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Yonsei Med J 2019 Jan;60(1):10-21

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, and Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of systemic necrotising vasculitides, which often involve small vessels, and which lead to few or no immune deposits in affected organs. According to clinical manifestations and pathological features, AAV is classified into three variants: microscopic polyangiitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), and eosinophilic GPA. The American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria contributed to the classification of AAV, although currently the algorithm suggested by the European Medicines Agency in 2007 and the Chapel Hill Consensus Conference Nomenclature of Vasculitides proposed in 2012 have encouraged physicians to classify AAV patients properly. Read More

Immunol Res 2018 Dec 15. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

The distinction that in areas where helminthic infections are common, autoimmune diseases are less prevalent, led to the investigation of immune modulatory properties of helminths and their derivatives. Such are phosphorylcholine (PC) moieties which are a component of secreted products of helminths. PC has been broadly studied for its attenuating effects on the human immune system. Read More

J Rheumatol 2018 Dec 15. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

From the Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore; Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Kezar Life Sciences, South San Francisco; Division of Immunology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California; Rheumatology Research, Swedish Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington; Global Patient Outcomes and Real World Evidence, Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, Indiana; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Dermatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Medical Centre, Sydney, Australia; Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath; Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Musculoskeletal Statistics Unit: The Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen; Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Sorbonne Université; Rheumatology Department, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France; VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Global Medical Affairs, Pfizer Inc., Montreal, Quebec; Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa; Musculoskeletal Health and Outcomes Research, St. Michael's Hospital and Institute for Work and Health; Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Institute for Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto; University of Toronto; Krembil Research Institute; Psoriatic Arthritis Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Rheumatology, St. Vincent's University Hospital and Conway Institute for Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. AMO is a Jerome L. Greene Foundation Scholar and is supported in part by a research grant from the US National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the US National Institutes of Health under award number P30-AR070254 (Core B), a Rheumatology Research Foundation Scientist Development award, and a Staurulakis Family Discovery award. A.M. Orbai, MD, MHS, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; R. Holland, MB, ChB, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Medical Centre; Y.Y. Leung, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Singapore General Hospital; W. Tillett, BSc, MBChB, PhD, MRCP, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases; N. Goel, MD, Patient Research Partner, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, and Kezar Life Sciences; R. Christensen, BSc, MSc, PhD, Professor of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, and Musculoskeletal Statistics Unit: The Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, and Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital; N. McHugh, MBChB, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases; L. Gossec, MD, PhD, Sorbonne Université, and Rheumatology Department, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP; M. de Wit, PhD, Patient Research Partner, VU Medical Centre; P. Højgaard, MD, The Parker Institute, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital; L.C. Coates, MBChB, PhD, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford; P.J. Mease, MD, Rheumatology Research, Swedish Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine; J. Birt, PharmD, Global Patient Outcomes and Real World Evidence, and Eli Lilly and Co.; L. Fallon, PhD, Global Medical Affairs, Pfizer Inc.; O. FitzGerald, MD, FRCPI, FRCP(UK), Newman Clinical Research Professor, Department of Rheumatology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, and Conway Institute for Biomolecular Research, University College Dublin; A. Ogdie, MD, MSCE, University of Pennsylvania; B. Shea, PhD, Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa; V. Strand, MD, Division of Immunology, Stanford University; K. Callis Duffin, MD, Department of Dermatology, University of Utah; P. Tugwell, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, and School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, and Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; D. Beaton, BScOT, PhD, Musculoskeletal Health and Outcomes Research, St. Michael's Hospital and Institute for Work and Health, and Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, and the Institute for Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto; D.D. Gladman, MD, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto, and Senior Scientist, Krembil Research Institute, and Director, Psoriatic Arthritis Program, University Health Network. Address correspondence to Dr. A.M. Orbai, MD, MHS, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Rheumatology, Director Psoriatic Arthritis Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, 5200 Eastern Ave., MFL Center Tower Suite 4100, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA. E-mail: Accepted for publication November 6, 2018.

Objective: The Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) and Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) psoriatic arthritis (PsA) working group is developing a Core Outcome Measurement Set for PsA clinical trials [randomized controlled trials (RCT) and longitudinal observational studies (LOS)] using the OMERACT Filter 2.1 instrument selection algorithm. Our objective was to assess the Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease questionnaire (PsAID12) for the measurement of the core domain PsA-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Read More

J Rheumatol 2018 Dec 15. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

From the Departments of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Paris 6, Sorbonne Universités, GRC-08 (EEMOIS); AP-HP, Department of Rheumatology, Pitié Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, France; Spire Sciences Inc., Boca Raton, Florida; Data and Statistical Sciences, and Immunology Development, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois; Departments of Radiology and Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California; AbbVie Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA; Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds and National Institute for Health Research, Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds, UK; Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. PGC is supported in part by the UK National Institute for Health Research infrastructure at Leeds. F.P. Kroon, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center; S. van Beest, MD, Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center; F. Gandjbakhch, MD, Practicing Rheumatologist, Paris 6, Sorbonne Universités, GRC-08 (EEMOIS), and AP-HP, Department of Rheumatology, Pitié Salpêtrière University Hospital; C.G. Peterfy, MD, PhD, FRCP, Chief Executive Officer, Spire Sciences Inc.; S. Chen, Data and Statistical Sciences, AbbVie Inc.; P.G. Conaghan, MB, BS, PhD, FRACP, FRCP, Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds and National Institute for Health Research, Leeds Biomedical Research Centre; I. Eshed, MD, Associate Professor of Radiology, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University; V. Foltz, MD, Practicing Rheumatologist, Paris 6, Sorbonne Universités, GRC-08 (EEMOIS), and AP-HP, Department of Rheumatology, Pitié Salpêtrière University Hospital; H.K. Genant, MD, FACR, FRCR, Professor Emeritus of Radiology, Medicine and Orthopedics, Departments of Radiology and Medicine, University of California at San Francisco; I.K. Haugen, MD, PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital; J.K. Medema, MS, Senior Project Leader, Immunology Development, AbbVie Inc.; M. Østergaard, MD, PhD, DMSc, Professor of Rheumatology, Copenhagen Center for Arthritis Research, Center for Rheumatology and Spine Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark, and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen; L. Zhang, Data and Statistical Sciences, AbbVie Inc.; M.C. Levesque, MD, PhD, Foundational Immunology Senior Director, AbbVie Inc.; M. Kloppenburg, MD, PhD, Professor of Rheumatology, Departments of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center. Address correspondence to Dr. F.P. Kroon, Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Post Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, the Netherlands. E-mail: Accepted for publication November 7, 2018.

Objective: To assess the longitudinal reliability of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Thumb base Osteoarthritis Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Scoring system (TOMS).

Methods: Paired MRI of patients with hand osteoarthritis were scored in 2 exercises (6-mo and 2-yr followup) for synovitis, subchondral bone defects (SBD), osteophytes, cartilage assessment, bone marrow lesions (BML), and subluxation. Interreader reliability of delta scores was assessed. Read More

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2019 Jan 28;140:34-41. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Comprehensive Heart Failure Center, University and University Hospital Würzburg, Germany; Dept. of Internal Medicine I - Cardiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany. Electronic address:

Background: Epidemiologic studies on the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in heart failure are scarce, while one large intervention trial demonstrated a modest benefit.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis from the Interdisciplinary Network Heart Failure (INH) program. Patients hospitalized for systolic heart failure were enrolled and followed for 36 months. Read More

BMJ Open 2018 Dec 14;8(12):e024528. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Centre for Pain Research, University of Bath, Bath, UK.

Objectives: Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a significant cause of morbidity. Vasodilator medications cause unwanted adverse effects, with behavioural and lifestyle changes forming the mainstay of self-management; this is difficult to implement successfully. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of behaviour change interventions for RP and identify learning points for future treatment development. Read More

BMJ Open 2018 Dec 14;8(12):e024367. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Spenshult Research and Development Center, Spenshult, Halmstad, Sweden.

Objectives: The aims were to identify patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had stopped drinking alcohol and compare them with patients drinking alcohol, and to explore reasons for stopping drinking alcohol.

Design: A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used.

Setting: Six rheumatology clinics in Southern Sweden Better Anti-Rheumatic FarmacOTherapy cohort. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 Jan 26;109:1834-1840. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Allergy Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune arthropathy characterized by synovial hyperplasia leading to functional impairment. Although the exact cause of RA is unknown, there is evidence suggesting the role of T cell subtypes in the pathogenesis of RA. Conventional therapy in some RA patients is associated with mild or severe side effects, and resistance of some patients has been reported to these types of therapy. Read More

Mol Pharm 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Antibody fragment F8- mediated Interleukin 10 (IL10) delivery is a novel treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). F8 binds to the extra-domain-A of fibronectin (ED-A). In this study, in-vivo biodistribution and arthritis targeting of radiolabeled F8-IL10 were investigated in RA patients, followed by further animal studies. Read More

Int J Rheum Dis 2018 Nov 22. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Rheumatology, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Aim: To investigate whether any patient or treatment characteristics are associated with the development of rheumatic immune-related adverse events (irAEs) following programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor therapy for cancer.

Method: This was a retrospective chart review of all patients who were dispensed nivolumab or pembrolizumab at a single center before 1 January, 2017, with follow-up until 1 July, 2017. Patients with any diagnosis of a non-cutaneous irAE were identified, regardless of severity, and rheumatic irAEs were characterized. Read More

Int J Rheum Dis 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Rheumatology, Hanyang University Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Seoul, Korea.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine which mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup is associated with new development of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Epidemiologic data and knee radiographs with the Kellgren-Lawrence (K/L) score of the Ansung cohort study were prospectively obtained from the 2nd (2005-2006) and 6th follow-up periods (2013-2014). The mtDNA was analyzed by multiplex mutagenetically separated polymerase chain reaction to determine Asian mtDNA haplogroups (M, G, D, D4, D5, M7, M8, M9, M10, N, A, N9, R, F and B). Read More

Int J Rheum Dis 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland.

Co-occurrence of autoimmune diseases (ADs) within an individual is postulated to be a frequent phenomenon in rheumatic diseases. Similar clinical signs and symptoms, pathophysiological mechanisms, genetic factors within autoimmune diseases and aggregation of diverse ADs within families sustain the theory of shared pathogenesis of several ADs (autoimmune tautology). Polyautoimmunity (PA) is defined as the presence of more than one autoimmune disease in a single patient. Read More

Int J Rheum Dis 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.

Aims: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease and hip involvement often results in severe deformities and functional impairment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful imaging tool for detecting early hip lesions in SpA. The aims of this study are to apply the hip inflammation MRI scoring system (HIMRISS) in SpA patients and to evaluate its reproducibility and validity. Read More

Echocardiography 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Cardiology, Marmara University Medical Center, Istanbul, Turkey.

Introduction: Rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) is an important health issue in developing countries. Assessment of the correct mitral valve area (MVA) is essential for the timing of intervention. Most of the parameters for the assessment of rheumatic MS are derived from Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography. Read More

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2018 Dec 14;16(1):79. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Rheumatology, Ajou University of medical school, 164 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, 16499, Republic of Korea.

Tocilizumab, an anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) agent, is indicated as a treatment for several autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). IL-6 plays roles in both immune system dysregulation and inflammation, and thus efforts to extend the utility of tocilizumab in patients with autoinflammatory conditions are ongoing. Here, we survey the literature on the off-label use of tocilizumab in patients with juvenile-onset rheumatic diseases including juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), juvenile dermatomyositis (DM), vasculitis, juvenile scleroderma, and other autoinflammatory diseases. Read More

Drugs Ther Perspect 2018 31;34(12):543-553. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, 0754 Auckland, New Zealand.

The EU indication for anakinra has been extended to include Still's disease, a serious rare inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology that comprises adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA). As activated interleukin-1 pathways are associated with the systemic manifestations of these disorders, targeted treatment with anakinra, an interleukin-1 inhibitor, has been investigated. Across clinical and real-world studies in patients with AOSD and SJIA, treatment with anakinra achieved clinical remission/response, provided rapid and sustained improvements in systemic and laboratory manifestations, and allowed the use of corticosteroid- and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) to be reduced or discontinued. Read More

J Am Coll Cardiol 2018 Dec;72(24):3189-3199

Interventional Cardiology Unit, GVM Care & Research Maria Cecilia Hospital, Cotignola, Italy. Electronic address:

Although the field of transcatheter therapies for valvular heart disease (VHD) is continuously expanding in western countries, uptake of this treatment in Asia has been slow, mainly due to the high cost of devices, need for specific training programs, and lack of specialized heart teams and dedicated structures. Moreover, anatomic considerations of the Asian population, such as smaller aorta and peripheral vessel size, high prevalence of bicuspid aortic valves, high calcium burden of stenotic aortic valve leaflets, low coronary ostia, and high prevalence of rheumatic etiology, might raise concerns about feasibility, risk of procedural complications, prosthesis durability, and long-term outcomes after transcatheter treatment of VHD. Asia Pacific and China's medical communities and manufacturer companies are setting up to address this unmet clinical need. Read More

Clin Immunol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Faculty of Medicine, Debrecen, Hungary. Electronic address:

Several inflammatory, proteolytic, angiogenic and bone-associated factors play a role in the development of autoimmune, accelerated atherosclerosis in rheumatic diseases. Some of these may serve as biomarkers of vascular pathology and may be useful in the follow-up of vascular damage and outcome. Multi-biomarker profiles rather than a single markers would likely be optimal in this respect. Read More

Immunol Lett 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Rheumatology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address:

TGF-β1 is highly expressed in the synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and is known as a cytokine that plays an important role in tissue repair and immune cell regulation. However, the role of TGF-β1 is still unclear in osteoclastogenesis. In this study, we examined the effect of TGF-β1 on osteoclast differentiation and the underlying mechanism using healthy human peripheral blood monocytes. Read More

Hinyokika Kiyo 2018 Oct;64(10):397-401

The Department of Urology, Nara Medical University.

A 66-year-old man underwent nephrectomy for right renal cell carcinoma (cT3bNOMl (PUL)). Thereafter, he was treated with sunitinib for lung metastasis as the first-line therapy for 5 months and then axitinib as the second-line therapy for 2 months. Because lung metastasis progressed despite molecular targeted therapies, nivolumab was used as the third-line treatment. Read More

Adv Ther 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Novosys Health, Green Brook, NJ, USA.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients in the US. The objectives of this study were to examine VTE prophylaxis patterns and risk for VTE events during hospitalization and post-discharge among patients hospitalized for acute illnesses in the US.

Methods: Acutely ill hospitalized patients were identified from the MarketScan databases (January 1, 2012-June 30, 2015). Read More

Endocrinol Diabetes Nutr 2018 Dec 9. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Scientific Direction, Gador SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Background: Almeria is a region in southeast Spain with optimal sunlight levels, along with low pluvial and pollution rates. If exposure to sunlight is sufficient to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D (25OHD), this population should display high serum levels.

Objectives: To describe 25OHD serum status in women from Almeria and evaluate the impact of long sunlight exposure along the seasons on 25OHD. Read More

BMC Vet Res 2018 Dec 12;14(1):394. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159c, Warsaw, Poland.

Whole body and partial body cryotherapies (WBC and PBC) have been successfully used in human medicine, and currently also are being proposed in veterinary practice.In horses, only the partial body cryotherapy provided in cryosauna is considered, due to the technical conditions. These therapies have been dedicated to human patients with rheumatic and inflammatory diseases as well as an assistance during training in athletes. Read More

FEBS Open Bio 2018 Dec 6;8(12):1888-1896. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Center for Gender-Specific Medicine Biomarkers Unit Istituto Superiore di Sanità Rome Italy.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease with increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality that can be attributed to accelerated atherosclerosis. This pilot study aimed to investigate if changes in blood parameters were compatible with atherosclerotic events in RA patients. To this aim, 45 RA women (aged more than 18 years), and 25 age and gender-matched healthy donors (HD) were included. Read More

Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2018 Dec 19;8(12):337-348. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

The etiology of mood disorders is mechanistically heterogeneous, underscoring the need for a dimensional approach to identify and develop targeted treatments in psychiatry. Accumulating evidence implicates inflammation as an important contributor to the pathophysiology of depression and presents the immune system as a viable therapeutic target that may be more proximate to the pathogenic nexus of brain-based disorders in specific subpopulations. Anhedonia is a transdiagnostic (e. Read More

Rheumatol Int 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatology Clinic, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece.

Granuloma annulare (GA) is the most common non-infectious disease. Despite the fact that it is a benign disease, it can be associated with a variety of disorders and certain drugs including biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). A 50-year-old man with a history of rheumatoid arthritis refractory to methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine and infliximab was treated with tocilizumab (TCZ), an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist, 162 mg subcutaneously every week. Read More

Mikrobiyol Bul 2018 Oct;52(4):413-424

Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Medical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey.

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are the autoantibodies that are produced against nuclear antigens in the cell nucleus and/or cytoplasm, and are one of the important diagnostic criteria in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD). Until today, several methods have been developed for detecting ANA's. However, indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) technique, that is also known as one of the oldest methods, is still the most commonly used one. Read More

Lupus 2018 Dec 12:961203318817832. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

2 Department of Rheumatology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine whether alcohol intake is causally associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, and MR-Egger regression methods. We used the publicly available summary statistics of alcohol intake frequency from the UK Biobank genome-wide association studies (GWASs; n = 336,965) as the exposure and an SLE GWAS consisting of 1311 SLE and 1783 control subjects of European descent as the outcome. Read More

Rheumatol Int 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Rheumatology Unit, Instituto de Rehabilitación Psicofísica, Echeverria 955, Buenos Aires, C1428DQG, Argentina.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the outcome measures in rheumatology (OMERACT) definitions for ultrasound (US) elementary lesions in gout through an image reading exercise. Images from patients with gout (static images and videos) were collected. As an initial step, we carried out a image reading exercise within the experts of the Pan-American League of Associations for Rheumatology (PANLAR) US Study Group (n = 16). Read More

Blood 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom;

The Recombination Activating Genes, RAG1 and RAG2, are essential for V(D)J recombination and adaptive immunity. Mutations in these genes often cause immunodeficiency, the severity of which reflects the importance of the altered residue(s) during recombination. Here, we describe a novel RAG1 mutation that causes immunodeficiency in an unexpected way: The mutated protein severely disrupts binding of the accessory protein, HMGB1. Read More

Arthritis Rheumatol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Firenze, Italy.

In our work entitled "Adalimumab-based treatment versus DMARDs for venous thrombosis in Behçet syndrome. A retrospective study of 70 patients with vascular involvement" , we showed that Adalimumab (ADA)-based regimen is more effective and rapid than disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in inducing resolution of venous thrombosis in patients with Behçet syndrome (BS), also allowing significant reduction of steroid exposure. This article is protected by copyright. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Centre for Prognosis Studies in the Rheumatic Diseases, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Objectives: The mean age at onset of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) ranges between the 4th-6th decades of life. However, little is known about fertility and pregnancy outcome in PsA patients. The aim of this study was to examine whether fertility and pregnancy outcome of PsA patients are different from healthy controls and to evaluate PsA and psoriasis disease activity perception during pregnancy and the year postpartum. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.

Objectives: To characterize the 10 year relationship between anti-transcriptional intermediary factor 1 antibody (anti-TIF1-Ab) positivity and cancer onset in a large UK-based adult DM cohort.

Methods: Data from anti-TIF1-Ab-positive/-negative adults with verified diagnoses of DM from the UK Myositis Network register were analysed. Each patient was followed up until they developed cancer. Read More

Toxicol Sci 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, China -America CRC for Environment & Health, Shandong Province, 72# Jimo Binhai Road, Qingdao, Shandong, P.R. China.

The toxic mechanism of cadmium-quantum dot (Cd-QDs) to organisms is still debating. In this paper, it was found that Cd-QDs could induce adverse effects to kidney by entering into cells in a time and dose manner and disturbing the redox balance in vivo. As a selenium containing protein, glutathione peroxidase3 (Gpx3) plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of redox system. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK.

Objectives: The European initiative Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe (SHARE) aimed to optimize care for children with rheumatic diseases. Systemic vasculitides are very rare in children. Consequently, despite recent advances, paediatric-specific information is sparse. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.

Objectives: The European Single Hub and Access point for paediatric Rheumatology in Europe initiative aimed to optimize care for children with rheumatic diseases. Kawasaki disease (KD) is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children and an important cause of long-term cardiac disease into adulthood. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of KD is difficult due to the heterogeneity of the disease but is crucial for improving outcome. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Academic Rheumatology, King's College London, London, UK.

Rom J Morphol Embryol 2018 ;59(3):903-909

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania;

A 46-year-old female diagnosed several years ago with arterial hypertension and an ischemic stroke with significant recovery was admitted for dyspnea on usual physical activity and fatigue. Physical examination revealed signs of heart failure with crackles on both lung bases, distented jugular veins, accentuated pulmonic valve closure (P2) and tricuspid regurgitation murmur. Echocardiography identified a large tumor in the left atrium, suggestive of atrial myxoma, which caused a severe functional mitral stenosis and produced severe pulmonary hypertension. Read More

Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2018 28;22(6):390-399. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common degenerative heart valve disease. Among the many risk factors for this disease are age, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, smoking, type-2 diabetes, rheumatic fever, and chronic kidney disease. Since many of these overlap with risk factors for atherosclerosis, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of CAVD development have been presumed to be similar to those for atherogenesis. Read More

Clinicoecon Outcomes Res 2018 16;10:805-819. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY, USA,

Objective: To estimate the 5-year budget impact (BI) on a US health plan of introducing sarilumab - a human immunoglobulin G1 anti-IL-6 receptor α monoclonal antibody - as combination treatment with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) or monotherapy in patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: BI analysis was conducted from a commercial payer perspective. Treatment-eligible populations included adult patients with moderate-to-severe RA and inadequate response (IR) to csDMARDs or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors-IR. Read More

Gac Med Mex 2018 ;154(6):727-728

Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Hospital General Universitario de Albacete; Centro de Salud de Villanueva de la Jara. Castilla-La Mancha, España.

Eighty-year old woman with a medical history of arterial hypertension, rheumatic valvular heart disease with mitral and aortic valve replacement, chronic atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure dependent on domiciliary chronic oxygen for 17 daily hours. The reason for arrival to the hospital was a stroke of cardioembolic etiology. Read More

J Arthroplasty 2018 Nov 15. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.

Background: The aim of this study is to validate the Knee Osteoarthritis Grading System (KOGS) of progressive osteoarthritic degeneration for the tri-compartmental knee. This system defines the site and severity of osteoarthritis to determine a specific knee arthroplasty.

Methods: The radiographic sequence for KOGS includes standing coronal (anteroposterior), lateral, 30° skyline patella, 15° and 45° Rosenberg and stress views in 20° of flexion. Read More

Joint Bone Spine 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Schlosspark-Klinik Charité University Medicine Berlin, Heubnerweg 2, 14059 Berlin, Germany.

70 years after their first use, low-dose glucocorticoids are a common part of pharmacological rheumatoid arthritis treatment. This is due to their well-proven capacities in symptom severity and disease activity reduction, in particular when combined with a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug, such as methotrexate. Nevertheless, glucocorticoid administration, in long-term especially, is also seen critically because of its potential adverse conditions. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2018 04 16;32(2):241-253. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

Rheumatology Department, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France; Inserm (U1153), Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, PRES Sorbonne Paris-Cité, Paris, France.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is the prototype of a class of a rheumatic chronic inflammatory disease named spondyloarthritis (SpA). The prevalence of axSpA ranges between 0.1% and 1. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2018 04;32(2):167-168

Instituto de Salud Musculoesquelética, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

Arthritis Res Ther 2018 Dec 7;20(1):271. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported an error. Read More

Lupus 2018 Dec 8:961203318817132. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Centre for Prognosis Studies in Rheumatic Diseases, Toronto Lupus Clinic, Toronto, Canada.

Background: Disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus follows three different courses: long quiescent, relapsing remitting and persistently active. However, the patterns of disease course since diagnosis are not known. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of such patterns over 10 years. Read More

Clin Chim Acta 2018 Dec 3;489:89-95. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Expert Center Clinical Chemistry Eindhoven, Eindhoven, the Netherlands; Clinical Laboratory, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, the Netherlands.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases and rheumatic disorders with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) drugs is expensive, while a significant proportion of patients does not show adequate clinical response. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enables patient-specific anti-TNFα therapy. The role of laboratory tests in clinical care has recently been described in a value proposition framework. Read More

Anatol J Cardiol 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University (Fourth Military Medical University); Xi'an-China.

Objective: To investigate the expression profile of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and proposed circRNA-microRNA (miRNA) regulatory network in atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Atrial tissues from patients with persistent AF with rheumatic heart disease and non-AF myocardium with normal hearts were collected for circRNA differential expression analyses by high-throughput sequencing. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed to predict the potential functions of the differentially expressed genes and AF-related pathways. Read More