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Eur J Neurol 2020 Jun 5. Epub 2020 Jun 5.

Dept. Of Neurology and Regional Referral Multiple Sclerosis Centre, University-Hospital San Luigi, Regione Gonzole, 10, 10043, Orbassano, Italy.

COVID-19 infection can cause a severe pneumonia which, in some cases, can lead to admission in intensive care unit for respiratory support. In severe cases, systemic thrombotic complication has been described, including cerebrovascular disease (5.7-23% of cases). Read More

J Clin Rheumatol 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Austral, Pilar, Argentina.

: Galectin-1 (Gal-1) and galectin-3 (Gal-3) are carbohydrate-binding proteins involved in normal processes, autoimmunity, and cancer. Increased serum Gal-3 levels in scleroderma were associated with active disease, vasculopathy, and mortality.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate Gal-1 and Gal-3 expression in the lesional skin of patients with scleroderma regarding disease severity and organ involvement. Read More

Gut Microbes 2020 Jun 5:1-9. Epub 2020 Jun 5.

Immunology Department, Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot, Israel.

The intestinal microbiota may be involved, through metabolic gut-brain interactions, in a variety of neurological conditions. In this addendum, we summarize the findings of our recent study investigating the potentially modulatory influence of the microbiome in a transgenic ALS mouse model, and the possible application to human disease. We found that transgenic mice show evidence of dysbiosis, even at the pre-symptomatic stage, and have a more severe disease course under germ-free conditions or after receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics. Read More

Intractable Rare Dis Res 2020 May;9(2):99-103

Department of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a kind of collagen disease and has an acquired autoimmune activation as represented by the production of autoantibodies. CD27 is a type I glycoprotein and a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. It binds to the CD70 ligand, CD27-CD70 signaling is implicated in the development of various autoimmune diseases, but its role in the regulation of extracellular matrix expression and its contribution to the phenotype of SSc both remain to be elucidated. Read More

Arch Bronconeumol 2020 May 31. Epub 2020 May 31.

Servicio de Neumoloxía. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela; Spanish Biomedical Research Networking Centre-CIBERES, A Coruña, España.

Background: Silicosis is associated with an increased risk of developing systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD). The prognostic implications of this association are poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of SARD and autoimmune markers in a cohort of patients with exposure to silica and assess their impact on prognosis. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2020 Jun 3;22(1):128. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, Gloriastrasse 25, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.

Objectives: Skin fibrosis is a main hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Clinical assessment is done semi-quantitatively using the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS). Objective measurements for quantifying skin fibrosis could complement the mRSS to achieve higher reproducibility. Read More

Cesk Patol 2020 ;56(2):83-88

Secondary vasculitides usually accompany various common and rare conditions, Their clinical picture is very diverse, they can be loclaized or genaralized. Most frequently, we find parainfectious, drug-related and paraneoplastic vasculitides, less commonly in connective tissue diseases, after radiotherapy or transplantation. Vasculitides may be associated to infection of any origin. Read More

Nutrients 2020 Jun 1;12(6). Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, 16126 Genoa, Italy.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by initial microvascular damage, immune system activation and progressive fibrosis with insufficiency of internal organs. Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement is characterized by atrophy of the smooth muscle and small bowel hypomotility, mainly resulting from an autonomic nerve dysfunction. These modifications significantly affect gut transit and nutrient absorption, thus leading to malnutrition deficit induced by malabsorption. Read More

Arthritis Res Ther 2020 Jun 1;22(1):127. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Division of Rheumatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc), associated with a progressive elevation in pulmonary vascular resistance and subsequent right heart failure and death. Due to unspecific symptoms, the diagnosis of PAH is often delayed. On this basis, it is of great value to improve current diagnostic methods and develop new strategies for evaluating patients with suspected PAH. Read More

Zhonghua Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2020 Jun;55(6):383-387

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.

To investigate the clinical characteristics and imaging manifestations of primary bone lymphoma (PBL) located in the jaw. Clinical data of 14 PBL patients admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2014 to April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, which including age, gender, location, chief complaint, laboratory test, imaging manifestations and so on. Among the 14 PBL patients, 10 were male and 4 were female. Read More

J Drugs Dermatol 2020 May;19(5):519-523

The risk of skin cancer in connective tissue disease and the impact of immunosuppressive therapy on this risk has not been well studied. The objective of this study is to investigate the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer in patients with connective tissue disease and to assess the impact of immunosuppressive therapy on this risk. This is a retrospective case control cohort study of 8281 patients with connective tissue disease (systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren’s disease and scleroderma) and 8281 age, race, and gender matched controls followed for a 5-year period between 2002-2012, who obtained their care from a large integrated multispecialty group practice in Northern California. Read More

Nature 2020 Jun 13;582(7810):89-94. Epub 2020 May 13.

Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.

A hexanucleotide-repeat expansion in C9ORF72 is the most common genetic variant that contributes to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. The C9ORF72 mutation acts through gain- and loss-of-function mechanisms to induce pathways that are implicated in neural degeneration. The expansion is transcribed into a long repetitive RNA, which negatively sequesters RNA-binding proteins before its non-canonical translation into neural-toxic dipeptide proteins. Read More

J Rheumatol 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

From the Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands. Address correspondence to Nina M. van Leeuwen, department of Rheumatology Leiden University Medical Center, C1-R, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands. E-mail:

Objective: Autoreactive antibody responses, including the use of several isotypes of autoantibodies, have been shown to associate with clinical outcome in several rheumatic autoimmune diseases. The goal of this study was 1) to evaluate whether anti-centromere antibody(ACA) and anti-topoisomerase antibody(ATA) specific isotype expression and 2) organ involvement associate with the degree of microangiopathy in SSc.

Methods: ACA and ATA IgG, IgM and IgA levels were measured in baseline serum samples of ACA IgG+ and ATA IgG+ SSc patients. Read More

Ann Rheum Dis 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany

Objectives: Coactivators are a heterogeneous family of transcriptional regulators that are essential for modulation of transcriptional outcomes and fine-tune numerous cellular processes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of the coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: Expression of PGC-1α was analysed by real-time PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence. Read More

Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2019 1;36(4):274-284. Epub 2019 May 1.

University Hospital Lübeck, Dept of Rheumatology and Research Center Borstel, a Leibniz institute.

Objective: To identify serum cytokines which predict mortality and/or disease progression in patients with systemic sclerosis, especially with pulmonary involvement.

Methods: Serum cytokines (IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, CCL2, CCL4, TGF-β, TNF-α) were measured in 125 SSc patients, who were recruited and observed in our outpatient clinic. Of these, 60 had pulmonary involvement, classified as either interstitial lung disease (ILD, 43 patients), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH, 7 patients) or pulmonary hypertension and ILD (PH-ILD, 10 patients). Read More

Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2019 1;36(2):157-166. Epub 2019 May 1.

Department of Medicine A, Hematology, Oncology and Pneumology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.

Introduction: Besides invasive or non-invasive ventilation, treatment of severe forms of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) includes immunosuppressive medication. In case of refractory organ- or life-threatening courses of disease, cyclophosphamide pulse therapy can serve as a rescue treatment option.

Objectives: To investigate therapeutic and prognostic effects of cyclophosphamide for the treatment of severe forms of ILD on intensive care unit (ICU) we performed this analysis. Read More

Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2019 1;36(1):33-38. Epub 2019 May 1.

Pneumology Unit, Hospital "Mater Salutis", ULSS9 Scaligera, Legnago (VR), Italy.

Background: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a neoplastic disease that generally arises in the lung (pLAM) and may be associated with "Tuberous sclerosis complex" (TSC). Occasionally, LAM can arise at the extrapulmonary sites (eLAM), such as the mediastinum, the retroperitoneum or the lymph nodes. 25-30% of the patients affected by pLAM develop eLAM. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020 May 23;43:102209. Epub 2020 May 23.

Preventive Neurology Unit, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.

Background: Uveitis describes intraocular inflammation of the uveal tract. It may occur in the absence of a predisposing underlying condition, or may be secondary to a systemic autoimmune disease or ocular infection. An association with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has also been observed. Read More

Acta Naturae 2020 Jan-Mar;12(1):4-17

Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, 197376 Russia.

The review summarizes data of recent experimental studies on spinal microglia, the least explored cells of the spinal cord. It focuses on the origin and function of microglia in mammalian spinal cord embryogenesis. The main approaches to the classification of microgliocytes based on their structure, function, and immunophenotypic characteristics are analyzed. Read More

Front Immunol 2020 6;11:648. Epub 2020 May 6.

Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Skin fibrosis is the result of aberrant processes leading to abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the dermis. In healthy skin, keratinocytes participate to maintain skin homeostasis by actively crosstalking with fibroblasts. Within the wide spectrum of fibrotic skin disorders, relatively little attention has been devoted to the role of keratinocytes for their capacity to participate to skin fibrosis. Read More

Int Heart J 2020 ;61(3):629

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo.

The errors in the following list appeared in the article titled "Characteristics of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Anticentriole Autoantibodies" by Hisataka Maki, Kana Kubota, Masaru Hatano, Shun Minatsuki, Eisuke Amiya, Ayumi Yoshizaki, Yoshihide Asano, Hiroyuki Morita, Shinichi Sato, Issei Komuro (Vol 61, No.2, 413-418, 2020). Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2020 May 31. Epub 2020 May 31.

Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.

Objective: To investigate the ability of ultrasound (US) compared to radiographs in detecting calcinosis in hands/wrists of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, and assess US markers of pathologic perfusion.

Methods: SSc patients were evaluated for calcinosis in the hands/wrists by X-ray and US. Presence or absence of calcinosis was recorded by patient, hand, and anatomical zone; sensitivity and specificity for calcinosis detection by US versus X-ray was determined. Read More

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2020 May 31. Epub 2020 May 31.

Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.

Objectives: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc), and ILD screening, characterization, and monitoring are important for therapeutic decision-making and prognostication. Lung ultrasonography (LUS) is a potential alternative imaging modality for ILD detection. In this study, we develop and test a novel LUS examination technique and interpretation criteria for detecting SSc-ILD. Read More

Int Immunopharmacol 2020 May 28;85:106644. Epub 2020 May 28.

Bio-pharmaceutical Lab, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, Heilongjiang Province, China; Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biological Functional Gene, Harbin 150030, Heilongjiang Province, China. Electronic address:

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is induced by variety of factors and eventually causes multiple organ damage. In recent years, biological agents targeting cytokines and cell surface molecules have gradually come to market. Here, the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of a novel bispecific antibody (FL-BsAb1/17) targeting interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2020 May 30. Epub 2020 May 30.

Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.

Morphoea, also known as localized scleroderma, is a debilitating fibrosing disorder of uncertain aetiology, affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Paediatric-onset disease is not uncommon and is associated with frequent relapses. The disease has complex pathogenetic mechanisms and multiple clinical subtypes, and affects children of all ages. Read More

J Affect Disord 2020 May 25;274:334-338. Epub 2020 May 25.

School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been implicated as a risk factor for various immune-related disorders; however, the association between MDD and subsequent autoimmune skin diseases (ASDs) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association of MDD with risk of subsequent ASDs.

Methods: Subjects were recruited from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Read More

Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020 May 28. Epub 2020 May 28.

Department of Dermatology, Apollo Hospital , Chennai, India.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition known to affect about 1%-3% of the global population. Psoriasis can be a serious burden to the patients, having deleterious effect on their physical, social and mental wellbeing. Systemic therapies consisting of methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin, PUVA, etc. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 May 26;9(6). Epub 2020 May 26.

Research Group on Genetic Epidemiology and Atherosclerosis in Systemic Diseases and in Metabolic Bone Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System, IDIVAL, 39011 Santander, Spain.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) may occur in patients with a rheumatic autoimmune disease (AD), increasing their risk of morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the prevalence of AD in patients diagnosed with an ILD. In this prospective study, we determined the spectrum of ILD associated with AD (AD-ILD) among patients sent for assessment to a single clinic of ILD and lung transplantation from a referral center between May 2016 and December 2019. Read More

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020 May 27. Epub 2020 May 27.

Institute of Clinical Physiology - C.N.R., Pisa, Italy.

Noninvasive estimation of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) is recommended for pulmonary hemodynamics evaluation but remains flow-dependent. Our aim was to assess the feasibility of pulmonary vascular reserve index (PVRI) estimation during ESE combining SPAP with cardiac output (CO) or exercise-time and compare its value in three group of patients: with invasively confirmed pulmonary hypertension (PH), at risk of PH development (PH risk) mainly with systemic sclerosis and in controls (C) without clinical risk factors for PH, age-matched with PH risk patients. We performed semisupine ESE in 171 subjects: 31 PH, 61 PH at risk and 50 controls as well as in 29 young, healthy normals. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2020 May 27. Epub 2020 May 27.

Department of Rheumatology, ASST Pini-CTO, Milan, Italy.

COVID-19 outbreak has quickly spread worldwide, causing a high pressure on the health-care system. In Italy, from March 8, 2020, all the deferrable clinical activities have been suspended to increase the health care offer for COVID-19 patients. The hospital organization has been modified also in order to assure non-COVID-19 patients assistance. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 May 24. Epub 2020 May 24.

Division of Neurosurgery, Centre Hospitalier de l'université de Montréal (CHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is an autoimmune disorder affecting connective tissues, including blood vessels. Although the exact mechanism is not understood, it results in the production of an abnormal amount of collagen. Cases have been reported in which patients with scleroderma also had intracranial aneurysms. Read More

J Proteome Res 2020 May 28. Epub 2020 May 28.

Systemic Autoimmune Diseases (SADs) are characterized by dysfunction of the immune system, which cause damage in several tissues and organs. Among these pathologies are systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis or scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, the primary antiphospholipid syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, and undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD). Early diagnosis is difficult due to similarity in symptoms, signs, and clinical test results. Read More

Clin Exp Immunol 2020 May 27. Epub 2020 May 27.

Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, UK.

Scand J Rheumatol 2020 May 27:1-2. Epub 2020 May 27.

Department of Rheumatology, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust , Salford, UK.

Diagnostics (Basel) 2020 May 24;10(5). Epub 2020 May 24.

Cardiology Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, Greece.

Aims: T1-mapping is considered a surrogate marker of acute myocardial inflammation. However, in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) this might be confounded by coexisting myocardial fibrosis. We hypothesized that T1-based indices should not by themselves be considered as indicators of myocardial inflammation in dcSSc patients. Read More

J Scleroderma Relat Disord 2020 Mar 5;5(2 Suppl):48-60. Epub 2020 Mar 5.

National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a progressive vasculopathic, fibrosing autoimmune condition, portending significant mortality; wherein interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the leading cause of death. Although lacking a definitive cure, therapeutics for (SSc-ILD) that stave progression exist with further promising primary and adjuvant compounds in development, as well as interventions to reduce symptom burden and increase quality of life. To date, there has been a significant but varied history related to systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease trial design and endpoint designation. Read More

Dis Markers 2020 12;2020:2696173. Epub 2020 May 12.

Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, UPO, Novara, Italy.

Background: Few biomarkers are available for early identification of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SS) and scleroderma spectrum disorders (SSD).

Aims: To evaluate Gas6, sAxl, and sMer as biomarkers for cardiopulmonary complications of SS and SSD.

Methods: In a cross-sectional observational study, we recruited 125 consecutive patients, affected by SS and SSD and referred to a tertiary-level pulmonary hypertension outpatient clinic. Read More

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2020 May 13. Epub 2020 May 13.

UOC Immuno-Allergologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Pisa, Italy.

Wien Klin Wochenschr 2020 May 25. Epub 2020 May 25.

Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Split, Šoltanska 1, 21000, Split, Croatia.

Aim: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare chronic disease characterized by pathologic collagen deposits in the skin and internal organs. Although it is considered to be an autoimmune disease, immunosuppressants have a limited effect on severe SSc. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) have shown favorable effects in patients with SSc by suppressing the action of profibrotic cytokines, so they could have additional effect on standard treatment such as cyclophosphamide (CYC). Read More

Respir Investig 2020 May 22. Epub 2020 May 22.

Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergy, Tosei General Hospital, Clinical Professor, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan. Electronic address:

J Autoimmun 2020 May 22:102484. Epub 2020 May 22.

Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Institute of Molecules and Materials (IMM), Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are networks of extracellular chromatin decorated with antimicrobial proteins, formed by neutrophils to entrap pathogens. NETs have been implicated in the generation of autoimmune reactions. Here, we investigate the reactivity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) serum antibodies with NETs and explore whether anti-NET antibodies (ANETA) have a potential as biomarker in RA. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2020 May 24. Epub 2020 May 24.

Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.

Paediatric morphoea is a debilitating fibrosing disorder of uncertain aetiology, affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Defining optimum management strategies in paediatric morphoea remains an ongoing challenge, owing to the varied presentations and a relative paucity of paediatric-specific studies. We performed a literature search on PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar, using keywords such as 'pediatric morphea', 'juvenile localised scleroderma' and 'juvenile systemic sclerosis'. Read More

J Endocrinol Invest 2020 May 24. Epub 2020 May 24.

Department of Internal Medicine DiMI, Research Laboratory and Academic Division of Clinical Rheumatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS San Martino Polyclinic, Genoa, Italy.

Aim: To evaluate, in Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, the body composition and the bone status according to the peripheral microcirculatory condition, assessed and scored by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC, "Early", "Active", "Late" patterns).

Methods: Body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed by Dual X-ray absorptiometry and dedicated software (GE Lunar USA) in 37 female SSc patients classified according to the 2013 EULAR/ACR criteria and 40 sex-matched healthy subjects. Clinical, laboratory, body composition and bone parameters were analyzed according to the different NVC patterns. Read More

J Nephrol 2020 May 24. Epub 2020 May 24.

Université Rennes1, 35043, Rennes, France.

Background: Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), the most frequent renal complication of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), can lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), most frequently, but not exclusively, because of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC).

Methods: The main objectives of our study using data extracted from the French renal epidemiology and information network (REIN) registry, were to describe the characteristics and outcomes in an incident French cohort of SSc patients requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) compared with a matched RRT patient sample.

Results: Between 2002 and 2014, 120 incident SSc patients started RRT in France. Read More

Clin Rheumatol 2020 May 23. Epub 2020 May 23.

Department of Translational and Precision Medicine-Scleroderma Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 37, 00185, Rome, Italy.

Introduction/objectives: This study aims to evaluate the role of fat free mass index (FFMI) and phase angle (PhA) as markers to predict occurrence of new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

Methods: Body composition evaluation from bioelectrical impedance and clinical assessment were performed in SSc patients at enrollment and after 12 months follow-up.

Results: Seventy-nine SSc patients (67 female) with a mean age of 53 ± 13 years were enrolled. Read More

Rheumatol Int 2020 May 23. Epub 2020 May 23.

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Saint Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust, Whiston Hospital, Warrington Road, Prescot, L35 5DR, United Kingdom.

Raynaud's phenomenon is a vasospastic condition affecting hands and feet which may lead to rest pain, ischemic ulcers and gangrene. Botulinum toxin A has been shown to improve peripheral circulation and relieve vasospastic symptoms. Our aim was to assess our treatment outcomes following Botulinum toxin A injections in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and to explore the importance of toxin concentration and injection sites. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020 May 15;43:102157. Epub 2020 May 15.

Hacettepe University, Department of Neurology, Hacettepe, 06230, Ankara, Turkey.

Background: There aren't many reported skin changes associated with teriflunomide use in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) mm Only one life-threatening gross skin change has been reported so far; a patient with toxic epidermal necrolysis. There are also a few case reports about cutaneous adverse effects of teriflunomide, such as eczema, rash and palmar pustular psoriasis.

Methods: We herein report the first case of bullous drug reaction in a patient receiving teriflunomide treatment. Read More

Curr Pharm Des 2020 May 23. Epub 2020 May 23.

Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi. India.

Autoimmune diseases are collectively addressed as chronic conditions initiated by loss of one's immunological tolerance, where body treats its own cells as foreigners or self-antigens. These hay-wired antibodies or immunologically capable cells lead to variety of disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis and recently included neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinsonism and testicular cancer triggered T-cells induced autoimmune response in testes and brain. Conventional treatments for autoimmune diseases possess several downsides due to unfavourable pharmacokinetic behaviour of drug, reflected by low bioavailability, rapid clearance, offsite toxicity, restricted targeting ability and poor therapeutic outcomes. Read More

Adv Exp Med Biol 2020 ;1253:375-403

Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis; SSc) is a complex and highly heterogeneous multisystem rheumatic disease characterized by vascular abnormality, immunologic derangement, and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. To date, the etiology of this life-threatening disorder remains not fully clear. More and more studies show epigenetic modifications play a vital role. Read More