A Review on Imaging in Axial Spondyloarthritis: SPARTAN 2024 Annual Meeting Proceedings.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this publication is to review the role of imaging in axial spondyloarthritis. These findings were presented at the SPARTAN annual meeting in May 2024.

Recent Findings: Imaging plays a major role in the diagnosis and monitoring of axial spondyloarthritis.

Axial Spondyloarthritis Clinical Research Year in Review: SPARTAN 2024 Annual Meeting Proceedings.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to highlight high impact clinical research in axial spondyloarthritis that was published between May 2023 and April 2024. These publications were presented at the SPARTAN annual meeting in May 2024.

Recent Findings: Three publications addressed the rate and predictors of radiographic progression in axial spondyloarthritis.

Axial Spondyloarthritis in Black Americans: An Observational Study From Five Centers in Shelby County, Tennessee.

Objective: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is an immune-mediated disease that predominantly affects the axial skeleton. The objective of this study was to describe the frequency and clinical characteristics of axSpA in Black Americans in Shelby County. We also aimed to report diagnostic delays, disease severity, and health disparities in this population.

Radiographic anatomy of the nasal conchal bullae and conchal sinuses in mature horses.

The dorsal and ventral nasal conchal bullae and conchal sinuses are part of the complex equine paranasal sinus system and are commonly affected by secondary sinusitis. However, the radiographic anatomy of the conchal sinuses is poorly reported in the literature. The present study aimed to describe the radiographic anatomical characteristics of the nasal conchal bullae and conchal sinuses in mature horses.

Dose Tapering and Discontinuation of Biologic DMARDs in Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Narrative Review (2023 SPARTAN Annual Meeting Proceedings).

Purpose Of Review: Limited data is available for tapering or discontinuation of biologic therapy in patients with axSpA who are in disease remission. The current review concentrates on published studies regarding dose tapering or withdrawal of biologics in axSpA.

Recent Findings: Recent evidence in light of randomized controlled trials suggests that tapering of b-DMARDs is a feasible strategy to maintain remission or low disease activity in axSpA patients.

Neonatal screening for spinal muscular atrophy: A pilot study in Brazil.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is considered one of the most common autosomal recessive disorders, with an estimated incidence of 1 in 10,000 live births. Testing for SMA has been recommended for inclusion in neonatal screening (NBS) panels since there are several therapies available and there is evidence of greater efficacy when introduced in the pre/early symptomatic phases. In Brazil, the National Neonatal Screening Program tests for six diseases, with a new law issued in 2021 stating that it should incorporate more diseases, including SMA.

A cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted in Argentina to evaluate the impact of the exposome on skin aging.

Background: Skin aging is a gradual cumulative process that may be accelerated by various exposome factors.

Aims: To investigate associations between exposome factors and facial skin aging in 11 locations in Argentina.

Patients/methods: An observational, cross-sectional study with assessments by exposome questionnaire, Glogau photoaging classification from I to IV, AI-based algorithm analysis of 7 skin aging signs, and SCINEXA score.

Mortality and Ankylosing Spondylitis in the US population: leading causes and associated factors.

Objective: Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the axial skeleton. Recent studies have shown that mortality risk is higher in AS patients and that it is possibly related to disease activity and duration. Our aim was to investigate the leading causes and factors associated with mortality in hospitalized AS patients in the USA.

Wedge resection versus lobectomy in T1 lung cancer patients: a propensity matched analysis.

Objectives: Performing wedge resection rather than lobectomy for primary lung cancer remains controversial. Recent studies demonstrate no survival advantage for non-anatomical resection compared to lobectomy in patients with early-stage lung cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate whether in patients with T1 tumours, non-anatomical wedge resection is associated with equivalent survival to lobectomy.

Early Re-Exploration versus Conservative Management for Postoperative Bleeding in Stable Patients after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Propensity Matched Study.

Background: Postoperative bleeding requiring re-exploration in cardiac surgery has been associated with complications impacting short-term outcomes and perioperative survival. Many aspects of decision-making for re-exploration still remain controversial, especially in hemodynamically stable patients with significant but not acutely cumulating chest drain output. We investigated the impact of re-exploratory surgery on short-term outcomes in a "borderline population" of CABG patients who experienced significant non-acute bleeding, but that were not in critically hemodynamic unstable conditions.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea mimicking asthma.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is primarily a salivary gland tumour that rarely involves the respiratory tract. A 58-year-old lady was admitted with worsening dyspnoea, cough and wheezing for 2 days. CT pulmonary angiogram was done due to persistent dyspnoea which revealed a 12 mm mass protruding into the posterior aspect of the trachea with multiple enlarged nodes.

Repair of a Late Presentation Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm following Coarctation Repair.

We report the case of a 44-year-old gentleman who underwent coarctation repair at the age of 7 years. He was lost to follow-up and represented. Computed tomography scan demonstrated a 9.

Axial Spondyloarthritis and Diagnostic Challenges: Over-diagnosis, Misdiagnosis, and Under-diagnosis.

Purpose Of Review: This article aims to review the challenges in axial spondyloarthritis diagnosis and identify the possible contributing factors.

Recent Findings: The inability to reach an accurate diagnosis in a timely fashion can lead to treatment delays and worse disease outcomes. The lack of validated diagnostic criteria and the misuse of the currently available classification criteria could be contributing.

Novel therapies in axial spondyloarthritis.

Over the past two decades, advancements in understanding the pathogenesis of axial spondyloarthritis have led to discoveries of new therapeutic targets, particularly the interleukin-17, tumor necrosis factor axis, and Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway. While many of the available agents have proven to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis, a remarkable percentage of patients either fail or cannot tolerate these medications. This has prompted researchers to look for new targets that would maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity.

A Case of Anti-Jo-1 Myositis with Unique Biopsy Findings.

Antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) or anti-Jo-1 antibody syndrome has a classic clinical presentation including arthritis, myositis, interstitial lung disease, mechanic hands, and/or Raynaud's phenomenon. The biopsy findings are distinctive from polymyositis or dermatomyositis. We describe an interesting case of ASS where a patient presented with significant muscle weakness, proteinuria, and interstitial lung disease.

Evaluation of the Role of p53 Tumour Suppressor Posttranslational Modifications and TTC5 Cofactor in Lung Cancer.

Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor are found in over 50% of cancers. p53 function is controlled through posttranslational modifications and cofactor interactions. In this study, we investigated the posttranslationally modified p53, including p53 acetylated at lysine 382 (K382), p53 phosphorylated at serine 46 (S46), and the p53 cofactor TTC5/STRAP (Tetratricopeptide repeat domain 5/ Stress-responsive activator of p300-TTC5) proteins in lung cancer.

Optical coherence tomography and visual evoked potential and its relationship with neurological disability in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: To evaluate the relationship between retinal nerve fiber layer involvement and visual evoked potential with the neurological disability scale in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Methods: Fifty-two patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis were evaluated for the study. Optical coherence tomography (retinal nerve fiber layer or RNFL and macular volume or MV), pattern visual evoked potential or VEP (latency and P100 wave amplitude), and neurological disability scale (EDSS) were performed.

Worldwide Differences in Clinical Phenotype of Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to describe the variations in the clinical presentation of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) across the globe.

Recent Findings: We searched the PubMed database and screened more than 1360 articles; 60 of them were selected based on relevance to the topic being discussed and the goals of the review. Most of the clinical manifestations, including IBP, peripheral arthritis, and extra-articular involvement are seen in different regions of the world, but with appreciable clinical heterogeneity, possibly related to a smaller number of patients from some countries, and global variation in the prevalence of HLA-B27.

Educational needs and challenges in axial spondyloarthritis.

Purpose Of Review: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) affects 0.5-1% of the population in many regions of the world. This review summarizes the challenges in medical education around axSpA with attention to evidence around delayed diagnosis, clinician familiarity with typical axSpA features, such as inflammatory back pain and adherence to accepted management principles.