The diagnostic value and clinical relevance of high frequency ultrasound and shear wave elastography in systemic sclerosis: an observational monocentric study.

To unravel the features of skin involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) by high frequency ultrasound (HFU) and shear wave elastography (SWE). To assess the ultrasound capabilities to distinguish SSc patients from healthy controls (HCs). We recruited a cohort of SSc patients in this cross-sectional study.

Inflammatory factor-mediated miR-155/SOCS1 signaling axis leads to Treg impairment in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder associated with the decrease and functional impairment of regulatory T cells (Tregs). In the current study, we explored the interplay of miR-155 and suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) in regulating Treg function and stability in SLE.

Methods: Clinical samples from healthy subjects and SLE patients were collected, and a mouse model of SLE was established to profile the expression pattern of miR-155 and SCOS1 in Tregs.

Hydroxychloroquine-induced pigmentation in rheumatic diseases: prevalence, clinical features and influencing factors.

Objective: To describe the clinical features of Chinese patients with HCQ-induced pigmentation and analyse the potential risk factors associated with HCQ-induced pigmentation.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a duration of 7 months, during which patients who had received HCQ treatment for >6 months were included. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire that encompassed demographic and geographic characteristics, information on HCQ and concomitant medication usage, sun exposure characteristics and hyperpigmentation-related characteristics.

Coincidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: A Case Report with Perforation of Nasal Septum and Palate.

Background: An overlap of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies- (ANCA-) associated vasculitis (AAV) is extremely uncommon and no clear definition has been proposed. The SLE/AAV overlap syndrome mainly affects kidney, blood count, nervous system and lung. However, few previous cases reported nasal septal and palatal perforation in this disorder.

Assessment of thyroid function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Kunming, China: A case-control study.

Introduction: The present study aimed to analyze the prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In addition, the study aimed to elucidate the correlation of hypothyroidism with RA activity and to investigate the relationship between RA and thyroid dysfunction.

Materials And Methods: A total of 314 patients were categorized into two groups according to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level: RA without hypothyroidism and RA with hypothyroidism.

Sodium propionate improves rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting survivin mediated proliferation of fibroblast like synoviocytes by promoting miR-140-5p.

Background: Increased proliferation and impaired death of fibroblast-like synovial cells play an important role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Survivin plays an important role in the prodromal stage and prognosis of RA and has been introduced as a biomarker of joint injury in RA patients. The purpose of this study was to explore whether propionate alleviates RA through miR-140-5p/survivin pathway.

MiR-9-5p promotes M1 cell polarization in osteoarthritis progression by regulating NF-κB and AMPK signaling pathways by targeting SIRT1.

Objective: To investigate the roles and regulatory mechanisms of miR-9-5p in the development of osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Synovial tissues from mouse OA model and control groups were collected and miR-9-5p expression levels and macrophage markers were measured with qPCR. The function of miR-9-5p in macrophage polarization was analyzed by flow cytometry and qPCR.

Increased levels of serum galectin-3 in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome: associated with interstitial lung disease.

Objectives: To explore the potential values of serum galectin-3 (Gal-3) levels in diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) for patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).

Methods: The concentrations of serum Gal-3 and interleukin (IL)-17 were measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 87 patients with pSS and 30 healthy controls (HC). The levels of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), immunoglobulin (Ig)G, complement (C3), albumin (ALB) and Fibrinogen (FIB) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured.