rats given Escherichia coli experienced disease suppression. Germ‐free rats treated with 3 strains of Lactobacillus experienced an enhancement of the disease, although it was not significant. Germ‐free rats treated with a combination of E coli and lactobacilli had disease suppression similar to that of E coli monoassociated rats. Thus, these findings suggest that E coli may play a dominant role in modulating the development of the disease in this particular strain of F344 rats, possibly through its lipopolysaccharide (as evidenced by positive results on limulus tests). These findings also suggest that microflora play an important role in modifying the development of joint disease.
D‐penicillamine–induced polymyositis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Takahashi Koki , Ogita Tadaatsu , Okudaira Hirokazu , Yoshinoya Sadayoshi , Yoshizawa Hisayoshi , Miyamoto Terumasa 
Published: February 2007

AbstractAmong 329 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with D‐penicillamine (DP), we found 4 cases of polymyositis. This incidence was significantly higher than the expected coincidence of rheumatoid arthritis and polymyositis/dermatomyositis or than the presumed frequency of this complication among patients treated with DP. In the present report, we summarize and discuss the clinical findings in DP‐induced polymyositis/dermatomyositis in our patients and others described in the literature.
Sjögren's syndrome. Proposed criteria for classification
Authors: Fox Robert I. , Robinson Charles A. , Curd John G. , Kozin Franklin , Howelly Francis V. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe term “Sjögren's syndrome” (SS) is frequently used to describe the occurrence of keratocon‐junctivis sicca and xerostomia in association with an autoimmune disorder. However, well‐defined criteria for the classification of SS have not been established, and this diagnosis is being applied to a wide spectrum of conditions, ranging from clear “autoimmune” disease in some patients, to sicca complaints without evidence of a systemic immune process in elderly patients. Here, we review the clinical and laboratory features of patients referred for evaluation of sicca symptoms. In particular, we emphasize the need for care in choosing the site for minor salivary gland biopsy, and we describe the histologic features that aid in the evaluation of these biopsy specimens. In an attempt to identify a population of patients whose conditions might have a common etiopathogenesis and, thus, a common treatment program, we propose the following criteria for a diagnosis of SS: 1) objective evidence of keratoconjunctivis sicca, as documented by rose bengal or fluorescein dye staining; 2) objective evidence of diminished salivary gland flow; 3) minor salivary gland biopsy, obtained through normal mucosa, with the specimen containing at least 4 evaluable salivary gland lobules, and having an average of at least 2 foci/4 mm2; 4) evidence of a systemic autoimmune process, as manifested by the presence of autoantibodies, such as rheumatoid factor and/or anti‐nuclear antibody. The diagnosis of “definite SS” would be made when all 4 criteria are met; the diagnosis of “possible SS” would be made when 3 criteria are present. Specific exclusions for this diagnosis are preexisting lymphoma, graft‐versus‐host disease, sarcoidosis, and acquired immunodeficiency disease. These proposed criteria are more restrictive than are those currently used for diagnosing SS. Future multicenter trials will be required to determine whether these criteria are generally useful. Finally, we emphasize the rheumatologist's role in selecting safe, inexpensive methods of objectively monitoring sicca complaints (i.e., kerato‐conjunctivitis sicca and parotid salivary flow) and in evaluating the results of minor salivary gland biopsy.
Rehabilitation for rheumatoid arthritis patients. A controlled trial
Authors: Spiegel Jane Sinden , Spiegel Timothy M. , Ward Nancy B. , Paulus Harold E. , Leake Barbara , Kane Robert L. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFor 1 year we obtained questionnaire and clinical measures from 2 cohorts of rheumatoid arthritis patients: 49 experimental patients who were admitted for an average of 13 days to a university‐based rheumatology rehabilitation unit, and 43 control patients who received care from rheumatologists associated with another teaching hospital. At 1 year, after controlling for group differences, the experimental patients demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) improvement compared with control patients in several functional status, mental health, and disease activity measures.
Effects of lupus‐inducing drugs on the B to Z transition of synthetic DNA
Authors: Thomas T. J. , Messner Ronald P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFive drugs associated with systemic lupus erythematosus were studied for their effect on the salt‐induced right‐handed (B) to left‐handed (Z) transition of poly(dG‐me5dC) · poly(dG‐me5dC). Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, procainamide and hydralazine were found to reduce the midpoint of B to Z transition from 0.8M NaCl to 0.5M NaCl and to increase the rate of this transition at 1M NaCl. Isoniazid and D‐penicillamine had less effect on the midpoint of transition and practically no effect on the kinetics. N‐acetyl procainamide (a structurally related control for procainamide) and L‐canavanine had no effect. Procainamide caused slight reduction in the helix‐coil transition (melting) temperature of calf thymus DNA. At a concentration of 1:1 (DNA phosphate: drug ratio), procainamide and hydralazine also caused the aggregation of calf thymus DNA. Since altered DNA conformations, such as Z‐DNA, are more immunogenic, these results suggest that the induction or stabilization of Z‐DNA by these drugs might be important in the pathogenesis of at least some cases of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Treatment of al amyloidosis with melphalan, prednisone, and colchicine
Authors: Benson Merrill D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSeven patients with immunoglobulin type (AL) amyloidosis were treated with combination chemotherapy, including melphalan, prednisone, and colchicine. Two patients died within 5 months of the beginning of therapy. Both had amyloid cardiomyopathy. Five patients were alive 17–60 months after the start of therapy, and none had shown progression of disease. The most significant findings were the resolution of the nephrotic syndrome in 2 patients, and improvement of liver function, as demonstrated by excretion of indocyanine green, in 2 patients. These results are encouraging and support the need for further studies of this regimen of combination chemotherapy for patients with AL amyloidosis.
Survival, prognosis, and causes of death in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Mitchell Donald M. , Spitz Patricia W. , Young Donald Y. , Bloch Daniel A. , McShane Dennis J. , Fries James F. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe factors associated with mortality were examined in a prospective longitudinal study, over an average of 12 years, with 94% followup of patients diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis. Of 805 patients, 233 died during the period of the study. Survivorship of rheumatoid arthritis patients was approximately 50% less than that of population controls. Survivorship was decreased by the traditional demographic variables of greater age and male sex; however, a significant independent effect of variables reflecting disease severity (American Rheumatism Association functional class, rheumatoid factor titer, number of involved joints) was identified by multivariate analysis. Seventy‐nine excess deaths (i.e., those that would not have been expected in a control population) were due in part to disease‐related causes, to infections, and to gastrointestinal complications of therapy. Treatment with gold or prednisone did not seem to affect survivorship or cause of death, except for the clustering of deaths of patients with vasculitis within the prednisone group. Our findings indicate that rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic disabling disease, is also associated with a major decrease in survivorship.
Proliferative responses of mononuclear cells in Lyme disease. Reactivity to Borrelia burgdorferi antigens is greater in joint fluid than in blood
Authors: Sigal Leonard H. , Steere Allen C. , Freeman Daniel H. , Dwyer John M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn 27 patients with early Lyme disease, the mean response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to Lyme spirochetal Borrelia burgdorferi antigens (723 counts per minute) was similar to that of control subjects. During convalescence, 2–3 weeks later, the patients' mean response was significantly higher (2,075 cpm, P < 0.008). Compared with those with early disease, the PBMC of 22 patients with Lyme arthritis reacted even more to B burgdorferi (2,923 cpm, P < 0.0004), and, by far, the greatest response was in concomitantly obtained synovial fluid mononuclear cells (15,238 cpm, P < 0.001). The PBMC of patients with early Lyme disease reacted slightly less to phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed mitogen than those of normal control subjects, but patients with arthritis had greater than normal mitogen responses. In contrast, mitogen reactivity among synovial fluid cells was markedly decreased and correlated inversely with the response to antigen. Thus, in patients with Lyme disease, the antigen‐specific responses of mononuclear cells increase as the disease progresses, and in those with arthritis, the greatest reactivity to antigen is found in cells in the inflamed joint.
An animal model of antibody binding in cutaneous lupus
Authors: Lee Lela A. , Weston William L. , Krueger Gerald G. , Emam Mansoor , Reichlin Morris , Stevens James O. , Surbrugg Sandra K. , Vasil Adriana , Norris David A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractTo study antibody binding in cutaneous lupus, we used human skin grafted onto nude mice. By immunofluorescence examination, mice injected with anti‐Ro (SS‐A) sera from subacute cutaneous or neonatal lupus erythematosus patients showed evidence of human IgG deposited in the skin, while mice injected with anti‐native DNA or normal sera did not. We present evidence that there is specific binding of anti‐Ro (SS‐A) antibodies to Ro (SS‐A) antigen in the skin, and we propose that these antibodies may be directly involved in cutaneous disease.
The relationship between ocular and articular disease activity in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and associated uveitis
Authors: Rosenberg Alan M. , Oen Kiem G. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe onset patterns and disease courses of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and uveitis were reviewed to establish correlations. Results indicated that although the disease activity of arthritis and uveitis may at times run a parallel course, it is more common for the activities to be independent.
Methotrexate therapy in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: A retrospective study
Authors: Truckenbrodt H. , Häfner R. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractNineteen selected patients with severe, mostly systemic onset, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis were treated with methotrexate (MTX) for an average of 10.5 months. Twelve patients showed statistically significant improvement, as measured by the number of affected, swollen, tender, and functionally impaired joints, and by decreases in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C‐reactive protein and an increase in hemoglobin level. Systemic manifestations improved in 6 of 8 patients. In 10 children receiving corticosteroids, the dosage was reduced. Seven patients did not respond to MTX therapy. Six of them showed an unchanged disease course, and 1 had a relapse after 4 months of MTX treatments. Probable side effects included gastrointestinal symptoms, elevated liver enzymes, and herpes zoster infection. MTX treatment should be considered for children with life‐threatening or severe disabling arthritis that is unresponsive to other therapy.
Formation of a synovial‐like membrane at the bone‐cement interface: Its role in bone resorption and implant loosening after total hip replacement
Authors: Goldring Steven R. , Jasty Murali , Roelke Merrilee S. , Rourke Carolyn M. , Bringhurst F. Richard , Harris William H. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractHistologic evaluation of tissue surrounding the loosened components after joint replacement reveals the presence of a synovial‐like lining adjacent to the polymethyl methacrylate cement. The tissue is heavily infiltrated with particulate cement as well as polyethylene associated with a foreign body‐type giant cell reaction. That this tissue response may be responsible for the bone lysis associated with loosening is suggested by the demonstration of high prostaglandin E2 levels and enhanced bone resorbing activity in the tissue culture medium of fragments from this membrane.
Inhibition of excessive scleroderma fibroblast collagen production by recombinant γ‐interferon: Association with a coordinate decrease in types I and III procollagen messenger RNA levels
Authors: Rosenbloom Joel , Feldman George , Freundlich Bruce , Jimenez Sergio A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe effects of recombinant γ‐interferon (rec γ‐IFN) on collagen production by confluent monolayer cultures of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) dermal fibroblasts were studied. Five cell lines obtained from patients with rapidly progressive disease of recent onset were examined. All PSS fibroblast cell lines exhibited increased collagen production when compared with normal skin cell lines. It was found that rec γ‐IFN caused potent inhibition of PSS fibroblast collagen production in a concentration‐dependent manner. Greater than 50% inhibition was observed with as little as 50 antiviral units/ml, and maximal effects were attained at a concentration of 500 units/ml. The rec γ‐IFN caused reproducible inhibition of collagen production by the 5 PSS fibroblast cell lines, ranging from 58.9% to 85.6% of control values. Measurement of type I and type III procollagen messenger RNA (mRNA) levels with specific complementary DNA probes demonstrated a coordinate reduction of >60% in mRNA for both transcripts in rec γ‐IFN‐treated cells, compared with control cells. These findings indicate that rec γ‐IFN can modulate the excessive collagen biosynthesis characteristic of PSS fibroblasts and that this effect can be explained largely by the γ‐IFN‐mediated decrease in specific collagen mRNAs.
Treatment of Felty's syndrome with low‐dose oral methotrexate
Authors: Allen Lisa Sherbin , Groff Gerald 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRecent studies of methotrexate in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have precluded patients with neutropenia. We present a patient with rheumatoid arthritis complicated by severe neutropenia and recurrent infections, who was treated with low‐dose methotrexate, orally, for 30 months. The patient experienced symptomatic improvement and a significant increase in granulocyte count, and the dosage of steroids was reduced. Low‐dose oral methotrexate may be a therapeutic option in select patients with Felty's syndrome.
Adult‐type osteopetrosis presenting as carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Rakic Milovan , Elhosseiny Abdelmonen , Ramadan Farouk , Iyer Radha , Howard Rudolph G. , Gross Ludwig 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe describe a patient with adult‐type osteopetrosis presenting as carpal tunnel syndrome. Radiographs demonstrated sclerosis of the carpal bones, bone biopsy revealed wide bone spicules containing areas of cartilage, and electrophysiologic studies confirmed the diagnosis of median nerve entrapment in the carpal tunnel. Any condition which alters the size or shape of the carpal canal or its contents may result in median nerve compression.
Characterization and functional studies of rheumatoid synovial mast cells: Activation by secretagogues, anti‐IgE, and a histamine‐releasing lymphokine
Authors: Gruber Barry , Poznansky Mark , Boss Eleonore , Partin Jacqueline , Gorevic Peter , Kaplan Allen P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMicroscopic analysis of synovial specimens from 35 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 7 patients with osteoarthritis revealed mast cell hyperplasia in perivascular regions, in fibrous interstitial areas, and clustered around the periphery of lymphoid aggregates. Metachromatic staining, immunofluorescence studies, and ultrastructural analysis revealed a single population of connective tissue‐type mast cells with surface IgE receptors. Total extractable histamine of synovial tissue was 4.15 ± 2.30 μg/gm (n = 8) for RA synovium and 0.53 ± 0.23 μg/gm (n = 7) for OA synovium. Mast cell secretion was assessed and specific release of histamine from RA synovial mast cells was observed following stimulation with anti‐IgE (32.3%), compound 48/80 (40.1%), calcium ionophore A23187 (25.2%), and a partially purified lymphokine with histamine‐releasing activity (23.9%).