Renin-angiotensin system molecules are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To compare serum levels of RAS components in women with RA versus healthy females and to investigate the association between these molecules and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving female RA patients without ischemic CVD. Disease activity was assessed using the DAS28 and the CDAI.

Disability as a determinant of fatigue in MS patients.

Introduction: Fatigue is one of the most frequent and disabling symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). Central, psychological, and peripheral factors may contribute to the occurrence of fatigue.

Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate potential fatigue determinants in patients with relapsing-remitting MS with a low functional impairment.

Longitudinal assessment of clinical and inflammatory markers in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: To evaluate potential associations between clinical features and inflammatory markers in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods: A consecutive series of 68 patients (39 males and 29 females) with sporadic ALS were subjected to a comprehensive clinical assessment and blood draw. A subset of these patients underwent a new assessment within 6-12 months after the baseline visit.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Are Associated with Amyloid-β42 Burden in Alzheimer's Disease.

This study was designed to determine whether the levels of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of Angiotensin (Ang) II, Ang-(1-7), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), ACE2, Amyloid-β (Aβ)40, Aβ42, total tau (hTau), and phospho-tau (pTau) were measured in 18 patients with AD and 10 controls. Patients with AD presented decreased levels of ACE when compared with controls.

Muscle strength and psychiatric symptoms influence health-related quality of life in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Unlabelled: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular autoimmune disease characterized by skeletal muscle weakness which can impact motor function and, furthermore, produce negative impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Objective: To evaluate the predictors for HRQOL in patients with MG.

Methods: Eighty patients were evaluated with the MG Foundation of America classification and the MG Composite scale.

Body composition and adipokines plasma levels in patients with myasthenia gravis treated with high cumulative glucocorticoid dose.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in body composition, i.e. overweight, obesity, fat accumulation and low lean body mass and plasma levels of adipokines in patients with MG.

Negative impact of high cumulative glucocorticoid dose on bone metabolism of patients with myasthenia gravis.

This current study aimed to evaluate the frequency of low bone mass, osteopenia, and osteoporosis in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and to investigate the possible association between bone mineral density (BMD) and plasma levels of bone metabolism markers. Eighty patients with MG and 62 controls BMD were measured in the right femoral neck and lumbar spine by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Plasma concentrations of osteocalcin, osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, dickkopf (DKK-1), sclerostin, insulin, leptin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, parathyroid hormone, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF-23) were analyzed by Luminex®.

Silica exposure and disease in semi-precious stone craftsmen, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Background: Brazil is an exporter of precious stones and craftsmen often work in poor conditions. We assessed silica-related diseases among crystal craftsmen and the complexity of its control.

Methods: Case-series including 118 subjects evaluated from 2006 to 2015, based on medical interviews, chest X-rays, spirometry, and respirable silica samples.

Influence of Cytokines and Soluble Receptors in the Quality of Life and Functional Capacity of Workers Exposed to Silica.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the plasma levels of inflammatory mediators in subjects exposed to silica, with and without silicosis compared with unexposed control group; and to check the association between inflammatory mediators with pulmonary function, quality of life, functional capacity, and dyspnea grade.

Methods: Inflammatory mediators were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. There were 30 subjects exposed to silica and 24 control group.

Association between inflammatory biomarkers in plasma, radiological severity, and duration of exposure in patients with silicosis.

Objective: To evaluate the plasma levels of CCL2, CCL3, CCL11, CCL24, tumor necrosis factor alpha, sTNFR1, and sTNFR2 in subjects exposed to silica (SES) with and without silicosis compared with unexposed reference control group, and their associations with the radiological severity and duration of exposure to silica.

Methods: Fifty-seven SES; 36 with silicosis and 22 subjects in control group, were included in the study.

Results: CCL3, CCL24, sTNFR1, and sTNFR2 were increased in SES and in SES with silicosis than in controls.

Influence of aerobic training on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters in ederly hypertensive women.

Background: Treatment of hypertension includes pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. Among the nonpharmacological interventions emphasizes the practice of regular physical exercise. However, the effects of aerobic exercise training on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters in elderly hypertensive women are still controversial.