Diet and Disease Activity in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis: SpondyloArthritis and NUTrition Study (SANUT).

Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients with inflamed intestines have higher SpA activity. Diets that modulate microbiota may influence inflammation and SpA activity. Today, data concerning the impact of diet on SpA activity are scarce.

Increased high molecular weight adiponectin and lean mass during tocilizumab treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a 12-month multicentre study.

Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Adiponectin is involved in the metabolism of glucose and lipids with favourable effects on CV disease, especially its high molecular weight (HMW) isoform. Body composition changes are described in RA with various phenotypes including obesity.

Non-TNF-Targeted Biologic vs a Second Anti-TNF Drug to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis in Patients With Insufficient Response to a First Anti-TNF Drug: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: One-third of patients with rheumatoid arthritis show inadequate response to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors; little guidance on choosing the next treatment exists.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of a non-TNF-targeted biologic (non-TNF) vs a second anti-TNF drug for patients with insufficient response to a TNF inhibitor.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A total of 300 patients (conducted between 2009-2012) with rheumatoid arthritis, with persistent disease activity (disease activity score in 28 joints-erythrocyte sedimentation rate [DAS28-ESR]  ≥ 3.

Etiology and associated GJB2 mutations in Mauritanian children with non-syndromic hearing loss.

Origins of all hearing impairment forms may be divided into genetic mutations and acquired influence. Both carry damage to the inner ear structure resulting in a mild to profound dysfunction of the auditory system. The purpose of this study was to assess the different etiologies of deafness in two reference centers for hearing-impaired children in Nouakchott/Mauritania.

Musculoskeletal symptoms in patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes: a large database study.

Objective: To determine the type and frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms at onset and during followup of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS).

Methods: We retrospectively recorded the articular and muscular symptoms of patients with CAPS followed up in French hospitals. Data were presented as frequencies or the median (range), and patient groups were compared using chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney test.

PCR on yeast colonies: an improved method for glyco-engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Background: Saccharomyces cerevisiae is extensively used in bio-industries. However, its genetic engineering to introduce new metabolism pathways can cause unexpected phenotypic alterations. For example, humanisation of the glycosylation pathways is a high priority pharmaceutical industry goal for production of therapeutic glycoproteins in yeast.

N-glycosylation humanization for production of therapeutic recombinant glycoproteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The production of therapeutic recombinant glycoproteins deals with three main issues: cost, production capacities, and glycosylation. Nowadays, such proteins are expressed in various complex expression systems (CHO, bacteria, etc.); the processes related to those production hosts are time consuming and expensive, or the question of posttranslational modifications (as glycosylation) control is still unresolved.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of dolasetron, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor antagonist, in patients with fibromyalgia.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dolasetron for symptomatic relief of pain associated with fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods: This prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial randomly assigned 60 patients with FM to receive placebo (n = 31) or dolasetron (n = 29) 12.5mg/d via the intravenous route on 4 days at baseline (M0), 1 month (M1), 2 months (M2) and 3 months (M3) with follow-up to month 12.

Safety and efficacy of rituximab in systemic lupus erythematosus: results from 136 patients from the French AutoImmunity and Rituximab registry.

Objective: A number of open-label studies have suggested the potential benefit of rituximab (RTX) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, in 2 recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of RTX, the primary end points were not met. We undertook this study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RTX in off-trial patients with SLE seen in regular clinical practice.

Ultrasonography in chondrocalcinosis.

Ultrasonography can visualize calcific deposits within soft tissues. The appearance and location of the deposits distinguishes articular chondrocalcinosis from other crystal deposition diseases. The most common findings are hyperechoic dots or lines running parallel to the joint surface, hyperechoic images within fibrous cartilage (menisci and triangular fibrocartilage complex), and deposits within tendons (Achilles tendon).

[Contribution of sacroiliac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to the evaluation of infliximab efficacy in spondyloarthropathy (a prospective study of 34 patients)].

Thirty-four patients who met ESSG criteria for spondylarthropathy and were eligible for anti-TNFalpha treatment (infliximab) were enrolled in this open-label study lasting 14 weeks. The aims were to evaluate the progression of sacroiliitis by means of MRI, and to determine the positive predictive value of this exam for the treatment response. Patients underwent MRI of the sacroiliac region at baseline (W0), and also at 14 weeks if the baseline MRI showed sacroiliitis.

Is restless legs syndrome underrecognized? Current management.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a poorly understood sensory-motor neurological disorder whose prevalence in Caucasian populations ranges from 10% to 15%. The patient reports unpleasant sensations in the lower limbs with dysesthesia resulting in an urge to move the legs. The symptoms occur during periods of inactivity, increasing in the evening and at night.

Validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurologic disease with an unfavorable prognosis that may be accompanied by malnutrition or overweight. Nutritional status is difficult to evaluate in these patients because of their physical limitations and the asymmetry of their disease involvement. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which enables bedside analysis of body compartments, has not been adequately validated for use in patients with ALS.

Is the relationship between spondyloarthropathy and Sjögren's syndrome in women coincidental? A study of 13 cases.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Sjogren's syndrome (SS) in women with spondyloarthropathy (SpA).

Methods: Forty-one women with SpA manifesting as inflammatory back pain and/or peripheral arthritis were diagnosed as having ankylosing spondylitis, undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy, psoriatic arthritis, or enteropathic arthropathy based on accepted criteria. A validated questionnaire was used to look for sicca symptoms in the SpA group and in 102 controls with degenerative rheumatic diseases.

A pilot study on the recovery from paresis after lumbar disc herniation.

Background: Although the existence of a motor defect in discogenic sciatica is a sign of severity, the literature does not provide evidence for an immediate requirement for surgery.

Objective: To assess the course of sciatica with discogenic paresis and to determine possible prognostic factors for recovery or improvement.

Study Design: This open prospective multicenter study included patients with discogenic sciatica with paresis that had been developing for less than 1 month and was rated < or =3 on a 5-grade scale.