Natural killer cells are decreased in systemic sclerosis and have diagnostic value for pulmonary arterial hypertension incorporation.

The aim of this study was to investigate lymphocyte subsets, especially natural killer (NK) cells, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and evaluate the diagnostic value of NK cells in secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A total of 115 SSc patients and 100 age- and sex-matched health controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. Flow cytometry was employed to quantify NK cells, while the association between NK cells and disease activity as well as PAH was investigated to further elucidate its diagnostic potential.

Effects of different antiplatelet therapy drugs on platelet activation and platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation in early septic ARDS.

Background: In patients with sepsis, platelets are activated and adhere to neutrophils, forming platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLAs) that lead to the development of MODS. ARDS is one of the main manifestations of septic MODS. We designed this study to explore the effects of different anti-plate therapy drugs on platelet activation and platelet-leukocyte aggregate (PLA) formation in the early stage of septic ARDS.

Effect of fluid and driving pressure on cyclical "on-off" flow of pulmonary microcirculation during mechanical ventilation.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the cyclical "on-off" flow of pulmonary microcirculation during inspiration and expiration by sidestream dark field imaging (SDF) technology in vivo and investigate the effects of volume status and driving pressure on cyclical "on-off" flow of microcirculation.

Methods: 24 ARDS-modeled rabbits were randomly divided into high-driving pressure group (HDP group) and low-driving pressure group (LDP group). Lung microcirculation measurements were performed using the SDF microscope at two timepoints (T1 CVP 2-4 mmHg, T2 CVP 8-10 mmHg).

Progress in the field of animal models of antiphospholipid syndrome.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by recurrent arteriovenous thrombosis and pathological pregnancy, accompanied by persistent antiphospholipid antibodies, (aPL). The incidence of APS is increasing year by year, clinicians lack of understanding of this type of disease, easy to misdiagnose and miss the diagnosis. Therefore, it is extremely important to establish a suitable animal model to reduce the process of disease development as much as possible and improve clinicians' understanding and understanding.

Innovative Diagnosis and Therapeutic Modalities: Engineered Exosomes in Autoimmune Disease.

Autoimmune diseases refer to a group of conditions where the immune system produces an immune response against self-antigens, resulting in tissue damage. These diseases have profound impacts on the health of patients. In recent years, with the rapid development in the field of biomedicine, engineered exosomes have emerged as a noteworthy class of biogenic nanoparticles.

The association of an elevated Th/Ts ratio and lupus anticoagulant with symptomatic osteonecrosis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the risk factors for symptomatic osteonecrosis (ON) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and identify clinical characteristics and laboratory markers for predicting symptomatic ON occurrence in SLE patients.

Methods: Seventy (6.0%) of 1175 SLE patients diagnosed with symptomatic ON were included in this study.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes loaded miR-451a targets ATF2 to improve rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic joint inflammation, with synovial fibroblasts (SFs) playing a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. Dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression in SFs contributes to RA development. Exosomes (Exos) have emerged as effective carriers for therapeutic molecules, facilitating miRNA transfer between cells.

Advances of autoimmune rheumatic diseases related to malignant tumors.

Background: Malignant neoplasms are a well-recognized global public health concern, with significant impacts on human health and quality of life. The interplay between tumors and autoimmune rheumatic diseases is complex, and the resulting tumor-associated rheumatic diseases represent a rare and intricate group of conditions that occur in the context of malignant tumors. In addition, various rheumatic diseases can arise as a consequence of oncology treatment.

Pannexin1: insight into inflammatory conditions and its potential involvement in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Sepsis represents a global health concern, and patients with severe sepsis are at risk of experiencing MODS (multiple organ dysfunction syndrome), which is associated with elevated mortality rates and a poorer prognosis. The development of sepsis involves hyperactive inflammation, immune disorder, and disrupted microcirculation. It is crucial to identify targets within these processes to develop therapeutic interventions.

Immune podocytes in the immune microenvironment of lupus nephritis (Review).

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disorder caused by the loss of tolerance to endogenous nuclear antigens such as double‑stranded DNA, leading to the proliferation of T cells and subsequent activation of B cells, which results in serious organ damage and life‑threatening complications such as lupus nephritis. Lupus nephritis (LN) develops as a frequent complication of SLE, accounting for >60% of SLE cases, and is characterized by proteinuria and heterogeneous histopathological findings. Glomerular injury serves a role in proteinuria as podocyte damage is the leading contributor.

Lung Transplantation: A Viable Option for Connective Tissue Disease?

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH) caused by connective tissue disease (CTD) are one of the main causes of morbidity and death in patients. Although the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplant suggested that ILD and PH related to CTD are rare indications for lung transplantation in 2006, many lung transplantation centers are concerned that the multisystem involvement of CTD will affect survival outcomes after lung transplantation, and CTD is regarded as a relative contraindication for lung transplantation. However, long-term and short-term survival after lung transplantation in CTD patients is similar compared with survival in common indications for lung transplantation such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and no higher incidence of complications after transplantation in many lung transplant centers.

Research progress of risk factors and early diagnostic biomarkers of gout-induced renal injury.

Gout renal injury has an insidious onset, no obvious symptoms, and laboratory abnormalities in the early stages of the disease. The injury is not easily detected, and in many cases, the patients have entered the renal failure stage at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, the detection of gout renal injury-related risk factors and early diagnostic biomarkers of gout renal injury is essential for the prevention and early diagnosis of the disease.

Effect of Prone Positioning With Individualized Positive End-Expiratory Pressure in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Using Electrical Impedance Tomography.

Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) optimization during prone positioning remains under debate in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study aimed to investigate the effect of prone position on the optimal PEEP guided by electrical impedance tomography (EIT). We conducted a retrospective analysis on nineteen ARDS patients in a single intensive care unit.

Therapeutic Potential of Janus Kinase Inhibitors for the Management of Interstitial Lung Disease.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) refers to a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by lung fibroblast proliferation, interstitial inflammation, and fibrosis-induced lung damage. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway is known to be activated by pro-fibrotic/pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-13, whose levels are elevated in ILD. The overexpression of growth factors such as transforming growth factor β1 in ILD activates the JAK/STAT pathway through classical or non-classical pathways, promotes macrophage activation, increases the release of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrosis factors, and facilitates fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts.

Anti-citrullinated Protein Antibody Generation, Pathogenesis, Clinical Application, and Prospects.

Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) are autoantibodies commonly observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Currently, most of the mechanisms of ACPA formation and bone destruction are well-understood, however, some unknown mechanisms still exist. There have been many new advances in ACPA-related clinical applications and targeted therapies.

The Mechanism of Stem Cell Aging.

Stem cells have self-renewal ability and multi-directional differentiation potential. They have tissue repair capabilities and are essential for maintaining the tissue homeostasis. The depletion of stem cells is closely related to the occurrence of body aging and aging-related diseases.

Downregulating Gasdermin D Reduces Severe Acute Pancreatitis Associated with Pyroptosis.

BACKGROUND Intestinal injury plays a key role in the pathogenesis of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). In this study, we investigated the protective function of downregulated Gasdermin D (GSDMD) in intestinal damage in a mouse model of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups - the NS group, the siRNA-NS group, the SAP group, and the siRNA-SAP group - with 6 mice in each group.

Synovial membrane mesenchymal stem cells: past life, current situation, and application in bone and joint diseases.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be isolated from not only bone marrow, but also various adult mesenchymal tissues such as periosteum, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. MSCs from different tissue sources have different molecular phenotypes and differentiation potential. Synovial membrane (SM) is an important and highly specific component of synovial joints.

Biological nanoparticles carrying the Hmda-7 gene are effective in inhibiting pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Objectives: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the digestive system, and remains a clinical challenge. This study aimed to assess the effects of bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles carrying the hMDA-7 gene (BSA-NP-hMDA-7) in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Methods: BSA-NP-hMDA-7 was generated by nanotechnology and gene recombination technology.