Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in Crohn's Disease: Results from a Large Real-Life Cohort Study.

Ustekinumab (UST) is an interleukin-12/interleukin-23 receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Only limited real-life data on the long-term outcomes of CD patients treated with UST are available. This study assessed UST's long-term effectiveness and safety in a large population-based cohort of moderate to severe CD patients.

Defective germinal center selection results in persistence of self-reactive B cells from the primary to the secondary repertoire in Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) is a life-threatening clotting disorder mediated by pathogenic autoantibodies. Here we dissect the origin of self-reactive B cells in human PAPS using peripheral blood and bone marrow of patients with triple-positive PAPS via combined single-cell RNA sequencing, B cell receptors (BCR) repertoire profiling, CITEseq analysis and single cell immortalization. We find that antiphospholipid (aPL)-specific B cells are present in the naive compartment, polyreactive, and derived from the natural repertoire.

Strategic design for Research and Innovation through a participatory approach: lessons learnt in a Veterinary Public Health Institution.

The article describes the results and the experience gained in using a participatory approach to design a strategic development plan (SDP) in a veterinary public health institute. The bottom-up approach utilised was co-designed between the units of "Research and Innovation" and "Training". It included a survey administered to the institute staff (570 people) to collect inputs on three relevant areas: i) innovative research topics; ii) innovation needed to improve services; iii) new tools to carry out activities.

Defects in B-lymphopoiesis and B-cell maturation underlie prolonged B-cell depletion in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Objectives: B-cell depletion time after rituximab (RTX) treatment is prolonged in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) compared with other autoimmune diseases. We investigated central and peripheral B-cell development to identify the causes for the defect in B-cell reconstitution after RTX therapy.

Methods: We recruited 91 patients with AAV and performed deep phenotyping of the peripheral and bone marrow B-cell compartment by spectral flow and mass cytometry.

Ustekinumab safety and effectiveness in patients with ulcerative colitis: results from a large real-life study.

Background: Ustekinumab (UST) is an interleukin-12/interleukin-23 receptor antagonist recently approved for treating ulcerative colitis (UC) but with limited real-world data. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness and safety of UST in patients with UC in a real-world setting.

Research Design And Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study.

Stricturing Crohn's disease: what is the role of endoscopic stenting? A systematic review.

Background/aims: Endoscopic stenting for stricturing Crohn's disease (CD) is an emerging treatment that achieves more persistent dilatation of the stricture over time than endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD). We aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of stenting for the treatment of CD strictures.

Methods: A systematic electronic literature search was performed (PROSPERO; no.

Use of tofacitinib as first or second-line therapy is associated with better outcomes in patients with ulcerative colitis: data from a real-world study.

Background: Data regarding the real-world (RW) use of tofacitinib (TOF) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are limited. We aimed to investigate TOF's RW efficacy and safety in Italian UC patients.

Research Design And Methods: A retrospective assessment of clinical and endoscopic activity was performed according to the Mayo score.

Sleep behaviour differs in women and men with psoriatic arthritis and axial spondyloarthritis with impact on quality of life and depressive symptoms.

Objectives: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may have a profound impact on sleep and health-related quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess sleep quality and quality of life and determine associated factors in patients treated with spondyloarthritides (SpA).

Methods: Cross-sectional questionnaire-based assessment of sleep behaviour, quality of life, functional impairment and depression (Regensburg Insomnia Scale, WHO Quality of Life questionnaire, Funktionsfragebogen Hannover questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory II, Patient health questionnaire 9) and retrospective medical chart analysis of a monocentric cohort of 330 patients with SpA (n=168 PsA and n=162 axSpA).

Real-world efficacy and safety of vedolizumab in managing ulcerative colitis versus Crohn's disease: results from an Italian multicenter study.

Background: Vedolizumab (VDZ) can be used to treat refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). We assessed whether there are differences in treating UC vs CD with VDZ.

Research Design And Methods: Mayo score in UC and the Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) in CD scored the clinical activity.

JAK inhibitors differentially modulate B cell activation, maturation and function: A comparative analysis of five JAK inhibitors in an B cell differentiation model and in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of several immune-mediated diseases (IMIDs) including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis and are in clinical trials for numerous other IMIDs. However, detailed studies investigating the effects of different JAK inhibitors on B cells are missing. Within this study, we therefore aimed to characterize the effect of JAK inhibition on the B cell compartment.

Respiratory tract infections and risk factors for infection in a cohort of 330 patients with axial spondyloarthritis or psoriatic arthritis.

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are the most common infections in patients with rheumatic diseases under immunosuppressive treatment and may contribute to morbidity and mortality as well as increased healthcare costs. However, to date only limited data on infection risk in spondyloarthritis (SpA) patients are available. In this study we assessed the occurrence of respiratory tract infections in a monocentric real-world cohort consisting of 330 patients (168 psoriatic arthritis and 162 axial spondyloarthritis patients) and determined factors associated with increased infection risk.

Accuracy of QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 research use only assay and characterization of the CD4 and CD8 T cell-SARS-CoV-2 response: comparison with a homemade interferon-γ release assay.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to characterize the SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response detected by the QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 research use only assay in terms of accuracy and T cell subsets involved compared with a homemade interferon (IFN)-γ release assay (IGRA).

Methods: We evaluated T cell response by the standardized QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 tubes (antigen [Ag]1 and Ag2) and a homemade IGRA quantifying IFN-γ response to SARS-CoV-2 spike peptides (homemade-IGRA-SPIKE test). We evaluated the T cell subsets mediating the specific response using flow cytometry.

Artificial Intelligence Allows Leaving-In-Situ Colorectal Polyps.

Background & Aims: Artificial Intelligence (AI) could support cost-saving strategies for colonoscopy because of its accuracy in the optical diagnosis of colorectal polyps. However, AI must meet predefined criteria to be implemented in clinical settings.

Methods: An approved computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) module for differentiating between adenoma and nonadenoma in unmagnified white-light colonoscopy was used in a consecutive series of colonoscopies.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Miss Rate of Colorectal Neoplasia.

Background & Aims: Artificial intelligence (AI) may detect colorectal polyps that have been missed due to perceptual pitfalls. By reducing such miss rate, AI may increase the detection of colorectal neoplasia leading to a higher degree of colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention.

Methods: Patients undergoing CRC screening or surveillance were enrolled in 8 centers (Italy, UK, US), and randomized (1:1) to undergo 2 same-day, back-to-back colonoscopies with or without AI (deep learning computer aided diagnosis endoscopy) in 2 different arms, namely AI followed by colonoscopy without AI or vice-versa.

Comparison of performances of infliximab biosimilars CT-P13 versus SB2 in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases: a real-life multicenter, observational study in Italy.

Background: To compare the performances of Infliximab (IFX) biosimilar CT-P13 and SB2 in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) outpatients in Italy.

Research Design And Methods: Three hundred and eighty IBD outpatients were retrospectively evaluated. The primary endpoint was to compare the two IFX biosimilars in terms of reaching and maintenance of remission at any timepoint.

Long-term, Real-life, Observational Study in Treating Outpatient Ulcerative Colitis with Golimumab.

Background And Aims: Several studies have found Golimumab (GOL) effective and safe in the short-term treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), but few long-term data are currently available from real world. Our aim was to assess the long-term real-life efficacy and safety of GOL in managing UC outpatients in Italy.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter study assessing consecutive UC outpatients treated with GOL for at least 3-month of follow-up was made.

Hepatitis B (HBV) reactivation in patients receiving biologic therapy for chronic inflammatory diseases in clinical practice.

Introduction And Aim: Biologic treatment - particularly with the anti-TNF molecules - is frequently used in clinical practice to treat the severe form for both chronic rheumatic diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases. The immunosuppression induced by biologic therapies increases the risk of infections, including tuberculosis, as well as hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation may occur in inactive carriers or occult HBV infection (OBI) subjects during biologic therapy. This study aimed to update data on HBV prevalence and reactivation in patients receiving biologic therapy for either chronic rheumatic diseases or IBD, and to describe their management in clinical practice.

Novel 1-L polyethylene glycol + ascorbate versus high-volume polyethylene glycol regimen for colonoscopy cleansing: a multicenter, randomized, phase IV study.

Background And Aims: Adequate bowel cleansing is critical to ensure quality and safety of a colonoscopy. A novel 1-L polyethylene glycol plus ascorbate (1L-PEG+ASC) regimen was previously validated against low-volume regimens but was never compared with high-volume regimens.

Methods: In a phase IV study, patients undergoing colonoscopy were randomized 1:1 to receive split-dose 1L PEG+ASC or a split-dose 4-L PEG-based regimen (4L-PEG) in 5 Italian centers.

Vitamin D Signaling in Gastro-Rheumatology: From Immuno-Modulation to Potential Clinical Applications.

In the last decades, the comprehension of the pathophysiology of bone metabolism and its interconnections with multiple homeostatic processes has been consistently expanded. The branch of osteoimmunology specifically investigating the link between bone and immune system has been developed. Among molecular mediators potentially relevant in this field, vitamin D has been recently pointed out, and abnormalities of the vitamin D axis have been described in both in vitro and in vivo models of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and arthritis.