Reactive hemophagocytic syndrome in adult-onset Still disease: clinical features, predictive factors, and prognosis in 21 patients.

Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is a potentially life-threatening complication of systemic inflammatory disorders. Adult-onset Still disease (AOSD) is one of the systemic autoimmune diseases associated with reactive hemophagocytic syndrome (RHS). This study aimed to evaluate the characteristic findings, predictive factors, and prognosis of RHS in patients with AOSD.

Serum S100A12 may be a useful biomarker of disease activity in adult-onset Still's disease.

Objective: S100A12 and soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) have been suggested as biomarkers of disease activity in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. We investigated the clinical significance of these markers in adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD).

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 37 patients with active AOSD and 38 healthy controls (HC).

Serum growth arrest-specific protein 6 levels are elevated in adult-onset Still's disease.

We investigated the growth arrest-specific protein 6 in adult-onset Still's disease. Serums were collected from 52 adult-onset Still's disease patients with follow-up samples of 21 patients. The growth arrest-specific protein 6 levels in adult-onset Still's disease were higher compared to those in the normal controls (25.

Caspase-cleaved fragments of cytokeratin-18 as a marker of inflammatory activity in chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Background: The differential diagnosis between inactive carrier and active hepatitis is important in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection. Serum cytokeratin (CK)-18 fragments (M30-antigen) are proposed as biomarkers of apoptosis.

Objectives: We investigated whether serum M30-antigen levels might help to characterize the various phases of CHB and predict the state of significant inflammation in patients with CHB.

Promising biomarkers for systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with heterogeneous manifestations. Of particular importance for clinicians are the precise assessment of disease activity and the ability to make appropriate therapeutic decisions. Therefore, interest has increased in biomarkers that can be measured as indicators of pathogenic processes, disease activity and response to management.

Association between apolipoprotein E genotype, chronic liver disease, and hepatitis B virus.

Background/aims: Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) plays an important role in regulating lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, and ApoE genotypes are known to affect plasma lipoprotein concentrations. We investigated whether ApoE genotype determines the disease outcome in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected individuals, and verified the association between ApoE genotype and the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic liver diseases of various etiologies.

Methods: This hospital-based, case-controlled study enrolled 156 subjects (47 healthy controls, 50 HBV-related liver cirrhosis patients, and 59 HCC patients).

Acquired hemophilia successfully treated with activated prothrombin complex concentrate and immunosuppressant combination: a case report.

Acquired hemophilia A is a very rare but life-threatening disorder caused by autoantibody against coagulation factor VIII. The incidence was much rarer in young people. In this case report, a young woman presented with spontaneous muscle hematoma.

Serum growth arrest-specific protein 6 levels are a reliable biomarker of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Purpose: Growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) has been suggested to be a biomarker of disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erthematosus (SLE). We investigated the clinical significance of this protein in Korean SLE.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 150 SLE patients and 50 normal controls (NC).

Serum markers for predicting significant necroinflammatory activity in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the serum markers that predict significant inflammation in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Design And Methods: Between October 2005 and June 2009, 384 subjects with CHB were enrolled.

Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis identified the ALT, hyaluronic acid (HA) and procollagen III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP) as independent predictors of significant inflammation (grade≥3).