Association between autoimmune rheumatic diseases and head and neck cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Personal history of autoimmune rheumatic diseases has been implicated in the development of malignant neoplasms. Our aim was to assess the risk of head and neck (H&N) cancers in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Methods: The articles search included PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar with no language restrictions for studies published from inception of the databases to August 20, 2022, assessing the risk of H&N cancer in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Vitamin D Presented In Vitro Immunomodulatory Property on T Lymphocyte-Related Cytokines in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Inflammatory T lymphocyte cytokines contribute to tissue damage in SLE patients. Vitamin D (Vit D) has a well-established immunomodulatory action, but few studies have addressed the effect of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25 (OH)2D3) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in SLE patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immnunomodulatory effect of 1,25 (OH)2D3 on T lymphocyte-related cytokines.

Participating as a research team during the COVID-19 pandemic benefits mental health of undergraduate medical students in Brazil.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, undergraduate medical students (UMS) exposed to isolation, social distancing and complete or partial face-to-face educational activities interruption may present increased stress, depression and anxiety. This study was undertaken to evaluate if, during isolation, UMS involved in online group activities as investigators of a research project (volunteer group) would present better mental health than their colleagues, not involved in that research (control group). A Web-based survey, via the Google Forms platform, including details on demographic data, life habits, previous health conditions, worries with the COVID-19 pandemic, sleep pattern modifications and depression, anxiety and mental stress, using the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale) was implemented from 20 July to 31 August 2020.

Factors associated with poor outcomes in SLE patients with COVID-19: Data from .

Objectives: To evaluate factors associated with COVID-19 severity outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of a prospective, multi-stage cohort study-"The ReumaCoV Brazil"-designed to monitor patients with immune-mediated rheumatologic disease (IMRD) during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. SLE adult patients with COVID-19 were compared with those without COVID-19.

VI Brazilian consensus guidelines for detection of anti-cell autoantibodies on HEp-2 cells.

Background: The VI Brazilian Consensus on Autoantibodies against HEp-2 cells for determination of autoantibodies against cellular constituents on HEp-2 cells was held on September, 2019, in Fortaleza (CE, Brazil). The guidelines in this edition were formulated by the group of Brazilian experts discussing the classification of complex patterns, the classification of the nuclear discrete dots (few and multiple), the identification of the discrete fine speckled pattern (AC-4a) and improvements on the ANA report.

Mainbody: Sixteen Brazilian researchers and experts from universities and clinical laboratories representing the various geographical regions of Brazil participated in the meeting.

Outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with primary systemic vasculitis or polymyalgia rheumatica from the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance physician registry: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Patients with primary systemic vasculitis or polymyalgia rheumatica might be at a high risk for poor COVID-19 outcomes due to the treatments used, the potential organ damage cause by primary systemic vasculitis, and the demographic factors associated with these conditions. We therefore aimed to investigate factors associated with COVID-19 outcomes in patients with primary systemic vasculitis or polymyalgia rheumatica.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, adult patients (aged ≥18 years) diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 12, 2020, and April 12, 2021, who had a history of primary systemic vasculitis (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody [ANCA]-associated vasculitis, giant cell arteritis, Behçet's syndrome, or other vasculitis) or polymyalgia rheumatica, and were reported to the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance registry were included.

Validation of the Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Screen II (ToPAS II) questionnaire in a Brazilian population.

The Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Screen II (ToPAS II) was developed as a tool to screen patients with probable psoriatic arthritis. We aimed to evaluate the validation of the ToPAS II questionnaire in a Brazilian population. The Portuguese translation of the ToPAS II was sent to us by the developer authors of the original index, and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese.

Epidemiologic Features of Systemic Vasculitides in the Southeast Region of Brazil: Hospital-Based Survey.

Background/objective: The epidemiology of vasculitis is variable in different geographic areas, and this issue has not been approached in Brazil yet. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of vasculitis in specialized centers in Brazil.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 9 vasculitis outpatient clinics from 6 different states mainly from the Southeast and the Northeast regions of Brazil between 2015 and 2017.

Lupus Nephritis Class IV-Global Is Associated with a Higher Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease than Class IV-Segmental.

Introduction: The International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) classification of lupus nephritis (LN) divides class IV into segmental and global (IV-S and IV-G) based on evidence suggesting different renal outcomes. However, subsequent studies have shown conflicting results.

Objective: This study was performed to compare long-term renal outcomes between the IV-S and IV-G classes.

Distinctive features of positive anti-cell antibody tests (indirect immunofluorescence on HEp-2 cells) in patients with non-autoimmune diseases.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether characteristics of positive results in the indirect immunofluorescence assay on HEp-2 cells for anti-cell antibodies (HEp-2 IFA) differ between patients with non-autoimmune diseases (NADs) and patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs).

Methods: Cross-sectional observational study comparing HEp-2 IFA test results in three groups: (a) 558 NAD patients comprising four subgroups (cancer ( n = 95), infectious diseases ( n = 148), psychiatric diseases ( n = 163), common non-infectious chronic diseases ( n = 152)); (b) 194 SARD patients; (c) 1217 healthy individuals (HIs). Sera were tested at 1:80 dilution and diluted to the end titer.

CD4CD45RAFOXP3 Regulatory T Cells as Potential Biomarkers of Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Brazilian Patients.

Heren, we analyzed Treg cells as potential biomarkers of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 30 SLE patients (15 active: SLEDAI > 6/15 SLE remission: SLEDAI< 6) and 15 healthy volunteers were purified. Treg immunophenotyping was performed using CD4, CD25, CD45, CD127, and FOXP3 markers.

Different profile of cytokine production in patients with systemic sclerosis and association with clinical manifestations.

Immune dysregulation is a central process in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Cytokines produced by lymphocytes and monocytes are important mediators and induce tissue damage, recruit additional inflammatory cells, and promote extracellular matrix production and fibrosis. In the present research, we aimed to study the associations between levels of cytokines in serum and culture supernatants from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and clinical manifestations in SSc patients.

Recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology for the induction therapy of ANCA-associated vasculitis.

The purpose of these recommendations is to guide the appropriate induction treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients with active disease. The recommendations proposed by the Vasculopathies Committee of the Brazilian Society Rheumatology for induction therapy of AAV, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis and renal-limited vasculitis, were based on systematic literature review and expert opinion. Literature review was performed using Medline (PubMed), EMBASE and Cochrane database to retrieve articles until October 2016.

Geographic variation as a risk factor for digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients: a multicentre registry.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of geographic variation on the risk of digital ulcer (DU) development in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional, multicentre study evaluated patients with SSc from centres located in different geographic regions of Brazil (subtropical and tropical climate zones). Demographic and clinical data were collected.

(18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and serum cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases in the assessment of disease activity in Takayasu's arteritis.

Objective: To evaluate (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and serum levels of different cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) and associations with disease activity.

Methods: Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-18, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were measured in 36 TA patients and 36 controls. Maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) of (18)F-FDG in arterial walls was determined by PET-CT scans.

[F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and serum cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases in the assessment of disease activity in Takayasu's arteritis].

Objective: To evaluate F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT)-and serum levels of different cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in patients with Takayasu's arteritis (TA) and associations with disease activity.

Methods: Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-18, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were measured in 36 TA patients and 36 controls. Maximum standard uptake value (SUV) of 18F-FDG in arterial walls was determined by PET-CT scans.

Thrombotic events in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome treated with rivaroxaban: a series of eight cases.

The current treatment for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) with thrombotic manifestation is long-term anticoagulation. Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are usually the agents of choice. However, VKA limitations, such as unpredictable anticoagulation effects due to interaction with diet and other drugs, require regular monitoring.

Increased Serum Interleukin-9 Levels in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Pathogenic Role or Just an Epiphenomenon?

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the levels of IL-9 in patients with SLE and RA compared with controls and the association of IL-9 levels with clinical and laboratory parameters. IL-9 levels were assessed in 117 SLE patients, 67 RA patients, and 24 healthy controls by ELISA. Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded.

[Oral N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon secondary to systemic sclerosis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial].

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) orally on digital microcirculation blood flow in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) secondary to systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 42 patients with SSc received oral NAC at a dose of 600mg tid (21 patients, mean age 45.6±9.

Hydroxychloroquine decreases Th17-related cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objectives: Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial agent that has been used in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis treatment for many years. Recently, novel mechanisms of action have been proposed, thereby broadening the therapeutic perspective of this medication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of hydroxychloroquine in T helper 17 (Th17) cytokines in healthy individuals and patients.

Increased serum interleukin 22 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and correlation with disease activity.

Objective: To analyze the role of interleukin 22 (IL-22) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: IL-22 serum levels were measured in 83 patients with established RA under treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and in 30 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Patients were assessed for clinical and laboratory variables.

Takayasu arteritis: assessment of response to medical therapy based on clinical activity criteria and imaging techniques.

In this retrospective longitudinal cohort study we included 52 patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) who were on regular follow-up at the Vasculitis Unit of Universidade Federal de São Paulo between 2003 and 2009. The mean age at study was 38 years and the mean age at diagnosis was 29 years. Patients were followed for a mean 74.

Pattern on the antinuclear antibody-HEp-2 test is a critical parameter for discriminating antinuclear antibody-positive healthy individuals and patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Objective: To identify features of antinuclear antibody (ANA)-HEp-2 test results that discriminate ANA-positive healthy individuals and patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs).

Methods: We sequentially retrieved data on 918 healthy individuals and 153 patients with ARDs after clinical assessment. ANA-positive healthy individuals for whom data were available were reevaluated after 3.