Active synovitis in the presence of osteitis predicts residual synovitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with a clinical response to treatment.

Aim: To clarify the relationship between active synovitis/osteitis and subsequent residual synovitis (R-synovitis) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Three hundred and twenty finger joints of 16 patients with active RA at baseline (Disease Activity Score with 28 joints - erythrocyte sedimentation rate > 3.2) who subsequently achieved clinical low disease activity or remission afterwards were analyzed.

Structural deterioration of finger joints with ultrasonographic synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis patients with clinical low disease activity.

Objective: In this study we investigated the relationship between synovial vascularity (SV) and structural alteration of finger joints in patients with RA and long-term sustained clinical low disease activity (CLDA).

Methods: RA patients with CLDA of >2 years (minimum 1 year of CLDA for study entry plus 1 year of observation) were analysed. Quantitative SV values were sequentially measured in each finger joint using power Doppler ultrasonography (0, 8, 20 and 52 weeks).

Analysis of the factors which influence the measurement of synovial power Doppler signals with semi-quantitative and quantitative measures - a pilot multicenter exercise in Japan.

Objectives: This pilot multicenter exercise aimed to evaluate the inter-observer reproducibility of synovial power Doppler (PD) signals in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to determine the factors influencing the measurements.

Methods: Two representative RA patients were assessed by four independent experienced sonographers. The influence of machine difference, deterioration of the transducer and pulse repetition frequency (PRF) on the assessment of synovial PD signals was investigated.

Positive synovial vascularity in patients with low disease activity indicates smouldering inflammation leading to joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis: time-integrated joint inflammation estimated by synovial vascularity in each finger joint.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between synovial vascularity and joint damage progression in each finger joint of patients with RA under low disease activity during treatment with biologic agents.

Methods: We studied 310 MCP and 310 PIP joints of 31 patients with active RA who were administered adalimumab (ADA) or tocilizumab (TCZ). Patients were examined with clinical and laboratory assessments.

Radiographic prognosis of finger joint damage predicted by early alteration in synovial vascularity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Potential utility of power doppler sonography in clinical practice.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between synovial vascularity and progression of structural bone damage in each finger joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to demonstrate synovial vascularity as a potential therapeutic marker.

Methods: We studied 250 metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and 250 proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of 25 patients with active RA who were administered adalimumab or tocilizumab. Patients were examined with clinical and laboratory assessments.

Change of synovial vascularity in a single finger joint assessed by power doppler sonography correlated with radiographic change in rheumatoid arthritis: comparative study of a novel quantitative score with a semiquantitative score.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between synovial vascularity assessed by quantitative power Doppler sonography (PDS) and progression of structural bone damage in a single finger joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: We studied 190 metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and 190 proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of 19 patients with active RA who had initial treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Patients were examined by clinical and laboratory assessments throughout the study.

Cobalt concentration in urine as an indicator of occupational exposure to low level cobalt oxide.

The aim of this study was to verify the relationship between the cobalt oxide concentration in air and the cobalt concentration in urine. In the first study, we measured the cobalt concentration in the urine of 16 workers exposed to cobalt oxide in a Digital Video Cassette manufacturing plant at the beginning and end of their workshift during 2 working cycles. In the second study, we measured the exposure level to cobalt oxide and the cobalt concentration in urine at the end of the workshift of other 16 workers on 3 out of 5 consecutive work days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday).

Power Doppler ultrasound of rheumatoid synovitis: quantification of vascular signal and analysis of interobserver variability.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess interobserver uncertainties in power Doppler (PD) examination of the fingers of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), by separating the source of the discrepancy into (1) acquisition of the images and (2) criteria for assessment of the images.

Materials And Methods: Twenty patients who had been diagnosed with RA were enrolled in this study. Ultrasound examinations were performed by one inexperienced and two experienced sonographers.

Fos expression in CRF-containing neurons in the rat paraventricular nucleus after central administration of neuromedin U.

We examined the effects of centrally administered neuromedin U (NMU) on corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF)-containing neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of rats, using double immunohistochemistry for CRF and Fos. Almost all CRF-containing neurons in the parvocellular divisions of the PVN expressed Fos-like immunoreactivity 90 min after intracerebroventricular administration of NMU (3 nmol/rat). This results suggest the possibility that central NMU may be involved in stress-induced activation of CRF-containing neurons in the PVN.

Centrally administered orexin-A activates corticotropin-releasing factor-containing neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and central amygdaloid nucleus of rats: possible involvement of central orexins on stress-activated central CRF neurons.

We examined the effects of centrally administered orexin-A on corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-containing neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the central amygdaloid nucleus (CeA) of rats, using dual immunostaining for CRF and Fos. Ninety minutes after intracerebroventricular administration of orexin-A, approximately 96% and 45% of CRF-containing neurons expressed Fos-like immunoreactivity (LI) in the PVN and the CeA, respectively. We also examined the effects of immobilized stress and cold exposure on orexin-A-containing neurons in the rat hypothalamus using dual immunostaining for orexin-A and Fos.