Immunosuppressive therapy and humoral response to third mRNA COVID-19 vaccination with a six-month interval in rheumatic disease patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term impact of immunosuppressive therapeutic agents on antibody response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) mRNA vaccination in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRD) in order to propose a strategy for annual vaccination.

Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study evaluated the humoral response to second and third BNT162b2 and/or mRNA-1273 vaccines in 382 Japanese AIRD patients classified into 12 different medication groups and in 326 healthy controls (HCs). The third vaccination was administered six months after the second vaccination.

A case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with a significant response to baricitinib: a first report with review of literature.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a febrile disease with hyperinflammation characterized by activated macrophages with phagocytosis. The treatment strategy of secondary HLH has not been clearly established. Because of the high mortality rate and poor prognosis of HLH, alternative treatment strategies have been sought in treatment-resistant cases.

Antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in patients with rheumatic diseases in Japan: Interim analysis of a multicentre cohort study.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of medication on antibody response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 mRNA vaccines in Japanese patients with rheumatic diseases.

Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study evaluated the humoral response in 12 different medication groups. Antibody levels before the first vaccination and 3-6 weeks after the second vaccination were measured using the Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S assay.

Predictive factors of fetal and maternal pregnancy outcomes in Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: The number of pregnant and delivery cases in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are increasing due to the advances in therapies. However, there are many problems such as the exacerbation of SLE during pregnancy and the risk of fetal complications. We investigated the impact of both pregnancy on lupus and lupus on pregnancy in Japanese patients.

A unique multianvil 6-6 assembly for a cubic-type multianvil apparatus.

A unique way to assemble a set of second-stage anvils for a cubic multianvil apparatus when used in a 6-6 mode is proposed. A plastic frame supporting the second-stage anvils along with a newly designed tool allows us to assemble the second-stage anvils within a few minutes. The precision of anvil alignment is even better than the one attained by the ordinary method, which assembles the anvils within a metal frame in a quite time-consuming way.