Effect of carbon and nitrogen concentrations on lipid accumulation and regulation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase in Papiliotrema laurentii.

Biodiesel is an interesting alternative to petroleum diesel as it is renewable, biodegradable, and has a low pollutant content. Yeast oils can be used for biodiesel production instead of edible oils, mitigating the use of arable land and water for biodiesel production. Maximum lipid accumulation is reached at 48 h of cultivation by the oleaginous yeast Papiliotrema laurentii UFV-1.

Golimumab improves health-related quality of life of patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis: Results of the go-care study.

Background: In recent years, improvement of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in Ulcerative colitis (UC) has become a relevant measure for treatment efficacy.

Methods: We report results from a multicenter prospective study in Italy investigating HRQoL in adult patients with UC treated with golimumab (GLM). Patients who had shown clinical response after a 6-week induction phase (w0), were followed for an additional 48 weeks (w48) (total 54-week treatment).

Isolation of a new strain that displays capacity to achieve high lipid content from xylose.

In this work, we isolated and selected oleaginous yeasts from rock field soils from two National Parks in Brazil ( and ) with the potential to accumulate oil from xylose, the main pentose sugar found in lignocellulosic biomass. From the 126 isolates, two were selected based on their lipid contents. They were taxonomically identified as (UFV-1 and UFV-2).

Tetanus-diphtheria vaccination in adults: the long-term persistence of antibodies is not dependent on polyclonal B-cell activation and the defective response to diphtheria toxoid re-vaccination is associated to HLADRB1∗01.

Cellular and humoral immune responses to tetanus-diphtheria vaccine (Td) were assessed in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-typed Italian military personnel who received multiple concomitant vaccines. Td-specific antibodies and T-lymphocytes were measured in individuals with one (group-1) and more than one (group-2) Td boosters. A third group (group-3), who received several vaccines, but not Td, was studied to verify the hypothesis of the polyclonal B-cell activation as mechanism for antibody persistence.

Immunogenicity of meningococcal polysaccharide ACWY vaccine in primary immunized or revaccinated adults.

Meningococcal polysaccharide (Men-Ps) vaccine immunogenicity following either primary immunization or revaccination in adults was evaluated. The study population consisted of subjects who have received tetravalent Men-Ps vaccine once (group 1) or at least twice, with a 2-6 dose range (group 2). Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction and specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Lack of evidence for post-vaccine onset of autoimmune/lymphoproliferative disorders, during a nine-month follow-up in multiply vaccinated Italian military personnel.

Anecdotal case reports, amplified by mass media and internet-based opinion groups, have recently indicated vaccinations as possibly responsible for autoimmunity/lymphoproliferation development. Multiply vaccinated Italian military personnel (group 1, operating in Italy, group 2, operating in Lebanon) were followed-up for nine months to monitor possible post-vaccine autoimmunity/lymphoproliferation onset. No serious adverse event was noticed in both groups.

Imaging B lymphocytes in autoimmune inflammatory diseases.

B cells arise from stem cells precursor and develop through a tightly regulated and selective process that lead to the generation of different B cell populations such as transitional, mature, memory and plasma cells. These B cell subsets can be identified using flow cytometry by the expression of specific surface antigens. The growing knowledge of the pivotal role played by B cells in the development and progression of autoimmune diseases combined with the advances in monoclonal antibody technology, led in the last years to the generation of different biological agents targeting B cells.

Imaging B lymphocytes in autoimmune inflammatory diseases.

B cells arise from stem cells precursor and develop through a tightly regulated and selective process that lead to the generation of different B cell populations such as transitional, mature, memory and plasmacells. These B cell subsets can be identified using flow cytometry by the expression of specific surface antigens. The growing knowledge of the pivotal role played by B cells in the development and progression of autoimmune diseases combined with the advances in monoclonal antibody technology, led in the last years to the generation of different biological agents targeting B cells.

Abatacept (cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4-immunoglobulin) improves B cell function and regulatory T cell inhibitory capacity in rheumatoid arthritis patients non-responding to anti-tumour necrosis factor-α agents.

The use of biological agents combined with methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients has strongly improved disease outcome. In this study, the effects of abatacept on the size and function of circulating B and T cells in RA patients not responding to anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α have been analysed, with the aim of identifying immunological parameters helpful to choosing suitable tailored therapies. We analysed the frequency of peripheral B and T cell subsets, B cell function and T regulatory cell (Treg ) inhibitory function in 20 moderate/severe RA patients, according to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, primary non-responders to one TNF-α blocking agent, who received abatacept + MTX.

Safety and immunogenicity of co-administered MF59-adjuvanted 2009 pandemic and plain 2009-10 seasonal influenza vaccines in rheumatoid arthritis patients on biologicals.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under immunosuppressive therapy are particularly susceptible to infections, mainly of the respiratory tract, thus vaccination may represent a strategy to reduce their incidence in this vulnerable population. In the 2009-10 influenza season, the safety and immunogenicity of co-administered non-adjuvanted seasonal and MF59-adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccines were evaluated in this study in 30 RA patients under therapy with anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α agents or Abatacept and in 13 healthy controls (HC). Patients and HC underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation before (T0), 1 (T1) and 6 months (T2) after vaccinations.

Infection risk in rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthropathy patients under treatment with DMARDs, corticosteroids and TNF-α antagonists.

Background: Infections which complicate rheumatic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) (Psoriatic Arthritis [PA] and Ankylosing Spondylitis [AS]), may cause significant morbidity and mortality. However, among the studies on the incidence rate (IR) of infections in such patients, very few have involved controls and the results have been controversial, probably due to methodological difficulties.To estimate infection rates in RA and SpA patients under disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), corticosteroids (CS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α antagonists, alone or combined, a single-centre retrospective observational cohort study has been performed.

Lack of hepatitis B virus reactivation after anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment in potential occult carriers with chronic inflammatory arthropathies.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in patients positive for antibody to HB core antigen (anti-HBc), negative for HB surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV-DNA (potential occult HBV carriers), treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, is a debated question. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety of anti-TNFα therapy in anti-HBc positive/HBsAg negative subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthropathy (SpA).

Methods: All consecutive HBsAg negative RA and SpA outpatients referring to the Immuno-Rheumatology Institute at the S.

May etanercept and PTH (1-34) association heal erosions in early rheumatoid arthritis? A pilot study.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by the formation in the joints of an inflammatory tissue, which causes the appearance of localized erosions on the margins of the joints. The molecular mechanism that causes the bone erosion is multifactorial. Inflammatory cytokines imbalance and OPG-RANK-L system are involved.

Can the association of Ciclosporine A and Methotrexate maintain remission/low disease activity induced by etanercept in early Rheumatoid Arthritis patients? Evaluation by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The opportunity to induce remission/low disease activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients has been achieved in recent years by the adoption of more sensitive diagnostic methods [Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), ultrasonography] and early aggressive treatments (combination of biologics and synthetic DMARDs). On the other hand, data are still scarce and contrasting about the management of long-term remission. The aim of this preliminary study is to evaluate whether the association of Methotrexate + Ciclosporine A (MTX + CSA) therapy in early RA (eRA) patients is able to maintain remission/low disease activity and avoid structural progression, evaluated by MRI.

Interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis in the era of biologics.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) represents a severe manifestation in connective tissue diseases (CTD), with an overall incidence of 15%, and it is still a challenge for clinicians evaluation and management. ILD is the most common manifestation of lung involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), observed in up to 80% of biopsies, 50% of chest Computed Tomography (CT) and only 5% of chest radiographs. Histopatological patterns of ILD in RA may present with different patterns, such as: usual interstitial pneumonia, non specific interstitial pneumonia, desquamative interstitial pneumonia, organizing pneumonia, and eosinophilic infiltration.

Cyclosporine A in the long-term management of systemic lupus erythematosus.

To retrospectively evaluate safety and efficacy of long-term treatment with Cyclosporine A (CSA) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) poorly responsive to treatment with corticosteroids (CCS) and/or conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), SLE patients who had received CSA-based induction and maintenance regimens according to disease activity were recorded. Efficacy was assessed using the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and laboratory analyses. Forty SLE patients (including 18 with lupus nephritis, 11 with neurological involvement and 7 with overlap syndromes (4 Sjögren's syndrome, 2 myasthenia gravis and 1 Behçet's disease) were recorded.

Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (MW 1,500-2,000 kDa; HyalOne) in symptomatic osteoarthritis of the hip: a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of hyaluronic acid-based products for the treatment of hip osteoarthritis, but data from observational studies of normal medical practice are scarce. This study investigated the long-term efficacy and tolerability of ultrasound-guided intra-articular sodium hyaluronate (MW 1,500-2,000 kDa; Hyalone) injections in daily clinical practice.

Methods: In this observational, cohort study of patients with hip osteoarthritis, Hyalone was administered under the ultrasound guidance, every 6 months, with the possibility of an additional injection at the intervening 3-month intervals on clinical request.

Reversion of resistance to immunosuppressive agents in three patients with psoriatic arthritis by cyclosporine A: modulation of P-glycoprotein function.

Secondary resistance may be a major problem in the management of autoimmune diseases. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) over-function has been described as a mechanism of drug resistance in autoimmune patients. P-gp function can in vitro be inhibited by cyclosporine A (CSA) and verapamil; moreover, P-gp reduction by CSA in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis has been demonstrated.

Viscosupplementation in the management of ankle osteoarthritis: a review.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of synovial joints and is the most common cause of chronic pain. Viscosupplementation (VS) with hyaluronic acid (HA) is largely used for knee osteoarthritis therapy but the evidence for its usefulness in ankle osteoarthritis is limited. The objective of this review is to assess the efficacy of viscosupplementation treatment of ankle osteoarthritis in the current literature.

Health-related quality of life and disability in patients with rheumatoid, early rheumatoid and early psoriatic arthritis treated with etanercept.

Purpose: To assess health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), early RA and early psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and to evaluate the efficacy of etanercept in reducing disability.

Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers, 40 RA, 20 early RA and 20 early PsA patients were recruited. All patients received etanercept plus methotrexate.

Influenza vaccine administration in rheumatoid arthritis patients under treatment with TNFalpha blockers: safety and immunogenicity.

Twenty-eight patients with low-moderate, stable rheumatoid arthritis (RA), under treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha blockers, were immunized at least once with non-adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine during three consecutive influenza seasons. Antibodies toward A influenza antigens significantly increased and reached protective levels, still detectable 6 months after vaccination, both in RA patients and healthy controls. Response to B antigen instead was only observed from the second year for healthy controls and in the third year for patients.

Imaging progression despite clinical remission in early rheumatoid arthritis patients after etanercept interruption.

The aim of this preliminary study is to evaluate clinical and imaging response in twenty patients with early Rheumatoid Arthritits (eRA) treated with Etanercept (Etn) + Methotrexate (Mtx) and to investigate whether clinical and MRI remission may be maintained after biological therapy interruption. Assessment included: radiography, Visser score and anti-CCP antibodies at baseline; disease activity score in 44 joints (DAS44), rheumatoid factor (RF), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of hands and wrists at baseline (T0), 12 (T1), and 24 months (T2). MRI was scored for synovitis, bone oedema and erosions (OMERACT study); patients who reached clinical and imaging remission at T1 were considered eligible for interrupting Etn.

More severe nailfold capillaroscopy findings and anti-endothelial cell antibodies. Are they useful tools for prognostic use in systemic sclerosis?

Objective: Anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) have been described in systemic sclerosis (SSc) but their clinical relevance is unclear.

Methods: Aim of this study was to measure serum levels of AECA in 62 SSc patients, examining the main clinical and laboratory features, including nailfold capillaroscopy (NC) abnormalities and looking for any significant association.

Results: Fourteen patients (23%) were AECA positive.

Two-year follow-up in an early rheumatoid arthritis patient treated with etanercept: radiological involvement despite clinical remission.

This case report describes an excellent clinical and radiological response in an eRA patient treated with Etanercept; however, it indicates that joint damage may progress, despite a sustained clinical remission, after Etanercept suspension.