bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Rapid Assessment of Disease Activity in Rheumatology (Radar) Questionnaire
Authors: Mason John Hayes , Anderson Jennifer J. , Meenan Robert F. , Haralson Kathleen M. , Lewis‐Stevens Donna , Kaine Jeffrey L. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. This study documents the measurement properties of a brief, self‐administered questionnaire of disease signs and symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods. The Rapid Assessment of Disease Activity in Rheumatology (RADAR) questionnaire assesses joint pain/tenderness and clinical status. One hundred ninety‐three pairs of RADAR forms were completed by 45 subjects and their assigned clinician evaluators.Results. Subject—clinician agreement (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC]) for joint pain/tenderness and clinical status ranged from 0.52 to 0.87 (P = 0.0001), with 83% ≥0.65. The ICC for change in joint scores over 6 months was 0.83 (P = 0.0001).Conclusion. The 2‐page RADAR questionnaire produces valid estimates of joint count and clinical status that are sensitive to change.
Linkage Between Rheumatoid Arthritis Susceptibility and the Presence of HLA—DR4 and DRβ Allelic ThIrd Hypervariable Region Sequences in Southern Chinese Persons
Authors: Seglias Jakob , Li Edmund K. , Cohen Michael G. , Wong Raymond W. S. , Potter Paul K. , So Alex K. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To analyze HLA—DR and DQ associations with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients from southern China.Methods. In 66 patients and 45 controls, restriction fragment length polymorphism studies were performed using DRB, DQA, and DQB probes, and DRB allele—specific typing of polymerase chain reaction—amplified DRB DNA.Results. The frequency of HLA—DR4 was significantly increased among RA patients (42.4% versus 17.8%). Increased frequencies of the DQA3 allele (77.8% versus 48.9%) and the DQB1*0302 allele (71.0% versus 46.3%), which are in linkage disequilibrium with DR4, were also found. Oligonucleotide typing showed that the amino acid sequence LLEQRRAA, spanning amino acid positions 67—74 of the DRβ molecule, was found in 19 of 49 patients and 5 of 32 controls. The main DR4 allelic subtypes found in the population were DRB1*0404 and DRB1*0405, both of which carried the sequence. There was no difference in subtype distribution between patients and controls.Conclusion. Chinese RA patients have an increased frequency of HLA—DR4 alleles which possess the same DRB third allelic hypervariable sequence shown to be associated with susceptibility in Caucasian RA patients.
Lack of Superiority of Steroids Plus Plasma Exchange to Steroids Alone in the Treatment of Polyarteritis Nodosa and Churg‐Strauss Syndrome
Authors: Guillevin LOïc , Fain Olivier , Lhote François , Jarrousse Bernard , Huong Du Le Thi , Bussel Annette , Leon Anne 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective.To define the most effective treatment for polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) and Churg‐Strauss syndrome (CSS).Methods.We conducted a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial in which 78 patients were randomly assigned to receive either prednisone and plasma exchange (group A; n = 36) or prednisone alone (group B; n = 42) as first‐line treatment of PAN and CSS. Patients with hepatitis B virus—related PAN were not included in this study. The end point of the study was control of the disease (recovery and remission) or death.Results.Clinical symptoms and laboratory findings did not differ statistically in the 2 groups at study entry. Initial control of the disease was similar in both groups. The assigned treatment was stopped in 16 patients because of lack of efficacy. Oral cyclophosphamide or dapsone therapy reversed the disease evolution in 7 of these 10 group A patients and in 4 of these 6 group B patients. At 7 years of followup, 56 patients had completely recovered (27 in group A, 29 in group B), 7 patients were in clinical remission, and 15 patients had died (19.2%; 6 group A patients and 9 group B patients). The prednisone—plasma exchange combination was no more beneficial than corticosteroids alone in preventing relapses over the long term. There was no significant difference in the 7‐year cumulative survival rates of the two groups (83% and 79%, respectively).Conclusion.Based on our data, we conclude that combined treatment with prednisone and plasma exchange is not superior to treatment with prednisone alone and must not be systematically employed for initial treatment of PAN and CSS. In most cases, cyclophosphamide as second‐line treatment is effective and well tolerated.
Serologic Evaluation of Patients Receiving Procainamide
Authors: Mongey Anne‐Barbara , Donovan‐Brand Rebecca , Thomas T. J. , Adams Louis E. , Hess Evelyn V. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis controlled study examined the characteristics of serologic abnormalities in 52 patients receiving procainamide for cardiac arrhythmias, who had no symptoms of a connective tissue disease. Antinuclear antibodies occurred in 43 patients (83%). Significant elevation of antibody binding to single‐stranded DNA (mean ± SEM 30 ± 2.6%), double‐stranded DNA (13 ± 1.1%), Z‐DNA (optical density 0.54 ± 0.06), and poly A (7.2 ± 0.6%) was seen (P < 0.001). Thirty‐four patients (65.4%) had antibodies to total histones, most frequently, the H2A/2B dimer. IgG antibodies to H2A/2B correlated with the cumulative procainamide dose. One patient subsequently developed drug‐related lupus.
Comparison of auranofin, methotreaxate, and the combination of both in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A controlled clinical trial
Authors: Williams H. James , Ward John R. , Reading James C. , Brooks Raye H. , Clegg Daniel O. , Skosey John L. , Weisman Michael H. , Willkens Robert F. , Singer Joyce Z. , Alarcón Graciela S. , Field Elizabeth H. , Clements Philip J. , Russell I. Jon , Hochman Rodney F. , Boumpas Dimitrios T. , Marble Dwight A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To compare the relative safety and efficacy of auranofin (AUR), metbotrexate (MTX), and the combination of both in the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods. Three hundred thirty‐five patients with active RA were entered into a 48‐week, prospective, controlled, double‐blind, multicenter trial and were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups.Results. Two hundred eleven patients completed the trial. No remissions were seen, and there were no statistically significant differences among the treatment groups in the clinical or laboratory variables measured. Patients taking AUR alone had a slower onset of response than did patients taking MTX alone or in combination. Withdrawals because of adverse drug reactions were slightly more common for those taking combination therapy, but the differences were not statistically significant. Withdrawals because of lack of response were more common for single‐drug therapy, with the difference between AUR and the combination reaching statistical significance. No unexpected adverse drug effects were identified, and all reactions resolved without sequelae.Conclusion. Except for fewer withdrawals because of lack of response, combination therapy did not demonstrate any advantage in efficacy over single‐drug treatment within the time frame of the study.
L‐tryptophan—associated eosinophilic fasciitis prior to the 1989 eosinophilia—Myalgia syndrome outbreak
Authors: Hibbs Jonathan R. , Mittleman Barbara , Hill Paula , Medsger Thomas A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To investigate the relationship between L‐tryptophan (LT) ingestion and eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) occurring prior to the outbreak of eosinophiliamyalgia syndrome in 1989.Methods. Interviews and record reviews of 45 EF case‐patients and 126 polymyositis patients (controls) diagnosed prior to 1988.Results. Nine case‐patients (20%) and no controls recalled taking LT before onset of the disease (odds ratio = ∞, 95% confidence interval = 8.3–∞). Among EF case‐patients, LT ingestion was associated with dyspnea.Conclusion. LT ingestion was associated with EF prior to the 1989 outbreak of eosinophilia‐myalgia syndrome. Lung abnormalities may be a distinguishing feature of LT‐mediated illness.
Nerve growth factor in the synovial fluid of patients with chronic arthritis
Authors: Aloe Luigi , Tuveri Marco A. , Carcassi Ugo , Levi‐Montalcini Rita 
Published: February 2007

AbstractCytokines regulate nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis during inflammatory processes. Since cytokines are also involved in the inflammatory processes of autoimmune rheumatic diseases, we examined levels of NGF in patients with rheumatoid or other types of chronic arthritis. NGF was present in the synovial fluid and synovium of patients with chronic arthritis, but was undetectable in control fluids. We conclude that NGF might be involved in the pathogenesis of arthritis.
A systematic approach to defining the germline gene counterparts of a mutated autoantibody from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Soto‐Gil Rafael W. , Olee Tsaiwei , Klink Brenda K. , Kenny Thomas P. , Robbins Dick L. , Carson Dennis A. , Chen Pojen P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To define the germline counterparts of potentially highly mutated autoantibodies in disease states.Methods. We developed a systematic approach by first characterizing a rearranged Ig gene and its upstream flank, and then designing suitable primers to amplify specifically the putative germline counterpart.Results. We identified and characterized the germline counterpart of a rheumatoid factor heavy chain variable region.Conclusion. We showed unequivocally that the heavy chain of a rheumatoid factor, derived from synovial tissue, has 4 replacement mutations from the corresponding germline gene. The technique allows quick assessment of the degree of somatic mutation in many autoantibodies, and thus can help to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for the induction and sustained production of such antibodies in patients.
High percentage of CD8+, Leu‐7+ cells in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fluid
Authors: Burns Christopher M. , Tsai Van , Zvaifler Nathan J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. While analyzing the phenotype of the synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC) clustered about dendritic cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joint effusions, it was noted that most of the clustering cells were CD8+ and coexpressed Leu‐7. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the frequency of CD8+, Leu‐7+ cells in RA SF.Methods. SFMC from 13 patients with RA and from 12 patients with non‐RA inflammatory arthritides were examined for CD8 and Leu‐7 expression using 2‐color immunofluorescence flow cytometry.Results. RA SFMC had statistically significantly greater percentages of total CD8+ cells, total Leu‐7+ cells, and CD8+, Leu‐7+ cells, compared with SFMC from the non‐RA patients. These RA CD8+, Leu‐7+ SFMC had a distinctive electron microscopic appearance compared with CD8+, Leu‐7– SFMC. When peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 31 RA patients (including 7 from the SFMC group) were compared with PBMC from 15 normal controls, the percentage of CD8+, Leu‐7+ cells was not significantly greater in the RA patients. However, the combination of a modest increase in CD8+, Leu‐7+ cells and a decrease in total CD8 cells in RA PBMC altered the composition of the RA CD8 population compared with normal PBMC, such that over 40% of RA peripheral blood CD8 cells coexpressed Leu‐7.Conclusion. The increased frequency of CD8+, Leu‐7+ cells in RA SFMC may arise from the fact that a high percentage of the CD8+ PBMC in RA patients are also Leu‐7+. This altered composition of CD8 cells in RA SF may have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Reduction of the severity of canine osteoarthritis by prophylactic treatment with oral doxycycline
Authors: Yu Lucino P. , Smith Gerald N. , Brandt Kenneth D. , Myers Stephen L. , O'Connor Brian L. , Brandt David A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. In vitro studies have indicated that levels of neutral metalloproteinases in osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage are elevated and that doxycycline (doxy) inhibits collagenolytic and gelatinolytic activity in extracts of OA cartilage. The purpose of the present study was to test the effect of oral doxy administration on the severity of cartilage degeneration in OA.Methods. OA was induced in 12 adult mongrel dogs by transection of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) 2 weeks after dorsal root ganglionectomy. Six dogs received doxy orally from the day after ACL transection until they were killed 8 weeks later; the other 6 served as untreated OA controls.Results. The unstable knee of each untreated dog exhibited extensive full‐thickness cartilage ulceration of the medial femoral condyle. In sharp contrast, cartilage on the distal aspect of the femoral condyle of the unstable knee was grossly normal in 2 doxy‐treated dogs, and exhibited only thinning and/or surface irregularity in the others. Degenerative cartilage lesions on the medial trochlear ridge, superficial fibrillation of the medial tibial plateau, and osteophytosis were, however, unaffected by doxy treatment. Collagenolytic activity and gelatinolytic activity in cartilage extracts from OA knees of untreated dogs were 5‐fold and 4‐fold greater, respectively, than in extracts from dogs given doxy.Conclusion. Prophylactic administration of doxy markedly reduced the severity of OA in weight‐bearing regions of the medial femoral condyle. It remains to be determined whether administration of doxy after OA changes have developed is also effective.
Increased levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors in the sera and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatic diseases
Authors: Cope Andrew P. , Gibbons Deena , Brennan Fionula M. , Feldmann Marc , Aderka Dan , Doherty Michael , Jones Adrian C. , Engelmann Hartmut , Wallach David , Maini Ravinder N. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. Recently, 2 classes of cytokine inhibitors have been defined at the molecular level. The largest group comprises the extracellular domains of cell surface cytokine receptors, and includes both tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNF‐R). The present study was conducted to investigate the role of TNF inhibitors in arthritis.Methods. We measured p55 and p75 soluble TNF‐R (sTNF‐R) in serum and synovial fluid (SF) samples from patients with rheumatic diseases and compared their levels with levels of soluble interleukin‐2 receptors (sIL‐2R). Sensitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), specific for p55 and p75 sTNF‐R and for sIL‐2R, were used.Results. Serum levels of p75 sTNF‐R were 3–4‐fold higher than levels of p55 sTNF‐R, and both were significantly elevated in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with healthy controls. RA SF levels of sTNF‐R were 4–5‐fold higher than levels in serum, suggesting local production in the joint, and were significantly higher than levels in the SF of patients with seronegative arthropathy or OA. Furthermore, levels of p55 and p75 sTNF‐R, but not sIL‐2R or TNFα measured by ELISA, were increased in the SF of patients with clinically active RA. The soluble TNF‐R in RA and OA SF were functional since they inhibited TNF activity in a cytotoxicity assay in proportion to the levels of inhibitor present. Evaluation of serially obtained serum samples suggested that sTNF‐R may be a useful parameter for monitoring RA disease activity.Conclusion. Biologically active soluble TNF‐R are up‐regulated in patients with rheumatic disease and are produced locally in the joints. Measurement of serum levels of TNF‐R may be useful for monitoring of disease, and determination of SF levels could be of diagnostic value.
Changes in anti–U1 RNA antibody levels correlate with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus overlap syndrome
Authors: Hoet R. M. , Koornneef I. , van Venrooij W. J. , de Rooij D. J. , van de Putte L. B. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To evaluate correlations between changes in anti–U1 RNA antibody levels and disease activity in 9 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap syndrome who were prospectively followed up for at least 3 years.Methods. Anti–U1 RNA antibody levels were measured quantitatively, using a nitrocellulose filter binding assay. Disease activity was measured with a validated SLE activity index.Results. All 9 major disease exacerbations were associated with peaks in anti–U1 RNA antibody level.Conclusion. These results seem to indicate that measuring anti–U1 RNA antibody levels can be useful for monitoring disease activity.
Serum autoantibody to the nucleolar antigen PM‐Scl. Clinical and immunogenetic associations
Authors: Oddis Chester V. , Okano Yutaka , Rudert William A. , Trucco Massimo , Duquesnoy Rene J. , Medsger Thomas A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. The inflammatory myopathies are characterized by distinctive autoantibodies that are associated with certain clinical features and immunogenetic patterns. Anti–PM‐Scl is one such antibody and is found in pure myositis, myositis in overlap, and systemic sclerosis (SSc). Our purpose was to describe the clinical and immunogenetic associations of the anti–PM‐Scl antibody.Methods. Serum samples from 617 patients with various connective tissue diseases were screened for anti–PM‐Scl antibody by indirect immunofluorescence and Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion. Patients with anti–PM‐Scl were serologically typed for HLA–DR and DQ, and the genes encoding DQα and DQβ were characterized by hybridization of sequence‐specific oligonucleotide to amplified genomic DNA.Results. Twenty‐three patients (4%) had serum anti–PM‐Scl. Sixteen had either pure myositis or myositis in overlap, 6 had SSc alone, and 1 had SSc and rheumatoid arthritis. Twenty of the antibody‐positive patients had serologic HLA typing performed; 15 (75%) were HLA–DR3 positive, and 17 (85%) expressed the DQw2 allele. None of the 5 DR3 negative patients shared a unique DR or DQ antigen with the DR3 positive patients, and further DNA analysis of 10 patients (4 of whom were DR3 negative) did not reveal any unique DQ alleles.Conclusion. Anti–PM‐Scl identifies a subset of patients with myositis, SSc, or an overlap of the two disorders, and this antibody has a strong but not exclusive immunogenetic association with the HLA–DR3 antigen.
Activation of gold‐reactive T lymphocytes in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with gold
Authors: Verwilghen Jo , Kingsley Gabrielle H. , Gambling Lorraine , Panayi Gabriel S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To assess the role of T lymphocyte sensitization in the etiology of side effects of gold therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods. Lymphocyte proliferation induced by gold(III) and gold(I) salts was measured in 53 subjects: 30 RA patients with gold‐induced side effects (17 with dermatitis, 9 with proteinuria, 3 with hematologic complications, and 1 with colitis), 9 RA patients without side effects despite prolonged chrysotherapy, 4 RA patients who had never received gold, and 10 healthy controls. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured with the different gold salts and proliferation was measured by 3H‐thymidine incorporation.Results. Thirteen of the 17 RA patients who developed gold‐induced dermatitis showed significant T lymphocyte proliferation in response to gold(III) salts, and this proliferation could be completely blocked by monoclonal antibodies directed at the HLA—DR molecule. Such proliferative responses were not seen in patients with other gold‐induced side effects, in patients who had never received gold, or in healthy controls. Only 1 of 9 patients who had not developed side effects despite long‐term maintenance chrysotherapy showed significant lymphocyte activation with gold(III) salts. Lymphocyte proliferation could not be induced with gold(I) salts or with other metal salts.Conclusion. Patients with RA who develop dermatitis following treatment with sodium aurothiomalate [gold(I)] have T cells which proliferate in an HLA—DR—restricted manner in response to HAuCl4 [gold(III)]. We believe this observation can lead to more accurate diagnosis and treatment of side effects, which currently limit the use of one of the most effective antirheumatic drugs.
Ankylosing spondylitis in rochester, minnesota, 1935–1989. Is the epidemiology changing?
Authors: Carbone Laura D. , Cooper Cyrus , Michet Clement J. , Atkinson Elizabeth J. , Michael O'Fallon W. , Joseph Melton L. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To determine trends in the incidence and clinical presentation of ankylosing spondylitis first diagnosed between 1935 and 1989 among residents of Rochester, Minnesota, and in the survival of the patients.Methods. Population‐based descriptive study.Results. The overall age‐ and sex‐adjusted incidence rate was 7.3 per 100,000 person‐years (95% confidence interval 6.1–8.4). The rate tended to decline between 1935 and 1989, but there was little change in the age at symptom onset or diagnosis over the 55‐year study period. Overall survival was not decreased up to 28 years following diagnosis.Conclusion. These data indicate that there is a constancy in the epidemiologic characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis and suggest that previously study results indicating changes may have been due to biases in patient selection and study design.
Antibodies to retroviral proteins in autoimmune connective tissue disease. Relation to clinical manifestations and ribonucleoprotein autoantibodies
Authors: Ranki Annamari , Kurki Pekka , Riepponen Senja , Stephansson Eija 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective. To study the relationship between antibodies that recognize human retroviral proteins and the presence of clinical features and ribonucleoprotein antibodies in patients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases (CTDs).Methods. Antibodies against native human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) and human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type I, recombinant HIV‐1 Nef protein, and ribonucleoprotein antigens were determined by immunoblot of sera from 65 prospectively studied patients with definite or suspected CTDs of autoimmune type.Results. Antibodies to retroviral proteins (ARP), most frequently to HIV Gag proteins p55 and p24, were found in 64% of 22 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in 63% of 8 patients with discoid LE (DLE), in 75% of 8 patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), and in 26% of 19 individuals with chronic biologically false‐positive (CBFP) seroreactions, but not in 8 patients with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. No clear correlation of ARP with antibodies to any specific small nuclear RNP antigen was observed. The most striking finding was that recurrent infections, both in LE patients and in those with CBFP reactions and widespread, acral discoid skin lesions, occurred significantly more often in ARP‐positive patients.Conclusion. The occurrence of antibodies reacting with human retroviral proteins is associated with severe skin lesions and recurrent infections in SLE, DLE, and MCTD patients, and with a disposition toward developing systemic disease in CBFP reactors.