Anti-SAE autoantibody in dermatomyositis: original comparative study and review of the literature.

Objective: Among specific autoantibodies in DM, the anti-small ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme (SAE) antibody is rare. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics, cancer prevalence, and muscle pathology of anti-SAE-positive DM.

Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of DM and sera positive for the anti-SAE antibody were recruited from 19 centres in this retrospective observational study.

State of the art in AIT: The patients' perspective.

Background: On the occasion of the 110 anniversary of allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), the question arises of "how do patients feel about AIT?".

Materials And Methods: Informed by questions and feedback provided to MeinAllergiePortal, an online survey with a target of 130 responses was devised and offered for completion by readers. All visitors of MeinAllergiePortal categories addressing inhalant allergies were invited to participate in the survey.

Cardiac involvement in adult-onset Still's disease: Manifestations, treatments and outcomes in a retrospective study of 28 patients.

Objective: Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare inflammatory disease that may be life-threatening if complicated by cardiac problems. We performed a retrospective multicenter study to describe the manifestations, treatments and outcomes of cardiac involvement in AOSD.

Methods: We reviewed the medical databases of eight centers.

Preparation of spiro[4.4]oxaphospholene and -azaphospholene systems from carbohydrate templates.

Introduction of a spiro-phosphorus cycle in position 3 of monosaccharidic derivatives was studied starting from cyanohydrin or aminonitrile A. A two-step procedure involving (i) phosphonylation and (ii) carbanion-mediated phosphonate intramolecular cyclization (denoted CPIC) was used. The necessity of having an electron-withdrawing group α to the phosphorus atom in order to avoid undesired reactions was demonstrated.

Outcome of anti-PL12 positive patients with antisynthetase syndrome.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the outcome in anti-PL12 patients with antisynthetase syndrome (ASS).

Methods: The medical records of anti-PL12 (n=5) patients with ASS were retrospectively analyzed without prior selection. To exclude false-positive patients, we included patients who were successively tested positive for anti-PL12 antibody at least twice by immunodot and/or Western blot.

Clinical manifestations and outcome of anti-PL7 positive patients with antisynthetase syndrome.

Background: The aims of the present study were to determine both clinical manifestations and outcome of anti-PL7 patients with antisynthetase syndrome (ASS).

Methods: The medical records of 15 consecutive anti-PL7 patients with biopsy proven ASS were retrospectively analyzed without prior selection.

Results: Anti-PL7 patients exhibited polymyositis (n=14) and dermatomyositis (n=1); extra-pulmonary manifestations of ASS included: Raynaud's phenomenon (40%), mechanic's hands (33.

Interstitial lung disease in anti-Jo-1 patients with antisynthetase syndrome.

Objective: To assess the outcome of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in anti-Jo-1 patients with antisynthetase syndrome, determine predictive variables of ILD deterioration in these patients, and compare features of anti-Jo-1 patients with and without ILD.

Methods: Ninety-one anti-Jo-1 patients were identified by medical records search in 4 medical centers. All of these patients had undergone pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans.

Comparison of long-term outcome between anti-Jo1- and anti-PL7/PL12 positive patients with antisynthetase syndrome.

The aims of the present study were to: compare the characteristics between antisynthetase syndrome (ASS) patients with anti-Jo1 antibody and those with anti-PL7/PL12 antibody. The medical records of 95 consecutive patients with ASS were reviewed. Seventy-five of these patients had anti-Jo1 antibody; the other patients had anti-PL7 (n=15) or anti-PL12 (n=5) antibody.

Synthesis and in vitro activity of novel N-3 acylated TSAO-T compounds against HIV-1 and HCV.

Preparation of a small library of derivatives of the potent HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase inhibitor TSAO-T bearing mono or di-carbonyl substituents (designed after docking analysis) at position N-3 is reported. A one-pot synthetic methodology has been developed that involves: (i) mono-reaction of TSAO-T with glutaryl dichloride under phase transfer conditions and (ii) in situ acyclic substitution of the remaining chloro atom by oxygen or nitrogen nucleophiles. The method is compatible with the polyfunctionality of the TSAO-T molecule, proceeds with high conversion yields and allows introducing molecular diversity.

[TRAPS: clinical significance of genotype. A report of two cases].

Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor receptor associated periodic fever syndrome (TRAPS) is defined as recurrent attacks of generalized inflammation for which no infectious or auto-immune cause can be identified; it is caused by dominantly inherited mutations in the gene encoding the first TNF receptor. We report two additional cases of patients with TRAPS, suggesting that mutation pattern of TNFRSF 1A gene may influence the TRAPS phenotype.

Case Reports: The first patient, with a C30S mutation, exhibited severe digestive clinical manifestations; because the patient required high-dose corticosteroids regimen to improve TRAPS manifestations, he was further given successfully etanercept.

Controlled release of bisphosphonate from a calcium phosphate biomaterial inhibits osteoclastic resorption in vitro.

Calcium phosphate biomaterials such as calcium deficient apatite (CDA) have been contemplated as carrier for delivery of bisphosphonate in bone tissues. In the present work, we have investigated the in vitro biological properties of Zoledronate-loaded CDA. CDA was loaded with zoledronate according to a previously described coating process.

Enantioselective synthesis and selective monofunctionalization of (4R,6R)-4,6- dihydroxy-2,8-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane.

An efficient, enantioselective synthesis of a disubstituted bis-THF scaffold 5 is described, as well as an efficient differentiation of the 1,3-diol unit. [reaction: see text]

Novel biomaterials for bisphosphonate delivery.

One type of gem-bisphosphonate (Zoledronate) has been chemically associated onto calcium phosphate (CaP) compounds of various compositions. For that purpose, CaP powders of controlled granulometry have been suspended in aqueous Zoledronate solutions of variable concentrations. Using mainly (31)P NMR spectroscopy, two different association modes have been observed, according to the nature of the CaP support and/or the initial concentration of the Zoledronate solution.

Synthesis of thiaazaheterocycle nucleoside analogues.

The syntheses of thiazinone, thiazinedione and thiazolinone base modified nucleoside analogues have been discussed in both the deoxy- and ribosyl series. Both inter- and intramolecular N-glycosylations were evaluated.

Effect of alfacalcidol on natural course of renal bone disease in mild to moderate renal failure.

Objective: To determine whether alfacalcidol--used in management of overt renal bone disease--may safely prevent renal bone disease when used earlier in course of renal failure.

Design: Double blind, prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study.

Setting: 17 nephrology centres from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.