BAFF system expression in double negative 2, activated naïve and activated memory B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction: B cell activating factor (BAFF) has an important role in normal B cell development. The aberrant expression of BAFF is related with the autoimmune diseases development like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) for promoting self-reactive B cells survival. BAFF functions are exerted through its receptors BAFF-R (BR3), transmembrane activator calcium modulator and cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) and B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) that are reported to have differential expression on B cells in SLE.

BAFFR expression in circulating T follicular helper (CD4CXCR5PD-1) and T peripheral helper (CD4CXCR5PD-1) cells in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Circulating T follicular helper (cTfh) and T peripheral helper (Tph) subpopulations are shown to be higher in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and have been involved in promoting extrafollicular B cell responses. However, a possible association with the B cell activating factor (BAFF), a cytokine mainly related to B cell responses and disease activity in SLE, has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association of cTfh and Tph subpopulations with the BAFF system expression and clinical activity in SLE patients.

Avant-Garde Endovascular Stent Graft Insertion in Dissected Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm.

Current guidelines and regulatory parameters for cardiothoracic surgery in the United States establish that open surgery is the first front line for treating ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAA). Despite advances in performing endovascular procedures in thoracic aortic aneurysms, there are no approved state-of-the-art techniques that allow endovascular procedures to be performed in ATAA. Thus, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) of the ascending aorta, as we will demonstrate, is a useful and effective technical opportunity for treating high-risk patients with type A dissections, intramural hematomas, and pseudoaneurysms.

Analysis of TNFSF13B polymorphisms and BAFF expression in rheumatoid arthritis and primary Sjögren's syndrome patients.

Background: The increased expression of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) has been linked to autoantibody production in autoimmune diseases (ADs). The aim of this study was to investigate the association among TNFSF13B gene (OMIM: 603969) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), TNFSF13B mRNA, and soluble BAFF (sBAFF) expression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). The diagnostic value of sBAFF also was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic or receptor (ROC) curves.