Macular choroidal thickness, volume, and vascularity index in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate choroidal parameters in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-SD-OCT) and to determine their relationships with clinical variables and ocular features.

Methods: Thirty-three patients with SSc and 40 controls were enrolled. The groups did not differ with regard to age, sex, and axial length.

Peripapillary choroidal vascularity index and thickness in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Introduction: Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) present an increased risk of developing glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON). We investigated peripapillary choroidal parameters and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to determine the relationships of these factors with clinical variables.

Methods: A total of 33 patients with SSc were enrolled and compared to 40 controls.

Purtscher-like Retinopathy in a Patient with Systemic Sclerosis: A Case Report and Narrative Review.

Purtscher-like retinopathy (PLR) is an uncommon occlusive microangiopathy associated with various systemic conditions. We report a case of PLR related to severe progressive systemic sclerosis (SSc), an autoimmune disease characterized by widespread angiopathy and fibrosis, in a 44-year-old Caucasian male diagnosed with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dSSc). Upon ophthalmological examination, pathognomonic fundoscopy abnormalities were found.

Could IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and sP-selectin serum levels be considered as objective and quantifiable markers of rheumatoid arthritis severity and activity?

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multisystem, chronic, T-cell-mediated disease in which immunological abnormalities result in symmetrical small joint inflammation, articular destruction due to synovitis, and extra-articular organ involvement. An important role in the pathogenesis of RA is attributed to a combination of genetic factors and environmental triggers. Literature data on the utility of circulating IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and sP-selectin concentration evaluation depending on the activity and advancement of RA seems to be inconclusive.

Comparison of hyaluronic acid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to determine and compare the concentration of hyaluronic acid (HA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and its correlation with parameters of disease activity and duration. The hypothesis was that HA should be increased in rheumatic diseases. We also expected that HA could be a marker of disease activity and inflammation in some of these diseases.

Assessment of Lacrimal Duct Patency in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Medial Maxillectomy.

Purpose: The risk of epiphora after medial maxillectomy with lacrimal duct transection is difficult to assess. The data available in the literature are inconclusive due to various operating techniques used by the authors of medical publications, different additional procedures aimed at improving tear drainage after maxillectomy, and a variety of lacrimal duct patency assessment techniques. The aim of our work was to assess the anatomical and functional patency of lacrimal ducts after medial maxillectomy without performing additional procedures to improve tear drainage as well as comparison of the results obtained with different assessment tests.

Expression of LIGHT/TNFSF14 and Its Receptors, HVEM and LTβR, Correlates with the Severity of Fibrosis in Lacrimal Sacs from Patients with Lacrimal Duct Obstruction.

Introduction: Fibrosis is one of the factors contributing to the development of primary acquired lacrimal duct obstruction (LDO). LIGHT (homologous to lymphotoxins, exhibiting inducible expression and competing with herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D for herpes virus entry mediator [HVEM]), a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes, has recently emerged as a new regulator of connective tissue remodeling and fibrotic response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of LIGHT in the pathogenesis of LDO through: (1) assessment of expression of LIGHT and its two receptors, HVEM and LTβR (lymphotoxin β receptor), and (2) investigation of potential relationships between expression of LIGHT and its receptors and clinical and histopathologic features.

Diagnostic Power of Galectin-3 in Rheumatic Diseases.

Background: The purpose of our study was to assess the diagnostic power of galectin-3 and compare its between rheumatic diseases and with routinely used tests such as CRP and ESR.

Methods: Eighty-two patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 49 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and 18 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were enrolled in this study. The control group comprised 30 healthy controls.

Transferrin isoforms analysis by capillary electrophoresis in systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis.

The systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) are a diseases in which disturbances in plasma proteins glycosylation exist. The aim of the study was to compare the serum profile of transferrin isoforms between SLE and SSc. The study was carried out in 38 patients with SLE and 43 patients with SSc.

Serum profile of transferrin isoforms in rheumatoid arthritis treated with biological drugs.

Background: In the chronic inflammation process in the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), many alterations in the expression of plasma proteins, as well as their posttranslational modifications (including glycosylation) can occur. Taking into account the disturbances in protein glycosylation and the emerging new treatment regimens, the aim of this study was to assess the serum profile of transferrin isoforms in RA patients treated with biological drugs.

Methods: The study included 20 patients (16 females and 4 males; mean age: 53.

Increased expression of the TNF superfamily member LIGHT/TNFSF14 and its receptors (HVEM and LTßR) in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the potential role of the TNF superfamily member lymphocyte T-related inducible ligand that competes for glycoprotein D binding to herpesvirus entry mediator on T cells (LIGHT) in SSc through evaluation of: skin expression of LIGHT and its receptors, herpesvirus entry mediator and lymphotoxin ß-related receptor, and serum concentration of LIGHT in SSc patients.

Methods: Expression of LIGHT and its receptors was investigated by immunohistochemistry and evaluated semi-quantitatively in skin biopsies from 19 SSc patients and 9 healthy controls. Serum levels of LIGHT were measured using ELISA in 329 patients with SSc and 50 control subjects.

Plasma lipidomic profile signature of rheumatoid arthritis versus Lyme arthritis patients.

Objectives: Distinguishing of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Lyme arthritis (LA) is difficult, because of similar symptoms. This presents a significant clinical problem since treatments are quite different in both diseases. We investigated the plasma phospholipid profiles of RA and LA patients versus healthy subjects to find metabolic changes responsible for differentiation of both diseases.

The Profile of Serum Transferrin Isoforms in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Introduction: Transferrin, a microheterogeneous iron-transporting N-glycoprotein, is an optimal model for the analysis of the glycosylation profile in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to assess the transferrin isoforms profile in RA patients at the time of diagnosis and then look into their associations with disease activity.

Methods: Serum samples were collected from 48 patients with RA.

Independence of carbohydrate-deficient isoforms of transferrin and cyclic citrullinated peptides in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the two types of posttranslational modifications of proteins in RA: glycosylation on the example of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin and citrullination by means of autoantibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides.

Methods: The study was carried out in 50 RA patients. CDT was measured using N Latex CDT immunonephelometric test, the results were presented in absolute and relative units.

Changes of glycosylation of IgG in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate.

Purpose: In patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) decrease of galactosylation is correlated with disease activity. The aim of our study was to evaluate an effect of methotrexate therapy on glycosylation disturbances of IgG in RA patients.

Materials/methods: IgG glycosylation in 40 patients with active RA treated with methotrexate for 12 months prior to and after treatment were compared.

The onset of lipid peroxidation in rheumatoid arthritis: consequences and monitoring.

Several epidemiological studies propose the association of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to estimate the possible onset of systemic lipid peroxidation in RA patients and its relevance for pathophysiology and monitoring of RA. Seventy-three patients with RA and 73 healthy subjects were included in the study.

Sialic acid level reflects the disturbances of glycosylation and acute-phase reaction in rheumatic diseases.

In the rheumatic diseases, the changes in the carbohydrate part of serum glycoproteins occur and these abnormalities can be monitored by serum level of total and free sialic acid. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total and free sialic acid level as a marker of inflammation activity (TSA) and the changes in glycosylation of blood glycoproteins (FSA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Studies were carried out in 50 patients with RA, 24 with SLE and 32 with SSc.

Salivary antioxidants in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Background: In spite of relatively large amount of evidence that oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis, there is no study analyzing antioxidants profile of the saliva of these patients. The aim of this study was to compare salivary antioxidants in subjects with systemic sclerosis and the healthy controls.

Methods: The unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow and the specific activity of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase 1, the total amount of uric acid, and total antioxidant status were determined in two subgroups of systemic sclerosis women and healthy controls.

[Serum concentration of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) correlates with markers of the disease activity in early rheumatoid arthritis].

The aim of the study was to analyse the correlations between serum concentrations of the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) and clinical markers of the disease activity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. The study group consisted of 30 RA patients, untreated with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or corticosteroids, with disease duration less than 3 years. The analysis of serum concentrations of TIMPs was based on a quantitative sandwich ELISA.

[Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme arthritis].

Lyme disease is a multisystem disease that affects primarily skin, nervous system, heart and joins. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and spread by Ixodes ticks. Arthritis is a well-known manifestation of Lyme disease (LD).

The changes in monosaccharide composition of immunoglobulin G in the course of rheumatoid arthritis.

The objective of this study was to determine whether galactosylation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) correlates with severity and duration of illness. Serum IgG glycosylation from 50 patients with RA in comparison with 30 healthy controls was analyzed. IgG from sera was isolated and monosaccharide composition was determined by means of gas chromatography.

Serum matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To analyze serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP) TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, and MMP/TIMP ratios in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before and after 6 months of treatment with methotrexate (MTX).

Methods: The study group consisted of 30 patients with RA, not treated with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs or corticosteroids, with disease duration < 3 years. Twenty patients with osteoarthritis (OA) served as a control group.

[Immunopathological disturbances in systemic sclerosis].

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disorder of the connective tissue characterized by the vascular dysfunction and progressive fibrosis of the skin, and various internal organs, which results in their dysfunction and failure. Activation of the immune system seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Contribution of the immune mechanisms to the development of the disease is indicated by the presence of the typical auto-antibodies, inflammatory cells infiltration in the skin and internal organs, and activation of cells participating in the immune response.

[Defect of glycosylation of immunoglobulin G in rheumatoid arthritis patients].

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multisystem disorder in which immunological abnormalities result in symmetrical joint inflammation, articular erosion, and extra-articular involvement. The etiology of RA is still unknown, but a defect in the glycosylation of IgG may be involved in its immunopathogenesis. Several studies have shown a correlation between the amount of IgG lacking galactose and the activity of RA.