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Eur J Med Genet 2021 Jun 20:104262. Epub 2021 Jun 20.

Department of Medical Genetics, Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey. Electronic address:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease and usually involves the skin, musculoskeletal system, and kidneys. More than 30 genes have been to monogenic lupus, so far. Monogenic lupus is often characterized by an early-onset, similar family history, and syndromic appearance. Read More

Braz J Biol 2021 21;83:e244123. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz - CPqGM, Salvador, BA, Brasil.

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) is an important component of the innate immune system and have been associated with several autoimmune diseases, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to investigate polymorphisms in TLR9 gene in a Brazilian SLE patients group and their association with clinical manifestation, particularly Jaccoud's arthropathy (JA). We analyzed DNA samples from 204 SLE patients, having a subgroup of them presenting JA (n=24). Read More

JAMA Dermatol 2021 Jun 23. Epub 2021 Jun 23.

Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Jun;100(25):e26499

Department of Medical Genetics and Cell Biology, Ningxia Medical University, Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Heredity of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan, Ningxia, PR China.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by multiple organ damage and the production of a variety of autoantibodies. The pathogenesis of SLE has not been fully defined, and it is difficult to treat. Our study aimed to identify candidate genes that may be used as biomarkers for the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of SLE. Read More

J Behav Med 2021 Jun 22. Epub 2021 Jun 22.

Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Science, School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA.

African American women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have worse disease outcomes compared to their White counterparts. Stressors associated with race may contribute to poorer health in this population through maladaptive behavioral pathways. This study investigated relationships between stress associated with anticipating racism, smoking, and SLE disease activity. Read More

Ethiop J Health Sci 2021 Mar;31(2):293-298

Orthopedic Research Center, Department of Rheumatology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often affects women of childbearing age. Family planning consultation is a major aspect of medical care in these patients because of the risk of disease activation and poor pregnancy and fetal outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate contraceptive prevalence and consulting service in women with SLE. Read More

Lupus Sci Med 2021 Jun;8(1)

Fetal Medicine Department, National Institute of Perinatology (INPer), Mexico City, Mexico.

Objective: To conduct a diagnostic assessment of pregnant women using a screening questionnaire for SLE.

Materials And Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study carried out at the National Institute of Perinatology between 1 November 2019 and 28 February 2020, using a screening questionnaire for SLE. Antinuclear antibody and anti-double stranded DNA antibody tests and a clinical assessment by a rheumatologist were conducted for participants who obtained ≥4 positive responses on the questionnaire. Read More

Semin Arthritis Rheum 2021 Jun 9;51(4):819-830. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Centre for Prognosis Studies in the Rheumatic Diseases, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto Lupus Clinic, EW, 1-412, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Objective: To review: 1) degree of conformity to the American College of Rheumatology neuropsychological battery (ACR-NB) among studies that used a NB, 2) review definitions of cognitive impairment (CI) from studies that used a NB, and 3) characterize measurement tools used to assess CI in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: The literature search was conducted in Ovid Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO for articles on CI in adult SLE patients. We reviewed studies that used a NB and compared their tests to the ACR-NB to assess the degree of conformity. Read More

Arch Dermatol Res 2021 Jun 22. Epub 2021 Jun 22.

Department of Dermatology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY, USA.

Ustekinumab is approved for the treatment of psoriasis and Crohn's disease. Because many dermatological conditions are due to immune-mediated development, ustekinumab may be effective in other conditions. A systematic review of the off-label uses of ustekinumab, as well as on-label adverse effect, was performed, reporting on clinical improvement. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021 Jun 22. Epub 2021 Jun 22.

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.

Objectives: Brain white matter (WM) microstructural changes evaluated by diffusion MRI were well documented in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Yet, conventional diffusion tensor imaging technique fails to differentiate WM changes that originate from tissue alterations from those due to increased extracellular free water (FW) related to neuroinflammation, microvascular disruption, atrophy, or other extracellular processes. Here, we sought to delineate changes in WM tissue microstructure and extracellular FW volume and examine their relationships with neurocognitive function in SLE patients. Read More

Int J Rheum Dis 2021 Jun 22. Epub 2021 Jun 22.

Department of Internal Medicine, Akasaka Sanno Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.

J Microbiol Immunol Infect 2021 Jun 24;54(3):540. Epub 2020 Oct 24.

Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address:

Intern Med J 2021 Jun;51(6):997-998

Department of Rheumatology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Jun 21;14(6). Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Scurvy is a disease caused by chronic vitamin C deficiency. The greater prevalence was found in the paediatric population with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders due to their restricted dietary intake. Our case reported a child with autism who presented with arthralgia and anaemia. Read More

J Int Med Res 2021 Jun;49(6):3000605211014390

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Objective: LIA-ANA-Profile-17S is a multiplex line immunoassay that simultaneously detects 17 antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) against extractable nuclear antigens (ENAs). We evaluated the utility of LIA-ANA-Profile-17S as a supplement to ANA indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and EliA ENA (a fluorescence enzyme immunoassay) for diagnosis of ANA-associated rheumatic diseases.

Methods: Sera were collected from 245 patients referred for an ANA IIF test. Read More

J Invest Dermatol 2021 Jun 18. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Department of Dermatology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA. Electronic address:

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE) are represented in the majority of cutaneous lupus subtypes, each of which has variable implications for systemic manifestations such as lupus nephritis. On dermatologic exam, SCLE and CCLE are distinct. However, it is often difficult to diagnose the subtype from histology alone. Read More

Sleep Breath 2021 Jun 21. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, 110/406 Inthavaroros Road, Suthep, Muang District, Chiangmai, 50200, Thailand.

Lupus 2021 Jun 21:9612033211025636. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Department of Immunology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease associated with neuro-psychiatric (NP) manifestations. Frequency and patterns of neuro-psychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) vary substantially between patients. We conducted a systematic review (SR) of the literature and examined prevalence and characteristics of NPSLE in the Swiss SLE cohort study (SSCS). Read More

Rheumatol Ther 2021 Jun 20. Epub 2021 Jun 20.

Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Sanxiang Road No. 1055, Suzhou, 215004, Jiangsu, China.

Introduction: The characteristics of leukopenia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in different studies are different, which may be related to region, race, and sample size. Moreover, the extent of leukocyte count decline remains to be studied. This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of leukopenia in patients with SLE of Han ethnicity in China. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2021 4;8:681875. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Department of Medicine, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine (NUSOM), Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS) is a very severe complication of different rheumatic diseases, including pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (pSLE). MAS is not considered as a frequent complication of pSLE; however, its occurrence could be under-estimated and the diagnosis can be challenging. In order to address this issue, we performed a systematic review of the available medical literature, aiming to retrieve all those papers providing diagnostic (clinical/laboratory) data on patients with pSLE-related MAS, in individual or aggregated form. Read More

Front Cell Dev Biol 2021 2;9:639321. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Department of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.

Objective: The multisystem involvement and high heterogeneity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) lead to great challenges in its diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this study was to find new lncRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of SLE patients by transcriptome sequencing and explore their potential as biomarkers and their correlation with clinical features.

Materials And Methods: Transcriptome sequencing was used to screen differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and mRNAs (DEMs). Read More

Front Genet 2021 2;12:647487. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Department of Immunology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with a complex etiology. Various genetic factors are associated with susceptibility to developing SLE and contribute to its onset and progression. Different single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with SLE in several populations. Read More

Front Immunol 2021 4;12:675250. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia.

The receptors for IL-35, IL-12Rβ2 and gp130, have been implicated in the inflammatory pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we set out to investigate the serum IL-35 levels and the surface levels of IL-12Rβ2 and gp130 in CD3CD4, CD3CD4 and CD3CD4 lymphocyte subpopulations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients (n=50) versus healthy controls (n=50). The potential T cell subsets associated with gp130 transcript () expression in CD4 T cells of SLE patients was also examined in publicly-available gene expression profiling (GEP) datasets. Read More

Egypt J Immunol 2021 Jan;28(1):23-32

Department of Internal Medicine & Allergy & Clinical Immunology Unit, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

One of the most remarkable presentations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is depression. Our aim was to elucidate the potential relationship between disease activity, depressive symptoms, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in patients with SLE. Sixty female patients with SLE and thirty comparable healthy controls were recruited. Read More

Eur J Immunol 2021 Jun 19. Epub 2021 Jun 19.

Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA.

Polymorphisms in TACI, a BAFF family cytokine receptor, are linked to diverse human immune disorders, including common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Functional studies of individual variants show modest impacts on surface TACI expression and/or downstream signal transduction, indicating that relatively subtle variation in TACI activity can impact human B cell biology. However, significant complexity underlies TACI biology, including both positive and negative regulation of physiologic and pathogenic B cell responses. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021 Jun 19. Epub 2021 Jun 19.

Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.

Objectives: To determine the bidirectional relationship between macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: Using the 1997-2013 Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified patients with newly diagnosed SLE from 2001 to 2013 from the whole beneficiaries and selected individuals without SLE from a one-million representative population. Propensity score (PS) matching was performed to balance incident SLE patients and individuals without SLE according to age, sex, comorbidities and medical utilization. Read More

Ann Hum Genet 2021 Jun 18. Epub 2021 Jun 18.

Department of Dermatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.

Objective: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with strong genetic predisposition. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of SLE have identified more than 50 robust susceptibility loci. However, traditional individual SNP-based GWAS have made it difficult to identify variants with small effects. Read More

Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 2021 Jan-Feb;32(1):69-83

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia.

Very few detailed descriptive studies focusing on peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) have been published. Most of the current information is available through from either study with the limited number of patients or isolated case reports. We conducted an observational study of our PD-peritonitis database over the past 12 years to study the clinical profile and the outcomes of peritonitis episodes in our PD center. Read More

Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 2021 Jan-Feb;32(1):19-29

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

There is no single biomarker to detect lupus nephritis (LN) activity. Renal biopsy is still the gold standard method but it is invasive and mainly used in the initial assessment of the patients. Urinary tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (uTWEAK) and urinary monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (uMCP-1) can be secreted in the urine of active LN. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021 Jun;60(6):3031-3032

Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.