bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of prasterone on corticosteroid requirements of women with systemic lupus erythematosus: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Petri Michelle A. , Lahita Robert G. , Van Vollenhoven Ronald F. , Merrill Joan T. , Schiff Michael , Ginzler Ellen M. , Strand Vibeke , Kunz Arlene , Gorelick Kenneth J. , Schwartz Kenneth E. 
Published: September 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate whether treatment with prasterone (dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA]) would allow the dosage of prednisone (or an equivalent corticosteroid) to be reduced to ≤7.5 mg/day for 2 months or longer while maintaining stable or reduced disease activity in steroid‐dependent women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsIn a double‐blind, randomized trial, 191 female SLE patients receiving prednisone (10–30 mg/day) were treated daily with either placebo, 100 mg of oral prasterone (an adrenal androgen), or 200 mg of oral prasterone for 7–9‐months. At monthly intervals, corticosteroid dosages were reduced by algorithm in patients whose SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score was stable or improved. Patients for whom a sustained reduction in the dosage of prednisone (≤7.5 mg/day) was achieved for at least the last 2 months of the 7–9‐month treatment period were classified as responders.ResultsResponse rates were 41% in the placebo group, 44% in the 100‐mg prasterone group, and 55% in the 200‐mg group (P = 0.110, 200 mg versus placebo). Among the 137 subjects (45 in the placebo group, 47 in the 100‐mg group, and 45 in the 200‐mg group) who had active disease at baseline (defined as SLEDAI score >2), 29%, 38%, and 51%, respectively, were responders (P = 0.031 for 200 mg prasterone versus placebo). Acne was the most common adverse event but was generally mild. Clinical and laboratory changes primarily reflected androgenic effects of prasterone.ConclusionAmong women with lupus disease activity, reducing the dosage of prednisone to ≤7.5 mg/day for a sustained period of time while maintaining stabilization or a reduction of disease activity was possible in a significantly greater proportion of patients treated with oral prasterone, 200 mg once daily, compared with patients treated with placebo.
Inhibition of adjuvant‐induced arthritis by interleukin‐10‐driven regulatory cells induced via nasal administration of a peptide analog of an arthritis‐related heat‐shock protein 60 T cell epitope
Authors: Prakken Berent J. , Roord Sarah , Van Kooten Peter J. S. , Wagenaar Josée P. A. , Van Eden Willem , Albani Salvatore , Wauben Marca H. M. 
Published: September 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo prevent and treat experimental arthritis via nasal administration of an altered peptide ligand (APL) from the major arthritogenic epitope in adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AIA) and to explore the mechanisms involved.MethodsPeptides were administered nasally before and after induction of arthritis. Splenocytes and lymph node cells draining both the site of inflammation and the site of tolerance induction were used for cell transfer and were studied for antigen‐specific T cell characteristics. In addition, attempts were made to stop T cell tolerance in vitro, using anticytokine antibodies.ResultsNasal administration of a modulatory APL of the heat‐shock protein 60 (Hsp60) 180–188 T cell epitope, alanine 183, had a suppressive effect in AIA that far exceeded that of the wild‐type epitope. In addition to its effectiveness in preventing AIA, alanine 183 may be effective in the treatment of ongoing AIA. The protective effect of alanine 183 can be passively transferred using activated splenocytes. Nasal administration of alanine 183 did not lead to detectable T cell proliferation or interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) production in mandibular lymph node cells, while transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), IL‐10, and IL‐4 were readily produced. Likewise, after nasally induced tolerance, followed by induction of arthritis, inguinal lymph node cells produced IL‐4, TGFβ, and IL‐10. After neutralizing in vitro the individual cytokines with anticytokine antibodies, only blocking of IL‐10 production led to reversal of tolerance, at the site of tolerance induction and the site of inflammation.ConclusionNasal administration of an APL of Hsp60 180–188 induces highly effective protection against AIA through generation of regulatory cells that produce IL‐4, TGFβ, and IL‐10, whereas the induced tolerance is driven mainly by production of IL‐10.
Use of joint fluid analysis for determining cartilage damage in osteonecrosis of the knee
Authors: Saito Tomoyuki , Takeuchi Ryouhei , Mitsuhashi Shigeyuki , Uesugi Masaaki , Yoshida Takuji , Koshino Tomihisa 
Published: September 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the value of joint fluid analysis for determining cartilage degradation and prognosis in spontaneous osteonecrosis (ON) of the knee.MethodsSynovial fluid was obtained from 30 knees with spontaneous ON (26 medial femoral condyles, 4 medial tibial plateaus) as well as from 50 knees with medial compartmental osteoarthritis (OA) as a control. Levels of chondroitin 6‐sulfate (C6S), C4S, and hyaluronic acid were measured with high‐performance liquid chromatography. The lesion size, appearance of the articular cartilage, and results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were compared with the results of joint fluid analysis.ResultsThe mean ± SD level of C6S was 82.2 ± 36.6 nmoles/ml in joint fluid from ON knees, which was significantly higher than the levels in knees with grade 2 (47.2 ± 20.0 nmoles/ml) and grade 3 (55.8 ± 29.2 nmoles/ml) OA. The C6S:C4S ratio was highest in lesions with mild articular changes and reflected the macroscopic alteration of cartilage overlying the ON lesion. The concentration of C6S in the 9 knees with lesions that covered ≥40% of the condyle (99.0 ± 32.9 nmoles/ml) was higher than that in the 17 knees with lesions that covered <40% of the condyle (67.2 ± 31.7 nmoles/ml). Knees with bone marrow edema on MRI had a higher level of C6S than did knees with a fibrous‐like appearance.ConclusionWhile radiologic staging was useful for indicating the size of the ON lesion, it was less valuable for determining articular cartilage damage. Joint fluid analysis may provide more precise information about articular cartilage degradation in ON, and the findings may also be of prognostic significance.
Discriminatory sonographic criteria for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Wong S. M. , Griffith J. F. , Hui A. C. F. , Tang A. , Wong K. S. 
Published: September 2002

AbstractObjectiveSonographic examination of the median nerve has been suggested as a useful alternative to electrophysiologic study in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. To determine its usefulness and the best diagnostic criterion, sonograms of patients with the disease were compared with sonograms of healthy subjects in a case–control study.MethodsPatients with carpal tunnel syndrome and asymptomatic controls who were matched for age and sex were enrolled and underwent sonography of the wrists. Eight separate sonographic criteria were analyzed in each wrist. Data from the patient group and the control group were compared to establish optimal diagnostic criteria for carpal tunnel syndrome, using receiver operating characteristic analytic techniques.ResultsThirty‐five patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and 35 asymptomatic controls were examined. Increased cross‐sectional area of the median nerve was found to be the most predictive measure of carpal tunnel syndrome, proximal to the tunnel inlet, at the tunnel inlet, and at the tunnel outlet, with significant differences between patients and controls. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, a cut‐off value >0.098 cm2 at the tunnel inlet provided a diagnostic sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 83%.ConclusionSonographic measurement of the median nerve cross‐sectional area is both sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Effects of long‐term estrogen replacement therapy on osteoarthritis severity in cynomolgus monkeys
Authors: Ham Kimberley D. , Loeser Richard F. , Lindgren Bruce R. , Carlson Cathy S. 
Published: September 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effects of long‐term estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on the severity of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint in surgically postmenopausal (bilaterally ovariectomized) female monkeys. A secondary aim was to evaluate the effect of soy phytoestrogen (SPE) treatment on the severity of OA.MethodsFeral adult female cynomolgus macaques were ovariectomized bilaterally and then randomly divided into 3 age‐ and weight‐matched treatment groups. For 3 years, the first group received ERT with conjugated equine estrogens, the second group received SPE, and the third group received no treatment (controls). At necropsy, histologic lesions of OA were graded, and the area and thickness of cartilage and subchondral bone were measured. The data were summarized by principal components analysis, and the resulting factors and individual variables were compared using analysis of variance and analysis of covariance (age and weight as covariates).ResultsCartilage lesions of OA were significantly less severe in the animals given ERT compared with those in the control group. This treatment effect remained significant when adjusted for age and weight. The factor representing subchondral bone was significantly higher, but the number of osteophytes was lower, in the ERT group compared with the control group. SPE treatment had no significant effect on cartilage or bone lesions of OA.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that long‐term ERT significantly reduces the severity of OA lesions in this animal model.
Recognition of Granzyme B‐generated autoantigen fragments in scleroderma patients with ischemic digital loss
Authors: Schachna Lionel , Wigley Fredrick M. , Morris Steven , Gelber Allan C. , Rosen Antony , Casciola‐Rosen Livia 
Published: September 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo examine whether autoantibodies recognizing granzyme B (GB)‐cleaved autoantigens are associated with ischemic digital loss (IDL) in limited systemic sclerosis (SSc).MethodsFifteen of 19 patients with limited SSc and IDL were matched by age, sex, race, and duration of disease to controls with limited SSc but without IDL. The sera were used to immunoblot HeLa cell lysates and chromosome preparations that had been incubated in vitro in the absence or presence of GB. Anticentromere antibodies (ACAs) were assayed by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation of in vitro‐translated centromere proteins (CENP‐B and CENP‐C). Immunoprecipitation of GB‐cleaved CENPs was also performed.ResultsGB‐cleaved autoantigens were immunoblotted by 16 of 19 IDL sera (84.2%) compared with 6 of 15 non‐IDL sera (40.0%) (odds ratio 8.0, 95% confidence interval 1.6–40.0). This association persisted after adjustment for ACA status. Furthermore, the presence of antibodies to centromere proteins as well as to GB‐cleaved antigens was highly specific for IDL, occurring in 12 of 19 IDL patients (63.2%) and in none of 15 controls (P < 0.0001). An identical 60‐kd GB‐generated fragment was recognized by 5 of 16 IDL sera (31.3%) and was demonstrated to arise through GB‐mediated cleavage of CENP‐C. GB‐cleaved CENP‐C fragments were recognized preferentially over the intact CENP‐C molecule by antibodies from patients with IDL.ConclusionThe striking recognition of GB‐generated autoantigen fragments by sera from patients with limited SSc and IDL constitutes the first in vivo evidence that antibodies against GB‐generated centromeric peptide fragments identify a distinct clinical subset.
Minimizing a general loss function in off‐line quality control
Authors: Mak T. K. , Nebebe F. 
Published: September 2002

AbstractWe consider in the present paper the analysis of parameter designs in off‐line quality control. The main objective is to seek levels of the production factors that would minimize the expected loss. Unlike classical analyses which focus on the analysis of the mean and variance in minimizing a quadratic loss function, the proposed method is applicable to a general loss function. An appropriate transformation is first sought to eliminate the dependency of the variance on the mean (to achieve ‘separation’ in the terminology of Box). This is accomplished through a preliminary analysis using a recently proposed parametric heteroscedastic regression model. With the dependency of the variance on the mean eliminated, methods with established properties can be applied to estimate simultaneously the mean and the variance functions in the new metric. The expected loss function is then estimated and minimized based on a distributional free procedure using the empirical distribution of the standardized residuals. This alleviates the need for a full parametric model, which, if incorrectly specified, may lead to biased results. Although a transformation is employed as an intermediate step of analysis, the loss function is minimized in its original metric. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behaviors of children with high‐functioning autism when paired with typically developing versus delayed peers: a preliminary study
Authors: Smith Tristram , Watthen Lovaas Nina , Ivar Lovaas O. 
Published: September 2002

AbstractChildren with high‐functioning autistic disorder (HAD) in a comprehensive behavioral treatment program (n = 9, age = 5–7 years) alternated between pairings with a typically developing peer and pairings with a peer who had both autism and developmental delay. All pairings took place in a free play setting. The children with HAD displayed much more interactive play and speech (as well as much less self‐stimulation) with typically developing peers than with delayed peers. They received frequent cues and consequences for interaction from typically developing peers, but not in sessions with delayed peers. These results suggest that placement with typically developing peers is critical for children with HAD in behavioral treatment. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using habit reversal to treat chronic vocal tic disorder in children
Authors: Woods Douglas W. , Twohig Michael P. 
Published: September 2002

AbstractIn the present study, a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of simplified habit reversal in three children diagnosed with chronic vocal tic disorder. In two children, vocal tics were substantially reduced. In a third child, tics were not reduced, and the addition of a supplemental contingency management program was ineffective. Despite these mixed results, the treatment was viewed as acceptable to the children's parents in all cases as measured by a standard index of treatment acceptability. Implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potential‐resolved electrochemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)32+/C2O42− system on gold electrode
Authors: Li Feng , Cui Hua , Lin Xiang‐Qin 
Published: September 2002

AbstractThe electrogenerated chemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)32+/C2O42− system on a pre‐polarized Au electrode was studied using a potential‐resolved electrochemiluminescence (PRECL) method. Two anodic ECL peaks were observed at 1.22 V (vs. SCE) (EP1), 1.41 V (vs. SCE) (EP2), respectively. The effects of the concentration of oxalate and Ru(bpy)32+, adsorbed sulphur, CO2, O2, pH of the solution and pretreatment of the Au electrode on the two PRECL peaks were examined. The surface state of the pre‐oxidized gold electrode was also studied using the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technique. Moreover, comparative studies on i–E and I–E curves were carried out and a possible mechanism involving both the catalytic and the direct electro‐oxidation pathways was proposed for the ECL of Ru(bpy)32+/C2O42− system. EP1 is attributed to the Ru(bpy)32/3+ reaction catalysed by C2O42− to generate Ru(bpy)32+*. EP2 is likely because C2O42− was oxidized at the electrode to form CO2−·, followed by reaction with Ru(bpy)33+ to generate Ru(bpy)32+*. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement of free radicals and NO by chemiluminescence to identify the reperfusion injury in renal transplantation
Authors: Oehlschläger S. , Albrecht S. , Hakenberg O. W. , Manseck A. , Froehner M. , Zimmermann T. , Wirth M. P. 
Published: September 2002

AbstractOxygen free radicals are generated during the reperfusion of ischaemic organs. Several experimental studies have demonstrated that the damage produced by reperfusion can be prevented by a scavenger of free radicals. Furthermore, a significantly improved 5 year graft survival rate after cadaveric renal transplantation has been reported in patients treated with scavengers of free radicals (Land et al., 1993). Therefore, a question remains to be answered: whether a routine monitoring of the radical‐mediated reperfusion injury with renal transplantation is useful, and whether there is a necessity for a generalized protective treatment in transplant patients. In a prospective trial, we evaluated a group of eight patients during and after renal cadaveric transplantation (three men, five women), using the chemiluminometric measurement of serum free radicals and NO. The serum quantities of free radicals and NO were significantly increased after reperfusion of the transplant kidney (p < 0.02). The mean time of noticeably increased levels of serum free radicals was 4.8 ± 1.2 h after reperfusion. The results thus showed an increased liberation of free radicals in the peripheral blood of transplant recipients as possible evidence of free radicals‐mediated reperfusion injury in renal transplantation. The generation of free radicals measured by chemiluminescence allow a controlled therapy to decrease the generation of free radicals with antioxidants during the early transplantation period e.g. in older recipients. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mass balance study to assess the extent of contaminant removal achieved in the operations for the primary recovery of plasmid DNA from Escherichia coli cells
Authors: Ciccolini Laura A. S. , Shamlou Parviz Ayazi , Titchener–Hooker Nigel 
Published: September 2002

AbstractMass balances were performed on an alkaline lysis operation for the primary recovery of supercoiled plasmid DNA as part of a process for plasmid gene preparation. Escherichia coli DH5α/pSVβ was cultured in defined medium by fed‐batch fermentation and harvested at the end of the exponential phase. Alkaline lysis of the recombinant cells was performed at fixed shear rates ranging between 46 and 461 s−1, with neutralization 100 and 300 s after the initiation of the lysis. Mass balance calculations were used to optimize the operating conditions for carrying out the alkaline lysis operation. The results indicated that a plasmid yield of 75% and purity with respect to total DNA of 60% were achievable during the primary recovery operation. The influences of key contaminants, including the soluble proteins and the suspended solids, as they bear on the subsequent purification operations, were evaluated and discussed. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 77: 796–805, 2002; DOI 10.1002/bit.10166
Direct recovery of glutathione S‐transferase by expanded bed adsorption: Anion exchange as an alternative to metal affinity fusions
Authors: Clemmitt R. H. , Chase H. A. 
Published: September 2002

AbstractThe use of expanded beds of ion‐exchange adsorbents for the direct recovery of a recombinant intracellular protein, glutathione S‐transferase (GST), from unclarified Escherichia coli homogenates is described. The results form the basis for a comparison between this approach for purifying GST and a chelating fusion strategy and highlight the need to consider the additional costs entailed by these more‐complicated approaches. The separation performance was investigated with respect to choice of anion or cation exchanger, adsorption pH, load volume, sample preparation, and stepwise elution protocol. Anion exchange was found to be more appropriate than cation exchange, as the low pHs involved in the latter caused a loss of activity. The optimal pH for adsorption was found to be 9 with a dynamic capacity from clarified homogenate in packed mode of 112 U mL−1 (11.2 mg GST mL−1). As increasing volumes of unclarified homogenate were applied to the expanded bed, the yield of GST in the eluate decreased, and the purification factor was found to increase and then decrease. This was due to the displacement of weakly bound proteins by GST and then its displacement by even more strongly binding proteins. The dynamic capacity of the anion exchanger, STREAMLINE DEAE, from unclarified homogenate in expanded mode decreased slightly to 85 U mL−1 (8.5 mg GST mL−1). The elution protocol for GST from the anion exchanger was then adjusted to try to maximize the degree of purification. Anion exchange expanded bed adsorption of GST from unclarified E. coli homogenate gave an eluted yield of 95.7% and 1.64‐fold purification. Interestingly, a decrease in the expression level of GST in the feedstream from 23 down to 13% caused a decrease in the dynamic capacity from 85 to 14.5 U mL−1 whereas the degree of purification remained similar. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 77: 776–785, 2002; DOI 10.1002/bit.10167
Ethylene oxide and propylene oxide random copolymer/sodium chloride aqueous two‐phase systems: Wetting and adsorption on dodecyl–agarose and polystyrene
Authors: Huang Yingqing , Forciniti Daniel 
Published: September 2002

AbstractLiquid/liquid partition chromatography is a mild yet powerful separation method for a variety of biological materials. This work demonstrates that it should be feasible to immobilize an ethylene oxide–propylene oxide (EO/PO) random copolymer solution and to use a solution of NaCl equilibrated against the polymer solution as the mobile‐phase (poly (EO–PO) [P(EO–PO)] and NaCl form two aqueous phases known as aqueous two‐phase systems). Three random copolymers with different molecular weights and EO/PO ratios were used. Dodecyl–agarose and polystyrene were tested as possible supports. The wetting energies of the aqueous two‐phase systems on these two kinds of surfaces were calculated as well as contact angles for each phase on the same surfaces. Finally, the thickness of P(EO–PO) adsorption layers on polystyrene lattices were measured by dynamic light scattering. Contact angle measurements indicate that indeed some EO/PO copolymers preferentially wet hydrophobic substrates, forming thin films. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 77: 786–795, 2002; DOI 10.1002/bit.10169