MicroRNA Expression Analysis of Centenarians and Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Reveals a Common Expression Pattern.

Micro-RNA (miRNA) are a family of small non-coding ribonucleic acids that inhibits post-transcriptionally the expression of their target messenger RNA (mRNA). We are interested in studying the involvement of miRNA in longevity and autoimmune diseases. In this study we compared the different expression of seven microRNAs between human plasma healthy controls, plasma samples of centenarians and samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Proteomic analysis of human plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations and incompletely understood pathogenesis. This autoimmune disease is characterized by alterations in both the innate and adaptive immune system that lead to the loss of immunologic tolerance. In autoimmune diseases particularly in SLE, early diagnosis, flare or remission phases can be difficult to identify.

Interleukin 1, interleukin 6, interleukin 10, and tumor necrosis factor α in active and quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Several studies have investigated the cytokine profile of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, their role is still controversial, mostly because SLE has a heterogeneous disease manifestation. We measured 4 of the most important cytokines in patients with SLE after dividing them in uniform groups according to disease activity and organ involvement.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-two adult female patients with SLE were divided into 3 groups according to disease activity and organ involvement: Group A (SLE activity index [SLEDAI] score, 7 ± 0.

Hormonal strategies for fertility preservation in patients receiving cyclophosphamide to treat glomerulonephritis: a nonrandomized trial and review of the literature.

Background: Prepubertal patients receiving chemotherapy are relatively resistant to cyclophosphamide-induced germinal cell alterations. We studied the possible protective effect of testosterone and triptorelin to inhibit gonadal activity in men and women receiving cyclophosphamide, respectively.

Study Design: Nonrandomized trial.

Biliopancreatic diversion: long-term effects on gonadal function in severely obese men.

Background: This study investigated hormonal parameters of gonadal function in severely obese men before and 1 year after undergoing biliopancreatic diversion (BPD).

Methods: This observational 1-year postoperative study conducted at medical and surgical clinics at an academic medical center in Italy followed 20 severely obese men age 21 to 63 years, with a mean (+/- standard deviation) body mass index (BMI) of 47.3 +/- 13.