Real-World Persistence and Treatment Patterns in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis Treated with Anti-IL17 Therapy in Spain: The PerfIL-17 Study.

Introduction: Given the growing interest and use of interleukin-17 inhibitors (anti-IL17) for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), an observational study has been conducted to characterize the patient profile, treatment patterns, and persistence of ixekizumab or secukinumab in patients with PsA receiving them as first anti-IL17.

Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective study, conducted at eight Spanish hospitals where data from adult patients with PsA were collected from electronic medical records. Three cohorts of patients, initiating treatment with an anti-IL17 [secukinumab 150 mg (SECU150), secukinumab 300 mg (SECU300), or ixekizumab (IXE)] between January 2019 and March 2021, were included.

Mucosal Immune Defence Gene Polymorphisms as Relevant Players in the Pathogenesis of IgA Vasculitis?

(rs11150612, rs11574637), rs17019602, rs4077515, (rs2738048, rs10086568), and rs2412971 are mucosal immune defence polymorphisms, that have an impact on IgA production, described as risk for IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Since IgAN and Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV) share molecular mechanisms, with the aberrant deposit of IgA1 being the main pathophysiologic feature of both entities, we assessed the potential influence of the seven abovementioned polymorphisms on IgAV pathogenesis. These seven variants were genotyped in 381 Caucasian IgAV patients and 997 matched healthy controls.

Persistence and Use of Ixekizumab in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis in Real-World Practice in Spain. The PRO-STIP Study.

Introduction: Ixekizumab (IXE) is an IgG4-type monoclonal antibody targeting IL-17A indicated alone or in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adult patients with insufficient response or with intolerance to one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. The PRO-STIP study aimed to describe persistence, patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and effectiveness in patients with PsA receiving IXE in a real-world clinical setting in Spain.

Methods: This was an observational, multicentric, retrospective, longitudinal study in adult PsA patients who started IXE between January 2019 and December 2020, with at least 24 weeks of follow-up.

IgA Vasculitis: Influence of and Gene Polymorphisms.

and genes involved in the development and signaling of B-cells are identified as susceptibility loci for numerous inflammatory diseases. Accordingly, we assessed the potential influence of and on the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV), predominantly a B-lymphocyte inflammatory condition. Three genetic variants within (rs1883832, rs1535045, rs4813003) and (rs2254546, rs2736340, rs2618476) as well as two polymorphisms (rs10516487, rs3733197), previously associated with inflammatory diseases, were genotyped in 382 Caucasian patients with IgAV and 955 sex- and ethnically matched healthy controls.

Experts document on methotrexate use in combined therapy with biological or targeted synthetic disease modifying drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: We aimed to develop recommendations for the management of methotrexate (MTX) when considering the combination with biological (b) or targeted synthetic (ts) disease modifying drugs (DMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Eleven experts on RA were selected. Two coordinators formulated 13 questions about the combination therapy of MTX with bDMARDs or tsDMARDs.

Role of the IL33 and IL1RL1 pathway in the pathogenesis of Immunoglobulin A vasculitis.

Cytokines signalling pathway genes are crucial factors of the genetic network underlying the pathogenesis of Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV), an inflammatory vascular condition. An influence of the interleukin (IL)33- IL1 receptor like (IL1RL)1 signalling pathway on the increased risk of several immune-mediated diseases has been described. Accordingly, we assessed whether the IL33-IL1RL1 pathway represents a novel genetic risk factor for IgAV.

Oregano Essential Oil Micro- and Nanoencapsulation With Bioactive Properties for Biotechnological and Biomedical Applications.

Due to the preservative, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and therapeutic properties of oregano essential oil (OEO), it has received an emerging interest for biotechnological and biomedical applications. However, stability and bioactivity can be compromised by its natural volatile and hydrophobic nature, and by external factors including light, heat, or oxygen. Therefore, micro- and nanoencapsulation are being employed to guarantee oregano oil protection from outside aggressions and to maximize its potential.

Tocilizumab in refractory Caucasian Takayasu's arteritis: a multicenter study of 54 patients and literature review.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab (TCZ) in Caucasian patients with refractory Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) in clinical practice.

Methods: A multicenter study of Caucasian patients with refractory TAK who received TCZ. The outcome variables were remission, glucocorticoid-sparing effect, improvement in imaging techniques, and adverse events.

BAFF, APRIL and BAFFR on the pathogenesis of Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis.

BAFF, APRIL and BAFF-R are key proteins involved in the development of B-lymphocytes and autoimmunity. Additionally, BAFF, APRIL and BAFFR polymorphisms were associated with immune-mediated conditions, being BAFF GCTGT>A a shared insertion-deletion genetic variant for several autoimmune diseases. Accordingly, we assessed whether BAFF, APRIL and BAFFR represent novel genetic risk factors for Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV), a predominantly B-lymphocyte inflammatory condition.

Experts document on methotrexate use in combined therapy with biological or targeted synthetic disease modifying drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: We aimed to develop recommendations for the management of methotrexate (MTX) when considering the combination with biological (b) or targeted synthetic (ts) disease modifying drugs (DMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Eleven experts on RA were selected. Two coordinators formulated 13 questions about the combination therapy of MTX with bDMARDs or tsDMARDs.

Bevacizumab dose adjustment to improve clinical outcomes of glioblastoma.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and vascularized brain tumors in adults, with a median survival of 20.9 months. In newly diagnosed and recurrent GBM, bevacizumab demonstrated an increase in progression-free survival, but not in overall survival.

Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) Oncolytic Activity in Human Glioma Tumors Is Dependent on CDKN2A-Type I IFN Gene Cluster Codeletion.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and frequent primary brain tumor in adults with a median overall survival of 15 months. Tumor recurrence and poor prognosis are related to cancer stem cells (CSCs), which drive resistance to therapies. A common characteristic in GBM is gene loss, located close to the cluster of genes at Ch9p21.

Role of IRF5 in the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin-A vasculitis.

Objectives: Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is a major regulator of type I interferon induction and is also critical to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. An influence of IRF5 genetic variants on the increased risk of immune-mediated diseases has been described. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the implication of IRF5 in the pathogenesis of Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV), an inflammatory vascular pathology.

Influence of IL17A gene on the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin-A vasculitis.

Objectives: Cytokines signaling pathway genes represent a key component of the genetic network implicated in the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV), an inflammatory vascular pathology. Interleukin (IL)17A is described as a genetic risk locus for some autoimmune diseases, such as giant cell arteritis and spondyloarthritis. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the potential influence of IL17A on the pathogenesis of IgAV.

A Digital Method to Quantify Type I Interferon.

Interferon (IFN), the first ever-described cytokine, has a potent activity against viruses. Soon since its discovery, quantification of IFN has been an important issue. Most of the traditional methods to measure IFN biological activity rely on indirect methods that quantify dyes retained by IFN-protected cells against a lytic virus, or by techniques that indirectly quantify viral replication by measuring the expression level of viral-encoded reporter proteins such as the green fluorescent protein (GFP).

Polyethylene glycol improves current methods for circulating extracellular vesicle-derived DNA isolation.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane-bound vesicles which play an important role in cell-to-cell communication. Their molecular cargo analysis is presented as a new source for biomarker detection, and it might provide an alternative to traditional solid biopsies. However, the most effective approach for EV isolation is not yet well established.

Genetic variation at the glycosaminoglycan metabolism pathway contributes to the risk of psoriatic arthritis but not psoriasis.

Objective: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting up to 30% of patients with psoriasis (Ps). To date, most of the known risk loci for PsA are shared with Ps, and identifying disease-specific variation has proven very challenging. The objective of the present study was to identify genetic variation specific for PsA.

Spanish Registry of Recent-onset Psoriatic Arthritis (REAPSER study): Aims and methodology.

Aims: To describe the methodology of REAPSER (Spanish Registry of Recent-onset Psoriatic Arthritis), its strengths and limitations. The aim of this study is to identify prognostic factors for the clinical and radiographic course in a cohort of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) diagnosed within 2years of symptom evolution.

Methods: Multicenter, observational and prospective study (with 2-year follow-up including annual visits).

Quality standard for the management of patients with psoriatic arthritis: QUANTUM Project.

Objective: To generate a quality standard for the management of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: We employed qualitative methodology that included: 1) Two focus groups (one with patients with PsA and another with non-rheumatologist specialists involved in the care of PsA patients); 2) A narrative literature review of published documents related to the quality of care in PsA; 3) A nominal group meeting in which 15 expert rheumatologists generated and reached a consensus on a series of quality criteria, as well as formulas or quantifiable objective measures to evaluate them; 4) The Delphi method to establish the feasibility, priority and agreement with the quality criteria; 5) A final generation of standards of care and their attributes. A descriptive analysis of the results was carried out.

Vesicle-Mediated Control of Cell Function: The Role of Extracellular Matrix and Microenvironment.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) - including exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic bodies - have received much scientific attention last decade as mediators of a newly discovered cell-to-cell communication system, acting at short and long distances. EVs carry biologically active molecules, thus providing signals that influence a spectrum of functions in recipient cells during various physiological and pathological processes. Recent findings point to EVs as very attractive immunomodulatory therapeutic agents, vehicles for drug delivery and diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in liquid biopsies.

Extracellular vesicles compartment in liquid biopsies: Clinical application.

Liquid biopsy is becoming a new source of biomarkers that complement and resolve some of the most important limitations of surgical biopsy, which are the accessibility to the diseased tissue and its heterogeneity, especially relevant for tumors. The diseased tissues release their molecule content to the bloodstream in free form, inside a cell or within extracellular vesicles (EVs). While the identification of molecular alterations in total DNA isolated from peripheral blood is already in use for some tumors that secrete large amounts of DNA, it is challenging to assay those secreting lower amounts of molecules as well as for many other non-tumoral pathologies like immunological and cardiovascular diseases.

A genome-wide association study suggests the HLA Class II region as the major susceptibility locus for IgA vasculitis.

The genetic component of Immunoglobulin-A (IgA) vasculitis is still far to be elucidated. To increase the current knowledge on the genetic component of this vasculitis we performed the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) on this condition. 308 IgA vasculitis patients and 1,018 healthy controls from Spain were genotyped by Illumina HumanCore BeadChips.

DNA sequences within glioma-derived extracellular vesicles can cross the intact blood-brain barrier and be detected in peripheral blood of patients.

Tumor-cell-secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) can cross the disrupted blood-brain barrier (BBB) into the bloodstream. However, in certain gliomas, the BBB remains intact, which might limit EVs release. To evaluate the ability of tumor-derived EVs to cross the BBB, we used an orthotopic xenotransplant mouse model of human glioma-cancer stem cells featuring an intact BBB.

Plant-associated fluorescent Pseudomonas from red lateritic soil: Beneficial characteristics and their impact on lettuce growth.

Fluorescent Pseudomonas are ubiquitous soil bacteria that usually establish mutualistic associations with plants, promoting their growth and health by several mechanisms. This makes them interesting candidates for the development of crop bio-inoculants. In this work, we isolated phosphate-solubilizing fluorescent Pseudomonas from the rhizosphere and inner tissues of different plant species growing in red soil from Misiones, Argentina.