A Matrix Prediction Model for the 6-Month Mortality Risk in Patients With Anti-Melanoma Differentiation-Associated Protein-5-Positive Dermatomyositis.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the baseline independent risk factors for predicting 6-month mortality of patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5)-positive dermatomyositis (DM) and develop a matrix prediction model formed by these risk factors.

Methods: The hospitalized patients with DM who completed at least 6-month follow-up were recruited as a derivation cohort. The primary exposure was defined as positive anti-MDA5 at the baseline.

Addition of Fibroblast-Stromal Cell Markers to Immune Synovium Pathotypes Better Predicts Radiographic Progression at 1 Year in Active Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate if addition of fibroblast-stromal cell markers to a classification of synovial pathotypes improves their predictive value on clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Active RA patients with a knee needle synovial biopsy at baseline and finished 1-year follow-up were recruited from a real-world prospective cohort. Positive staining for CD20, CD38, CD3, CD68, CD31, and CD90 were scored semiquantitatively (0-4).

Neglected extra-articular manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis patients with normal body mass index: reduced skeletal muscle overlapping overfat.

Background: Chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can induce reduced muscle mass (myopenia) and ectopic fat deposition probably showing normal body mass index (BMI). We aimed to investigate their body composition (BC) characteristics and clinical significance.

Methods: BMI and BC were collected in consecutive RA patients and control subjects.

Reduced skeletal muscle independently predicts 1-year aggravated joint destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Numerous cross-sectional studies have reported the associations between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and reduced skeletal muscle. We firstly explored the dynamic change of skeletal muscle and its effect on RA clinical outcomes in a real-world prospective cohort.

Methods: Consecutive RA patients were treated according to the treat-to-target strategy and completed at least 1-year follow up.

Primary Closure Versus T-Tube Drainage Following Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration in Patients With Previous Biliary Surgery.

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) has been recently introduced for management of CBD stone in patients with previous biliary surgery history. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of primary closure in patients with previous biliary surgery history compared to T-tube drainage. Eighty patients with previous biliary surgery history including laparoscopic cholecystectomy, open cholecystectomy, or open common bile duct exploration were enrolled in the retrospective study.

A novel function of artesunate on inhibiting migration and invasion of fibroblast-like synoviocytes from rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Introduction: Anti-malarial drug artesunate can suppress inflammation and prevent cartilage and bone destruction in collagen-induced arthritis model in rats-suggesting it may be a potent drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy. We aimed to investigate its effect on the invasive property of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with RA.

Methods: Synovial tissues were obtained by closed needle biopsy from active RA patients, and FLS were isolated and cultured in vitro.

IGFBP2 is a potential biomarker in acute kidney injury (AKI) and resveratrol-loaded nanoparticles prevent AKI.

This study aims to determine whether insulin-like growth factor binding protein2 (IGFBP2) is a useful biomarker for early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI), evaluate the therapeutic effects of resveratrol-loaded nanoparticles (Res-NPs), and investigate the possible underlying mechanisms in a rat model of AKI induced by IRI. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (10 animals per group): sham, IRI control, resveratrol, and Res-NPs injection. Kidney injury and the effects of Resveratrol and Res-NPs were determined by histological examination, renal function, cell apoptosis profile, and gene expression.

T cell dysfunction in chronic hepatitis B infection and liver cancer: evidence from transcriptome analysis.

Background: T cell dysfunction occurs in many diseases, especially in chronic virus infection and cancers. However, up to now, little is known on the distinctions in T cell exhaustion between cancer and chronic virus infection. The objective of this study is to explore the transcriptional similarities and differences in exhausted CD8 +T cell between chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Presence of hepatitis B virus in synovium and its clinical significance in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Previous studies have revealed that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but there are no studies on the presence of HBV antigens or nucleic acid in synovium from patients with RA with HBV infection. In the present study, we investigated the presence of HBV in the synovium and its clinical significance in RA.

Methods: Fifty-seven consecutive patients with active RA (Disease Activity Score 28-joint assessment based on C-reactive protein ≥ 2.

Deleterious role of hepatitis B virus infection in therapeutic response among patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a clinical practice setting: a case-control study.

Background: Previous studies have revealed that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), while there are no further clinical studies regarding the role of HBV infection in RA progression during disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. Here, we aimed to explore the influence of HBV infection on radiographic and clinical outcomes among patients with RA in a clinical practice setting.

Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients with RA (Disease Activity Score 28-joint assessment based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) ≥2.

Joint damage is amplified in rheumatoid arthritis patients with positive thyroid autoantibodies.

Background: Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), which is characterized by an increased presence of thyroid autoantibodies (TAbs), such as antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPOAbs) and antibodies against thyroglobulin (TgAbs), has been reported to be associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because AITD and RA both involve autoimmunity. However, few data are available on the incidence of TAbs in Chinese RA patients, and studies on the association between TAbs and joint damage as well as synovitis in RA patients remain sparse. Here, we aimed to evaluate the incidence of TAbs in a consecutive Chinese RA cohort and to investigate whether the elevated presence of TAbs is associated with joint damage and synovitis in RA patients.

Patients with Coexistence of Circulating Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Its Antibody May Have a Strong Predisposition to Virus Reactivation During Immunosuppressive Therapy: A Hypothesis.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is a well-recognized complication in patients who undergo immunosuppressive drug therapy. Although the recommendation of antiviral prophylaxis made by the American Gastroenterological Association in 2015 focuses on the risk stratification of different immunosuppressive drugs, risk factors for HBV reactivation are also worth identifying in clinical practice. Recent studies have shown that the uncommon serological pattern of coexistent circulating HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and its antibody (anti-HBs) was associated with double mutations (A1762T/G1764A) in the basal core promoter (BCP) region of the HBV genome, which is critical for HBV replication.

Nanoparticle-mediated dual delivery of resveratrol and DAP5 ameliorates kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting cell apoptosis and inflammation.

Ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury is a leading cause of acute kidney injury with high morbidity and mortality due to limited therapy. NMDA receptor inhibitor (DAP5) and resveratrol (Res) could ameliorate kidney I/R injury, but their use is limited by low aqueous solubility and poor stability. Here, we examined the potential protective effects of Res-DAP5 nanoparticles (NP) against renal I/R injury.

Berberine nanoparticles protects tubular epithelial cells from renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the most common causes of acute renal failure, the prognosis of which remains poor and there still lacks of effective therapeutics available in the clinic. This study aimed at investigating the effects of Berberine nanoparticles (BBR-NP) on the ischemia-reperfusion injury of renal tubular epithelial cells and underlying the mechanisms. Our results showed that in a rat model of renal I/R injury, BBR and BBR-NP protected renal against injury both functionally (as assessed by serum urea nitrogen and creatinine level) and morphologically (as assessed by HE staining, transmission electron microscopy and TUNEL staining) in a dose-dependent manner, with the effects of BBR-NP superior to BBR alone.

Short-course tocilizumab increases risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective clinical observation.

Aim: To investigate the impact of short-course tocilizumab (TCZ) on hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: RA patients with moderate to high disease activity, with at least one feature of poor prognosis and inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) were recruited. Three consecutive doses of intravenous TCZ were given combined with csDMARDs.

Curcumin-carrying nanoparticles prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury in human renal cells.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major complication in clinical practice. However, despite its frequency, effective preventive/treatment strategies for this condition are scarce. Curcumin possesses antioxidant properties and is a promising potential protective agent against renal IRI, but its poor water solubility restricts its application.

Expression profile and prognostic value of NNMT in patients with pancreatic cancer.

The elevation of Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) has been reported in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines, but its clinical and prognostic implications remain controversial. This study aimed at investigating the expression of NNMT in pancreatic benign and malignant tissues and the prognostic value of NNMT in pancreatic cancer. The expression of NNMT in tissue specimens of 28 chronic pancreatitis patients and 178 pancreatic cancer patients were assayed with immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray.

All-Trans Retinoic Acid Attenuates Hypoxia-Induced Injury in NRK52E Cells via Inhibiting NF-x03BA;B/VEGF and TGF-β2/VEGF Pathway.

Background/aims: Hypoxia has recently been proposed as one of the most important factors in progressive renal injury. Hypoxia-induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression may play a critical role in maintaining peritubular capillary endothelium in renal disease. This study was designed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on hypoxia-induced injury in NRK52E cells.

Continuously elevated serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 for 3 ~ 6 months predict one-year radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Core disease activity indicators of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been found to be limited in predicting joint destruction progression. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3 plays an essential role in joint destruction and was found elevated in some remission patients. We aimed to monitor dynamic core disease activity indicators and serum MMP-3 for one year and evaluate their value for predicting radiographic progression.

Utility of uric acid as a risk marker of extubation success in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The objective of this observational study was to determine whether there is an association between extubation success and uric acid in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with mechanical ventilation admitted to the intensive care units, and identify the risk markers for extubation success in COPD patients with mechanical ventilation.

Methods: Consecutive COPD patients with intubation were screened at baseline. The study included patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) for over 12 hours and who, in the process of weaning, were subjected to low-level pressure support.

Modeling cancer processes with CRISPR-Cas9.

CRISPR-Cas9 is an RNA-guided site-specific DNA editing tool which, together with its reprogrammed versions such as nickase Cas9 and dead Cas9, enables quick modeling of desired combinations of cancer-associated genomic and/or epigenetic aberrations simultaneously or sequentially, thus facilitating massive functional interrogations and therapy testing.

Elevated serum IgG4 defines specific clinical phenotype of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To explore the correlation of serum IgG4 (sIgG4) with clinical manifestations or therapeutic response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Consecutive 136 RA patients were recruited and followed up at regular interval. SIgG4 was detected by immunonephelometry.

Discontinuation of antiviral prophylaxis correlates with high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in rheumatoid arthritis patients with HBV carrier state: a real-world clinical practice.

Background: To investigate the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with HBV carrier state during treatment of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and the use of antiviral prophylaxis in real-world clinical practice.

Methods: Consecutive RA patients with HBV carrier state were included. Clinical data including liver evaluation, HBV infection evaluation and the use of antiviral prophylaxis were recorded.

Down-regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 beta alleviates the proinflammatory effect of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes through inhibiting extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38 and nuclear factor-kappaB activation.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease leading to joint destruction and disability. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1 beta (PGC-1β) is a transcriptional coactivator that plays important roles in regulating multiple aspects of energy metabolism and cytokine signaling pathways. PGC-1β overexpression leads to the attenuation of macrophage-mediated inflammation.