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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
15038107 [Serum hemopexin: suppressive effect on neutrophil functions and prospect of clinical appl 2004 Mar Hemopexin is a serum glycoprotein with a high binding affinity for heme, and is known as a scavenger/transporter of heme. Recent studies indicated that purified hemopexin suppresses neutrophil adhesion and phagocytosis by a mechanism unrelated to heme-binding, suggesting a novel activity of hemopexin. Unidentified serum factor in combination with Ca2+ dampens the effect of hemopexin. So, hemopexin in peripheral blood may not act as an inhibitor of neutrophil function. However, because hemopexin is synthesized in injured peripheral nerves, it may be hypothesized that hemopexin has an anti-inflammatory role in nerve repair by suppressing phagocyte accumulation/phagocytosis. Further studies of hemopexin may provide new therapeutic strategies aimed at suppressing neutrophil functions to control inflammation and tissue injury, especially in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
12811957 Potential applications of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors in geriatric practice. 2003 May Matrix metalloproteinases are a family of enzymes that degrade different components of extracellular matrix. They play an important role in normal physiologic processes of maintaining tissue integrity and remodeling, as in wound healing, processes of development, and regeneration. However, excessive expression of MMP has been observed in many disease states, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, vascular remodeling in atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysm formation, neoplastic processes, macular degeneration and many others.
12584936 [The rheumatology and physical medicine department]. 2002 Actually, 18 rheumatologists and specialists in physical therapy are collaborating in the Department, allowing to develop possibilities for the diagnosis and therapeutic challenge of patients suffering from disorders of the locomotor system. Accordingly, the knowledge, the know-how, the experience plus the willingness to make a good job are used for helping the patient, for contributing to medical progress and also for the education of future medical doctors. Our department has significantly contributed to a better understanding and therapeutic approach of rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, aseptic necrosis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and inflammation; it has been among the first in the world to offer new therapeutic modalities, otherwise not accessible and, to help a series of hopeless patients. In addition, a new sector for a performing rehabilitation has been recently developed. Accordingly, during these mast twenty years, a performing department with a motivated team has been developed offering a maximum of medical services for the community and ready for the challenges of tomorrow.
12474447 [Noninfectious uveitis after extracapsular lens extraction]. 2002 PURPOSE: To reveal the etiopathogenic features of the noninfectious uveitis after extracapsular lens extraction, with or without artificial lens implantation. METHOD: A retrospective study including 33 patients with noninfectious uveitis after extracapsular lens extraction with or without artificial lens implantation has been performed. The patients have been selected exclusively according to clinical criteria. RESULT: In 27 patients (80.80%), risk factors for the postoperative uveitis have been identified. Among these, the most frequently incriminated has been the operation itself (14 cases--42.42%), with the persistence of cortical material on the first place: 10 cases (30.30%). CONCLUSION: The unfavourable evolution of the uveitis has been associated with the following risk factors: previous uveitis, the incorrect position of the artificial lens, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus.
12102282 Panniculitis in a patient on methotrexate for mixed connective tissue disease. 2002 May Accelerated nodulosis during methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis has been well described. There have been recent reports of nodulosis in patients on methotrexate for other inflammatory conditions. Panniculitis is a newly discovered pathological entity in this setting. We describe a case of panniculitis in a woman receiving methotrexate for mixed connective tissue disease.
24728118 [Not Available]. 2002 Sep Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to treat pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, their long-term use is often limited by gastrointestinal mucosal injury and complications like bleeding, ulceration and perforation. Hence, the hope evolved that selective COX-2 inhibitors, a newly developed class of anti-inflammatory drugs, may be equally effective but better tolerated than nonselective NSAIDs. However, this enthusiasm was partly dampened by the fact that the exclusive use of selective COX-2 inhibitors is probably not justified. Particularly in patients treated with low-dose of aspirin for cardiovascular prophylaxis, the COX-2 inhibitors seem to have no obvious advantages over conventional NSAIDs. Furthermore, use of COX-2 inhibitors has recently been associated with enhanced cardiovascular risk. There is some evidence that COX-2 inhibitors may act via COX independent pathways and might be used for indications other than arthritic pain and inflammation.
15540513 Autoantibodies recognizing the 27 carboxy-terminal amino acids of calpastatin are associat 2004 The objective of this study was to determine in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) the prevalence and clinical significance of anticalpastatin antibodies (ACAST), an autoantibody population previously detected in sera from patients with various connective tissue diseases. Eighty-four patients with SLE (mean age: 30 years at diagnosis, females 77) that fulfilled ACR criteria were included in the study retrospectively. Several clinical and biological data were collected. ACAST were detected by a solid-phase enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using as antigen a synthetic peptide corresponding to the 27 C-terminal amino acids of calpastatin (CAST-C27). The prevalence of ACAST-C27 was 13% (11/84) in SLE patients. No correlation was found between the presence of ACAST-C27 and clinical manifestations such as thrombosis and vasculitis. Furthermore, no correlation was observed with the presence ofantiphospholipid antibodies (APL). However, we found a statistically significant association between the presence of ACAST-C27 and that of secondary Sjögren syndrome (P = 0.01). The conclusion is ACAST-C27 are not associated with thrombosis in SLE patients. The association observed between ACAST-C27 and secondary Sjögren syndrome suggests that ACAST-C27 might be useful in discriminating a clinical subgroup of SLE patients.
15379743 Primary Sjogren's syndrome presenting with generalized autonomic failure. 2004 Sep A 64 year-old woman developed Raynaud's phenomenon and dry eyes/mouth. Laboratory examination revealed positive Schirmer's test, rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibody, and lymphocytic sialoadenitis on salivary gland biopsy. These features strongly suggested the diagnosis of primary Sjogren's syndrome. Three years later, she gradually developed generalized autonomic failure without apparent sensory neuropathy on nerve conduction study. She had systolic pressure fall of 51 mmHg on head-up tilt test, cardiovascular supersensitivity to diluted norepinephrine infusion, cardiac denervation in [123I]-MIBG scintigraphy, impaired R-R variability, decreased sweating and prolonged colonic transit time. Autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy was mostly responsible for her autonomic failure.
12777641 Paucity of Sjogren-like syndrome in a cohort of HIV-1-positive patients in the HAART era. 2003 Oct OBJECTIVE: This study was performed in order to investigate the prevalence of Sjögren-like syndrome (SLS) in the highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) era in a cohort of HIV-1-positive Greek patients. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-one unselected patients were screened by the validated European Union (EU) criteria for Sjögren's syndrome. Of the 31 who gave a positive EU-validated questionnaire, 17 consented to undergo minor salivary gland biopsy and other tests. RESULTS: Only two patients had a positive salivary gland biopsy and both belonged to the non-compliant HAART group, whereas none of the compliant HAART patients had histological findings. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that SLS, the prevalence of which in the pre-HAART era was 7.8%, has disappeared, possibly as a result of the protective action of HAART.
12649336 Attenuated apoptosis of B cell activating factor-expressing cells in primary Sjögren's sy 2003 Mar B cell activating factor (BAFF) is known to be a powerful regulator of B-cell differentiation and proliferation. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of apoptosis among BAFF-expressing cells in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) salivary gland tissue. We performed double stainings of BAFF together with one of the markers, CD21, CD68, CD40, Fas, Bcl-2 or Bax, and monitored apoptosis among BAFF expressing cells by using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-digoxigenin nick-end labeling method. A significantly lower level of apoptosis among the BAFF-expressing cells was detected in salivary glands from patients with SS compared with controls (p = 0.03). Furthermore, no difference in the coexpression of Fas or CD40 together with BAFF was detected between patients and controls. Coexpression of the pro apoptotic molecule Bax together with BAFF was nonsignificantly decreased in patients with SS compared with controls. Our results suggest that a reduced level of apoptosis among BAFF-expressing cells might lead to longer-existing BAFF expression within these cells and thereby maintain signaling for tissue-infiltrating B cells to proliferate and mature.
12499440 Low grade marginal zone B cell lymphoma of the breast associated with localised amyloidosi 2003 Jan Primary low grade marginal zone B cell lymphoma (MZL) of the breast and localised mammary amyloidosis are exceedingly rare entities. This report describes the case of a woman with long standing Sjögren's syndrome presenting with asymptomatic MZL of the breast showing plasmacytic differentiation, associated with local ductular amyloidosis. The lesion was discovered incidentally in breast tissue resected for microcalcifications. Immunohistochemistry revealed kappa light chain restriction, supporting the neoplastic nature of the infiltrate. A retrospective molecular study of the salivary gland biopsy showed a B cell clone. This is the first report of the association of human mammary ductular amyloidosis with cartwheel shaped material identical to corpora amylacea, usually seen in brain, lung, and prostate, but unknown in the human breast. The excellent outcome without treatment seen in this patient further emphasises the need to distinguish between MZL with plasmacytic differentiation and extramedullary plasmacytoma.
12410409 [Innervation of the lachrymal gland in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. An immun 2002 Nov PURPOSE: Histopathological parameters of the main lachrymal gland from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS1) were investigated, and the relation between morphological and immunohistochemical changes in the innervation of lachrymal gland in patients with SS1, as well as the immunopathological differences between SS1, non-autoimmune keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and controls were analysed. METHODS: Lachrymal glands from patients with SS1, KCS and control subjects were biopsied and examined using standard transmission electron microscopic techniques and an immunohistochemical method (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-VIP). RESULTS: Moderate numbers of myelinated and non-myelinated nerve fibres were found in the connective tissue around lachrymal glands in patients with SS1. Non-myelinated nerve fibres made contact with glandular epithelium, myoepithelial cells, vascular endothelium, plasma cells and fibroblasts. Patients with non-immunological KCS had similar characteristics as SS1 in number and activity, showing a normal morphological pattern. Control subjects showed a higher number of active nerve fibres. CONCLUSION: Main lachrymal gland from patients with SS1 were therefore definitively innervated with moderate activity and normal structures. The ultrastructural study demonstrated there were no statistical differences with respect to patients with non-autoimmune KCS. Immunohistochemical studies showed a similar VIP activity in lachrymal gland between patients with SS1 and KCS, but there was a significant decrease in the innervation activity with regard to control subjects. All this implies that the autoimmunological factor in patients with SS1 does not significantly affect the lachrymal gland innervation.
12373492 A patient with adult Still's disease with an increased Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody titer 2002 Sep Adult Still's disease is an important differential diagnosis of pyretic disease and it does not necessarily appear to be a distinct disease entity. The etiology of adult Still's disease is not yet known. However, it has been considered that adult Still's disease may be triggered by certain infections, such as the Coxsackie, parvo B19, rubella, mumps, Epstein-Barr, and cytomegalo virus, as well as mycoplasma, toxoplasma, and so on. Recently, we experienced a patient with adult Still's disease with an increased Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody titer. The titer decreased slowly after the beginning of steroid therapy, associated with improvement of clinical symptoms. In this report we mention the relationship between the pathogenesis of adult Still's disease and a high titer of Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody.
12136918 Angiocentric T cell lymphoma of the central nervous system in a patient with Sjögren's sy 2002 Jul Patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) have an increased risk of developing lymphoproliferative disorders, mainly non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and pseudolymphoma. We describe a young Caucasian woman with a 7 year history of SS, who presented with meningeal signs and symptoms and was found to have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the central nervous system.
12060403 The epidermolysis bullosa acquisita antigen (type VII collagen) is present in human colon 2002 Jun Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita is an autoimmune blistering disease of the skin characterized by IgG autoantibodies against type VII collagen. Systemic diseases are often associated with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, Crohn's disease being the most frequent. This study sought to determine if type VII collagen, the epidermolysis bullosa acquisita autoantigen, was present in normal human colon by western blotting and immunofluorescence. The 290 kDa type VII collagen alpha chain was demonstrated by western blotting in four normal intraoperative colon specimens. Antibodies to type VII collagen labeled the junction between the intestinal epithelium and the lamina propria. We also used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to test sera from patients with Crohn's disease (n = 19), ulcerative colitis (n = 31), celiac disease (n = 17), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 15), and normal controls (n = 16). It was found that 13 of 19 patients with Crohn's disease and four of 31 patients with ulcerative colitis demonstrated reactivity to type VII collagen. Sera from control subjects, patients with celiac disease or rheumatoid arthritis were negative. The sera from Crohn's disease patients also reacted with type VII collagen by immunoblot analysis. It was concluded that patients with inflammatory bowel disease may have IgG autoantibodies to type VII collagen, which exists in both the skin and the gut.
15186429 Collagenolytic (necrobiotic) granulomas: part II--the 'red' granulomas. 2004 Jul A collagenolytic or necrobiotic non-infectious granuloma is one in which a granulomatous infiltrate develops around a central area of altered collagen and elastic fibers. The altered fibers lose their distinct boundaries and exhibit new staining patterns, becoming either more basophilic or eosinophilic. Within the area of altered collagen, there may be deposition of acellular substances such as mucin (blue) or fibrin (red), or there may be neutrophils with nuclear dust (blue), eosinophils (red), or flame figures (red). These color distinctions can be used as a simple algorithm for the diagnosis of collagenolytic granulomas, i.e. 'blue' granulomas vs. 'red' granulomas. Eight diagnoses are included within these two groupings, which are discussed in this two-part article. In the previously published first part, the clinical presentation, pathogenesis and histologic features of the 'blue' collagenolytic granulomas were discussed. These are the lesions of granuloma annulare, Wegener's granulomatosis, and rheumatoid vasculitis. In this second half of the series, the 'red' collagenolytic granulomas are discussed; these are the lesions of necrobiosis lipoidica, necrobiotic xanthogranuloma, rheumatoid nodules, Churg-Strauss syndrome, and eosinophilic cellulitis (Well's Syndrome).
12696189 [Sjogren's syndrome with bilateral hydronephrosis caused by pseudolymphoma of bilateral re 2003 Feb We report a case of bilateral hydronephrosis caused by pseudolymphoma of bilateral renal pelves. A 52-year-old woman with Sjogren's syndrome and bronchial asthma was found to have bilateral hydronephrosis. Abdominal plain computerized tomography showed an irregular thickening of the bilateral renal pelves with moderate hydronephrosis. The gallium scintigraphy revealed intense tracer uptake in bilateral renal pelves. Open biopsy of the right renal pelvis was performed under the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma. The pathologic diagnosis was pseudolymphoma of the renal pelvis. Steroid therapy dramatically improved pseudolymphoma and hydronephrosis within a month. There were no signs of recurrence.
14531960 Lymphoproliferation in autoimmunity and Sjögren's syndrome. 2003 Aug Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic inflammatory process involving primarily the exocrine glands. Its association with lymphoma is well documented. A low-grade marginal-zone lymphoma related to mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue is the most common lymphoid neoplasia in Sjögren's syndrome. Among all autoimmune diseases, Sjögren's syndrome is the best tool to clarify the multiple components of autoimmunity and lymphomatogenesis. Herewith, the authors review the literature and discuss the molecular, clinical, histopathologic, and therapeutic aspects of these tumors in Sjögren's syndrome.
12560464 Salivary gland expression of transforming growth factor beta isoforms in Sjogren's syndrom 2003 Feb AIM: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is involved in the control of autoimmune reactions, cell proliferation, and the accumulation of lymphocytes within organs. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of TGF-beta in salivary glands from patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and benign lymphoepithelial lesions (BLEL) with emphasis on ductal epithelium. METHODS: Immunoperoxidase staining for TGF-beta isoforms and Ki67 antigen was performed on formalin fixed sections of labial glands from patients with primary SS (n = 15) and controls (n = 5) and parotid glands reported as BLEL (n = 5) or normal (n = 5). Ductal expression of TGF-beta was quantified by absorbance measurements using image analysis. The specificity of staining was confirmed by peptide blocking studies. RESULTS: All TGF-beta isoforms were detected within the cytoplasm of most lymphocytes, endothelial cells, and ducts in all specimens. Acinar expression was variable and weaker than that seen in ducts. Absorbance measurements revealed that the expression of all isoforms was greater in ducts within primary SS glands than in control glands. Ductal expression in control parotid glands was greater than that seen in BLEL glands, irrespective of the presence of adjacent lymphoid infiltrates. Comparisons between control specimens showed that ductal expression of all isoforms was highest in parotid glands, whereas no differences were detected between primary SS and BLEL glands. Ki67 positive lymphocytes and duct cells were mainly restricted to pathological specimens, with BLEL glands containing larger populations of positive cells than primary SS glands. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate complex and variable changes in ductal expression of TGF-beta in primary SS and BLEL, which may be important in the control of lymphoid infiltration and the proliferation of lymphocytes and ductal epithelium.
12453296 Expression of the histiocytic marker PG-M1 in granuloma annulare and rheumatoid nodules of 2002 Nov BACKGROUND: The expression of PG-M1, the most specific histiocytic marker, has not yet been studied in granuloma annulare (GA) and other palisaded granulomas of the skin. We evaluated the reactivity of PG-M1 with a series of GA and rheumatoid nodules (RN) to establish the sensitivity and potential usefulness of this marker in the diagnosis and characterization of these entities. METHODS: Histological sections from 30 GA and 15 RN were immunostained with PG-M1. For comparison, additional sections were stained with KP-1 and lysozyme. The stains were recorded as negative, weakly positive (1+) and strongly positive (2+). RESULTS: PG-M1 stained all cases of GA (100%). KP-1 and lysozyme stained 26 (86%) and 18 (60%) GA cases, respectively. PG-M1 exhibited a significantly stronger staining intensity (1.8 +/- 0.07) when compared with KP-1 (1.4 +/- 0.13) (p = 0.018) and with lysozyme (0.9 +/- 0.15) (p < 0.0001). All RN were stained by PG-M1 (100%). KP-1 and lysozyme stained 14 (93%) and six (40%) RN cases, respectively. PG-M1 staining intensity (1.6 +/- 0.13) was slightly higher than that of KP-1 (1.4 +/- 0.18) (p = 0.27) and significantly higher than that of lysozyme (0.4 +/- 0.13) (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: PG-M1 is consistently and strongly expressed by the histiocytic population of GA and RN, being more sensitive and reliable than other histiocytic markers. We recommend its use in difficult cases in which the histiocytic nature of the lesion needs to be confirmed.