Impact of Age on Rheumatic Immune-related Adverse Events: Experience from the Canadian Research Group of Rheumatology in Immuno-Oncology (CanRIO).

Objective: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized cancer outcomes but are limited by immunerelated adverse events (irAE), including rheumatic irAEs (Rh-irAE). Aging is associated with increased inflammation, referred to as "inflamm-aging". In this study, we explore the impact of age on severity, frequency, and treatment of Rh-irAEs.

A Bayesian adaptive feasibility design for rare diseases.

It is important for researchers to carefully assess the feasibility of a clinical trial prior to the launch of the study. One feasibility aspect that needs to be considered includes whether investigators can expect to successfully achieve the sample size needed for their trial. In this manuscript, we present a Bayesian design in which data collected during a pilot study is used to predict the feasibility of a planned phase III trial.

Characterization of Incident Interstitial Lung Disease in Late Systemic Sclerosis.

Objective: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common and potentially lethal complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Screening by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is recommended in all patients with risk factors, including early disease. Little is known on late presentations of ILD.

Anti-SMN autoantibodies in mixed connective tissue disease are associated with a severe systemic sclerosis phenotype.

Objectives: The survival of motor neuron (SMN) complex has an essential role in the assembly of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (RNP). Recent reports have described autoantibodies (aAbs) to the SMN complex as novel biomarkers in anti-U1RNP+ myositis patients. The aim of this study was to compare phenotypic features of anti-U1RNP+ mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) patients with and without anti-SMN aAbs.

Capillary pathology with prominent basement membrane reduplication is the hallmark histopathological feature of scleromyositis.

Aims: We aim to perform ultrastructural and histopathological analysis of muscle biopsies from a large group of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, including some with early/mild SSc features, and examine whether capillary pathology differentiates 'scleromyositis' (SM) from other auto-immune myositis (AIM) subsets.

Methods: Muscle biopsies from a total of 60 SM patients and 43 AIM controls from two independent cohorts were examined by electron microscopy, collagen-4 immunofluorescence (Col4IF) and routine light microscopy.

Results: Ultrastructural examination revealed prominent capillary basement membrane (BM) reduplication (4+ layers in >50% of capillaries) in 65% of SM vs 0% of AIM controls (p < 0.

Photocuring Graphene Oxide Liquid Crystals for High-Strength Structural Materials.

Graphene is the strongest known material. However, the challenge of translating that strength from the microscale to the more useful macroscale remains unmet. Preparing solid structures from self-assembled graphene oxide liquid crystals has allowed the creation of paper and fibers with excellent mechanical properties.

Screening and management of subclinical interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: an international survey.

Objective: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the leading cause of mortality in SSc. Experts now recommend high-resolution CT (HRCT) screening in all SSc patients and treatment of subclinical ILD in SSc patients with high-risk phenotypes. We undertook an international survey to understand current screening and treatment practices in subclinical SSc-ILD.

Association between autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis and cancer in a national registry.

Objective: A close temporal relationship between SSc onset and cancer has been reported in anti-RNA polymerase III-positive patients. We investigated the association between cancer and other SSc autoantibodies in a national SSc registry.

Methods: SSc patients enrolled in the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group registry from 2004 to 2019 were characterized according to autoantibodies to centromere, topoisomerase I/Scl70, RNA polymerase III, fibrillarin, Th/To (hPOP1), PM/Scl, Ku, NOR90, Ro52/TRIM21 and U1RNP.

Risk of rheumatic disease in breast implant users: a qualitative systematic review.

Background: Recent studies on the risk of rheumatic disease among breast implant users have reported conflicting results. The primary objective of this study was to provide a systematic and critical review of the literature on the association between breast implants and the risk of rheumatic disease.

Methods: A qualitative systematic review was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBM-Reviews and CINAHL Complete from database inception to June 23rd, 2021.

Immunosuppression does not prevent severe gastrointestinal tract involvement in systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: We aimed to test the hypothesis that exposure to immunosuppression in early systemic sclerosis (SSc) could modify the risk of developing new onset severe gastrointestinal (GIT) involvement.

Methods: A total of 762 subjects with <3 years of disease duration and without severe GIT disease at baseline study visit were identified from combined longitudinal cohort data from the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG) and Australian Scleroderma Interest Group (ASIG). The primary exposure was ever use of methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil and/or azathioprine during the study period.

Association between gastroprotective agents and risk of incident interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: Although interstitial lung disease (ILD) occurs in over half of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and represents a leading cause of mortality, there are currently no preventative strategies. We evaluated if gastroprotective agents were associated with a lower incident risk of SSc-ILD.

Methods: An SSc cohort without clinically apparent ILD at baseline was constructed from the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group registry.

Metal Oxide Quantum Dots Embedded in Silica Matrices Made by Flame Spray Pyrolysis.

Quantum dots have unique size-dependent properties and promising applications. However, their use in many applications remains hindered by mechanical, thermal, and chemical instability and the lack of viable quantum dot mass-production processes. Embedding quantum dots in matrices such as silica counteracts the instability challenges in some applications while preserving their unique properties and applicability.

Histopathological features of systemic sclerosis-associated myopathy: A scoping review.

Background: Scleromyositis (SM) is an emerging subset of myositis associated with features of systemic sclerosis (SSc) but it is currently not recognized as a distinct histopathological subset by the European NeuroMuscular Center (ENMC). Our aim was to review studies reporting muscle biopsies from SSc patients with myositis and to identify unique histopathological features of SM.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted and included all studies reporting histopathological findings in SSc patients with myositis searching the following databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and EBM-Reviews.

Mortality and morbidity in scleroderma renal crisis: A systematic literature review.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to systematically review the mortality and morbidity associated with scleroderma renal crisis and to determine temporal trends.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from database inception to 10 February 2020. Bibliographies of selected articles were hand-searched for additional references.

Preexisting autoimmune disease and immune-related adverse events associated with anti-PD-1 cancer immunotherapy: a national case series from the Canadian Research Group of Rheumatology in Immuno-Oncology.

Background: Limited data are available on the safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with preexisting autoimmune diseases (PAD).

Methods: Retrospective study of patients with PAD referred for rheumatologic evaluation prior to starting or during immunotherapy between January 2013 and July 2019 from 10 academic sites across Canada. Data were extracted by chart review using a standardized form.

Recognising the spectrum of scleromyositis: HEp-2 ANA patterns allow identification of a novel clinical subset with anti-SMN autoantibodies.

Objective: To describe systemic sclerosis (SSc) with myopathy in patients without classic SSc-specific and SSc-overlap autoantibodies (aAbs), referred to as seronegative scleromyositis.

Methods: Twenty patients with seronegative scleromyositis diagnosed by expert opinion were analysed retrospectively for SSc features at myositis diagnosis and follow-up, and stratified based on HEp-2 nuclear patterns by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) according to International Consensus of Autoantibody Patterns. Specificities were analysed by protein A-assisted immunoprecipitation.

Rheumatic immune-related adverse events associated with cancer immunotherapy: A nationwide multi-center cohort.

Objective: Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized cancer therapy, their use is associated with immune toxicities referred to as immune-related adverse events (irAE). Here we describe the clinical presentation and management of rheumatic immune-related adverse events (Rh-irAE) in a national multi-center cohort.

Methods: All patients presenting with Rh-irAE at 9 academic sites across Canada between January 2013 and January 2019 were identified and included in this retrospective cohort study.

Statin-induced anti-HMGCR myopathy: successful therapeutic strategies for corticosteroid-free remission in 55 patients.

Objective: To describe successful therapeutic strategies in statin-induced anti-HMGCR myopathy.

Methods: Retrospective data from a cohort of 55 patients with statin-induced anti-HMGCR myopathy, sequentially stratified by the presence of proximal weakness, early remission, and corticosteroid and IVIG use at treatment induction, were analyzed for optimal successful induction and maintenance of remission strategies.

Results: A total of 14 patients achieved remission with a corticosteroid-free induction strategy (25%).

Operation of the Collaborative Composite Manufacturing (CCM) System.

The automated tape placement and the automated fiber placement (AFP) machines provide a safer working environment and reduce the labor intensity of workers than the traditional manual fiber placement does. Thus, the production accuracy, repeatability and efficiency of composite manufacturing are significantly improved. However, the current AFP systems can only produce the composite components with large open surface or simple revolution parts, which cannot meet the growing interest in small complex or closed structures from industry.

Association between immunosuppressive therapy and course of mild interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis.

Objective: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a leading cause of mortality in SSc. Little is known about the benefits of immunosuppressive drugs in mild ILD. Our aim was to determine whether use of CYC or MMF was associated with an improved ILD course in patients with normal or mildly impaired lung function.

Generation of a Core Set of Items to Develop Classification Criteria for Scleroderma Renal Crisis Using Consensus Methodology.

Objective: To generate a core set of items to develop classification criteria for scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) using consensus methodology.

Methods: An international, multidisciplinary panel of experts was invited to participate in a 3-round Delphi exercise developed using a survey based on items identified by a scoping review. In round 1, participants were asked to identify omissions and clarify ambiguities regarding the items in the survey.

Pulmonary function tests as outcomes for systemic sclerosis interstitial lung disease.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We performed a systematic review to characterise the use and validation of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) as surrogate markers for systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) progression.Five electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant studies.