Objectives: Little is known about how various treatments impact the progression of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Here, we compared ILD progression in RA patients treated with Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) or biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). experiments were also performed to evaluate the potential effects of the drugs on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a key event in pulmonary fibrosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiologically produced protein drugs are generally susceptible to degradation by proteases and often exhibit immunogenicity. To address this issue, mirror-image peptide/protein binders consisting of D-amino acids have been developed so far through the mirror-image phage display technique. Here, we develop a mirror-image protein binder derived from a monobody, one of the promising protein scaffolds, utilizing two notable technologies: chemical protein synthesis and TRAP display, an improved version of mRNA display.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Muscle fatigue is considered a risk factor for hamstring injury (HSI), which occurs during high-speed running. To decrease this risk, higher gluteal muscle activity may have a role to play. This study aimed to compare the muscle activities of the gluteus maximus (GMax) and hamstring (HS) muscles between HSI-experienced and inexperienced people in pre- and post-fatigue conditions during the swing and stance phases of running.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe sought to clarify the musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) findings and serum concentrations of cytokines/growth factors in glucocorticoid-resistant polymyalgia rheumatica (GC-R PMR). Patients with PMR admitted to Nagasaki University Hospital ( = 41) were enrolled. MSUS of both shoulder joints was performed in 36 patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis exploratory study aimed to examine the impact of abatacept treatment on bone structure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). RA patients initiating either abatacept or newly introduced csDMARDs were enrolled in this prospective, non-randomized, two-group study. Bone structure in the 2nd and 3rd metacarpal heads was assessed using HR-pQCT at 0, 6, and 12 months after enrollment.
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