Plasma DNA aberrations in systemic lupus erythematosus revealed by genomic and methylomic sequencing.

We performed a high-resolution analysis of the biological characteristics of plasma DNA in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients using massively parallel genomic and methylomic sequencing. A number of plasma DNA abnormalities were found. First, aberrations in measured genomic representations (MGRs) were identified in the plasma DNA of SLE patients.

Efficacy and safety of belimumab in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease that is associated with B-cell hyperactivity, autoantibodies, and increased concentrations of B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS). The efficacy and safety of the fully human monoclonal antibody belimumab (BLyS-specific inhibitor) was assessed in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus.

Methods: Patients (aged ≥18 years) who were seropositive with scores of at least 6 on the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) were enrolled in a multicentre phase 3 study, which was done in Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and eastern Europe.

Management of rheumatoid arthritis: consensus recommendations from the Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology.

Given the recent availability of novel biologic agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the Hong Kong Society of Rheumatology has developed consensus recommendations on the management of RA, which aim at providing guidance to local physicians on appropriate, literature-based management of this condition, specifically on the indications and monitoring of the biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The recommendations were developed using the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of early arthritis as a guide, along with local expert opinion. As significant joint damage occurs early in the course of RA, initiating therapy early is key to minimizing further damage and disability.

Evaluation of the CASPAR criteria for psoriatic arthritis in the Chinese population.

Objective: To evaluate and validate the Classification of Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) criteria for PsA in a Chinese population.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively from consecutive Han Chinese clinic attendees with PsA and other chronic inflammatory arthritis. Subjects were classified according to Moll and Wright, European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) criteria for PsA, Vasey and Espinoza or CASPAR criteria.

Urinary FOXP3 mRNA in patients with lupus nephritis--relation with disease activity and treatment response.

Objective: Regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) probably play an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Methods: We quantified messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of FOXP3, a critical regulator for the development and function of Tregs, in the urinary sediment of 25 subjects with active lupus nephritis (LN), 17 with inactive lupus and 7 healthy subjects.

Results: We found that the expression level of FOXP3 was significantly higher in urine from patients with active LN than from subjects with inactive lupus and healthy controls (24.

Analgesic and anti-arthritic effects of Lingzhi and San Miao San supplementation in a rat model of arthritis induced by Freund's complete adjuvant.

Aim Of Study: In this study, we have investigated the analgesic and anti-arthritic effects of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combination of Lingzhi and San Miao San (SMS) in a rat model of arthritis induced by Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA).

Materials And Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were induced with monoarthritis by single unilateral injection of FCA into the knee joint. The TCM combination was administered to the rats daily by intraperitoneal injection (50mg/(kgday)) or via oral administration (500mg/(kgday)) for 7 days before induction of arthritis and 7 days after.

Hyperproduction of IL-23 and IL-17 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: implications for Th17-mediated inflammation in auto-immunity.

IL-23-dependent IL-17-producing T helper (Th) lymphocytes are associated with autoimmunity. We investigated the immunopathological mechanisms for activation of Th17 cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Concentration of cytokines/chemokine in plasma and culture supernatant from SLE patients and healthy controls were measured by ELISA or flow cytometry.

Immunomodulatory effects of lingzhi and san-miao-san supplementation on patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune joint disease. We evaluated a standard preparation of Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) and San-Miao-San (Rhizoma atractylodis, Cortex phellodendri, Radix achyranthes bidentatae) capsules (TCM group) for its supplementary treatment efficacy for RA. There was no significant difference in the absolute count, percentage, and ratios of CD4(+)/CD8(+)/natural killer/B lymphocytes between the TCM and placebo groups after taking the capsules (all p > 0.