Comparative Study of Adalimumab, Infliximab and Certolizumab Pegol in the Treatment of Cystoid Macular Edema Due to Behçet's Disease.

The leading cause of blindness due to non-infectious uveitis is cystoid macular edema (CME). Behçet's disease (BD) is one of the most commonly conditions related to CME. To compare the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab (ADA), infliximab (IFX) and certolizumab (CZP) in refractory CME due to BD.

Strategies to improve cardiovascular health and treatment of dyslipidemia in Spain. Expert Insights Project.

Objectives: To gather opinions, recommendations, and proposals for improvement from Spanish clinicians on cardiovascular (CV) health, with particular focus on dyslipidemia management.

Methods: The Expert Insights project involved 8face-to-face sessions held throughout Spain, attended by 138 CV health experts. Clinicians answered to 25 questions survey related to CV health and dyslipidemia control.

Dynamics of HLA and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibodies during pregnancy.

Background: Alloantibodies, especially anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies (HLA antibodies), and autoantibodies, as angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibodies (AT1R antibodies), may complicate the access and the course of transplantation. Pregnancy is a known source of HLA antibodies, with most studies evaluating pregnancy-induced sensitization by complement-dependent cytotoxicity assays, mainly after childbirth. AT1R antibodies have been evaluated in the context of preeclampsia.

Retinal vein occlusion in the general population after COVID-19 vaccination and infection.

Introduction: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is mostly a consequence of vascular risk factors (VRF). COVID-19 vaccines have been related to vascular and thrombotic events (VTE).

Objective: To assess the RVO incidence in the general population in our health area and the possible relation with COVID-19 infection and vaccination.

Predictors of Preeclampsia in the First Trimester in Normotensive and Chronic Hypertensive Pregnant Women.

Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by the new onset of hypertension (HT) and proteinuria beyond the 20th week of gestation. We aimed to find the best predictor of PE and find out if it is different in women with or without HT. Consecutively attended pregnant women were recruited in the first trimester of pregnancy and followed-up.

Comparison of ANA testing by indirect immunofluorescence or solid-phase assays in a low pre-test probability population for systemic autoimmune disease: the Camargo Cohort.

Objectives: Autoantibodies and, specifically antinuclear antibodies (ANA), are the hallmark of systemic autoimmune diseases (AID). In the last decades, there has been great technical development to detect these autoantibodies along with an increased request for this test by clinicians, while the overall pre-test probability has decreased. In this study, we compare the diagnostic performance of three different methods for ANA screening (indirect immunofluorescence [IIF], addressable laser bead immunoassay [ALBIA], and fluorescence enzyme immunoassay [FEIA]).

High incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. A case-control study.

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of clinical fragility fractures in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and analyze risk factors for fracture.

Methods: Incidence of clinical fragility fractures in 330 postmenopausal women with RA was compared to that of a control population of 660 age-matched postmenopausal Spanish women. Clinical fractures during the previous five years were recorded.

Bone Metabolism in Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Case-control Study.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the hair follicles. The aim of this case-control study was to assess whether HS is associated with disturbances in trabecular bone score, bone mineral density, bone remodelling markers, and calciotropic hormones. A total of 81 patients and 79 controls of similar age and sex were included.

Optimisation of tocilizumab therapy in giant cell arteritis. A multicentre real-life study of 471 patients.

Objectives: Tocilizumab (TCZ) is the only biologic therapy approved for giant cell arteritis (GCA). There is general agreement on the initial/maintenance dose, duration of TCZ therapy is not well established. In GiACTA trial, after one year on TCZ, most patients had GCA relapse after withdrawal.

Blood group O is associated with post-COVID-19 syndrome in outpatients with a low comorbidity index.

Background: ABO blood group system modulates the inflammatory response and has been implicated in COVID-19. Group O protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection, but there are no data regarding post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). Our aim was to assess this possible association.

Design and synthesis of a novel non peptide CN-NFATc signaling inhibitor for tumor suppression in triple negative breast cancer.

The Ca2/calmodulin-mediated phosphatase activity of calcineurin (CN) integrates calcium-mediated signaling with gene expression programs involved in the control of essential cellular processes in health and disease, such as the immune response and the pathogenesis of cancer progression and metastasis. In addition, CN is the target of the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporine A (CsA) and FK-506 which are the cornerstone of immunosuppressant therapy. Unfortunately, long-term administration of these drugs results in severe side effects.

Delayed Use of the Recombinant Human IL-1 Receptor Antagonist Anakinra in Five COVID-19 Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis and Persistent Hypoxaemia: A Preliminary Report.

Unlabelled: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a major public health problem. The development of pulmonary fibrosis secondary to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the expected sequelae. In this case series, we describe five instances of the use of anakinra in late-phase COVID-19 pneumonia in hospitalized patients with pulmonary fibrosis and refractory respiratory failure fulfilling ARDS criteria.

Long-term survival of renal transplantation in patients with lupus nephritis: experience from a single university centre.

Objectives: Lupus nephritis (LN) is a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Unfortunately, 10-20% of patients with LN develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and renal transplantation may be a therapeutic option. However, concerns about LN recurrence after transplant have been reported.

3D analysis of bone mineral density in a cohort: age- and sex-related differences.

Unlabelled: Women have lower areal BMD (g/cm) than men; however, the women have smaller-size bones. Our study showed that women ≤ 59 years have a hip volumetric BMD by DXA 3D similar to that of men of the same age. This makes us think about the importance of taking into account bone size at the time of analyzing the sex-related differences in bone mass.

COVID-19 Crisis Reduces Free Tropospheric Ozone Across the Northern Hemisphere.

Throughout spring and summer 2020, ozone stations in the northern extratropics recorded unusually low ozone in the free troposphere. From April to August, and from 1 to 8 kilometers altitude, ozone was on average 7% (≈4 nmol/mol) below the 2000-2020 climatological mean. Such low ozone, over several months, and at so many stations, has not been observed in any previous year since at least 2000.

Intravenous methylprednisolone induces rapid improvement in non-infectious uveitis: a multicentre study of 112 patients.

Objectives: Rapid control of intraocular inflammation in non-infectious uveitis (NIU) is mandatory to avoid irreversible structural and functional damage. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) pulses in the treatment of NIU.

Methods: A retrospective case series of 112 patients who received IVMP for the treatment of NIU, either isolated or associated with different underlying diseases, was studied.

National digestive disease specialists survey on cardiovascular risk management in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in spanish hospitals.

Background & Aims: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of mortality among non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. The aim was to explore the level of knowledge and clinical management of cardiovascular risk (CVR) in NAFLD patients by Digestive Disease specialists.

Methods: An anonymous web-based survey was designed with 44 close-ended questions, divided into five sections, that were based on current guidelines on CVD prevention.

Long-term Follow-up and Optimization of Infliximab in Refractory Uveitis Due to Behçet Disease: National Study of 103 White Patients.

Objective: In a large series of White patients with refractory uveitis due to Behçet disease (BD) being treated with infliximab (IFX), we assessed (1) long-term efficacy and safety of IFX, and (2) IFX optimization when ocular remission was achieved.

Methods: Our multicenter study of IFX-treated patients with BD uveitis refractory to conventional immunosuppressant agents treated 103 patients/185 affected eyes with IFX as first biologic therapy in the following intervals: 3-5 mg/kg intravenous at 0, 2, 6, and then every 4-8 weeks. The main outcome variables were analyzed at baseline, first week, first month, sixth month, first year, and second year of IFX therapy.

Reducing residual thrombotic risk in patients with peripheral artery disease: impact of the COMPASS trial.

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are at a high risk not only for the classical cardiovascular (CV) outcomes (major adverse cardiovascular events; MACE) but also for vascular limb events (major adverse limb events; MALE). Therefore, a comprehensive approach for these patients should include both goals. However, the traditional antithrombotic approach with only antiplatelet agents (single or dual antiplatelet therapy) does not sufficiently reduce the risk of recurrent thrombotic events.

Prescriptive Reference Standards of Third-Trimester Cerebroplacental Ratio and Its Physiological Determinants.

Objective: To construct valid reference standards reflecting optimal cerebroplacental ratio and to explore its physiological determinants.

Methods: A cohort of 391 low-risk pregnancies of singleton pregnancies of nonmalformed fetuses without maternal medical conditions and with normal perinatal outcomes was created. Doppler measurements of the middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery were performed at 24-42 weeks.

Residual risk reduction opportunities in patients with chronic coronary syndrome. Role of dual pathway inhibition.

Introduction: In this review, the role of the rivaroxaban-plus-aspirin approach (dual pathway inhibition - DPI) in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) and to perform practical recommendations about its use was updated.

Areas Covered: The contents of this review were proposed in an expert meeting. To identify relevant articles, a systematic search of Medline/Embase was performed (to July 2019), using the key words 'rivaroxaban', 'vascular dose', 'COMPASS' and 'coronary artery disease' in the search strategy.