Nonadherence to antihypertensive medications is related to pill burden in apparent treatment-resistant hypertensive individuals.

Objective: Nonadherence to medication is present in at least 50% of patients with apparent treatment-resistant hypertension. We examined the factors associated with nonadherence as detected by a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based urine antihypertensive drug assay.

Methods: All urine antihypertensive test results, carried out for uncontrolled hypertension (BP persistently >140/90 mmHg) between January 2015 and December 2016 at a single toxicology laboratory were analysed.

Citrullination facilitates cross-reactivity of rheumatoid factor with non-IgG1 Fc epitopes in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) are the two most prevalent autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and are thought to have distinct autoantigen targets. Whilst RF targets the Fc region of antibodies, ACPAs target a far broader spectrum of citrullinated peptides. Here we demonstrate significant sequence and structural homology between proposed RF target epitopes in IgG1 Fc and the ACPA target fibrinogen.

The role of molecular mimicry and other factors in the association of Human Endogenous Retroviruses and autoimmunity.

Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) have been implicated in autoimmune and other diseases. Molecular mimicry has been postulated as a potential mechanism of autoimmunity. Exogenous viruses have also been reported to be associated with the same diseases, as have genetic and environmental factors.

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with IgG antibodies to human endogenous retrovirus gag matrix: a potential pathogenic mechanism of disease?

Objective: Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-K10 has been implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A secondary immune response to this virus might suggest an antigen-driven response in patients. The Gag region of HERV-K10 could provide a key epitope important for immunological reactivity.

Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) and Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease: Is There a Link?

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases, such as RA and SLE, are caused by genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) may be triggers of autoimmune rheumatic disease. HERVs are fossil viruses that began to be integrated into the human genome some 30-40 million years ago and now make up 8% of the genome.

Identification of the optimal donor quality scoring system and measure of early renal function in kidney transplantation.

Background: The early identification of kidney allografts at risk of later dysfunction has implications for clinical practice. Donor quality scoring systems (preoperative) and measures of early allograft function (first week postoperative) have previously shown practical utility. This study aimed to determine the optimal parameter(s) (preoperative and postoperative) with greatest predictive power for the development of subsequent allograft dysfunction.