Albumin to globulin ratio (AGR) in systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with disease activity.

Objective: To investigate the role of albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its relationship with disease activity.

Methods: This retrospective study consecutively selected patients with SLE and healthy controls. Patients were divided into three groups according to the SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K): group 1 (mild disease activity, SLEDAI-2K ≤ 6), group 2 (moderate disease activity, SLEDAI-2K 7-12) and group 3 (severe disease activity, SLEDAI-2K > 12).

Clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with bone erosion in patients with tophi.

Introduction: If a large amount of urate crystals is deposited in a joint cavity for an extended period of time, bone erosion will occur and gradually cause skeletal muscle necrosis and joint deformity. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and factors associated with bone erosion in gout patients with tophi.

Methods: A total of 210 gout patients with tophi were enrolled and divided into a bone erosion group (n = 135) and a non-bone erosion group (n = 75).

LncRNA expression profiling in exosomes derived from synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To identify the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression profiling in exosomes derived from synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and carry out bioinformatics analysis on target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs.

Methods: Exosomes were isolated from synovial fluid via ultracentrifugation. RNAs were extracted from exosomes by using HiPure Liquid RNA/miRNA kits, followed by lncRNA sequencing.

Proteomics profiling of CD4 + T-cell-derived exosomes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Our study profiled the CD4 + T-cell-derived exosomes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using proteomics.

Methods: Proteomic analysis of CD4 + T-cell-derived exosomes was performed by tandem mass tags (TMT) combined with LC-MS/MS. We validated the most significantly upregulated and downregulated proteins using ELISA and WB.

TMT-Based Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of Synovial Fluid-Derived Exosomes in Inflammatory Arthritis.

Objectives: To compare the proteomics of synovial fluid (SF)-derived exosomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), gout, and osteoarthritis (OA) patients.

Methods: Exosomes were separated from SF by the Exoquick kit combined ultracentrifugation method. Tandem mass tags (TMT)-labeled liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology was used to analyze the proteomics of SF-derived exosomes.

The relationship between platelet to albumin ratio and disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis patients.

Objectives: The study aims to investigate the clinical significance of platelet to albumin ratio (PAR), neutrophil to albumin ratio (NAR), and monocyte to albumin ratio (MAR) in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods: Two hundred and ninety-seven axSpA patients and 71 healthy volunteers were recruited. AxSpA patients were divided into inactive group and active group.

The Diagnostic Value of Synovial Fluid Lymphocytes in Gout Patients.

Objective: This study is aimed at investigating the diagnostic value of synovial fluid cell counts in gout patients.

Methods: A total of 185 gout, 64 rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 26 axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and 24 osteoarthritis (OA) patients were included in the study. According to serum uric acid (sUA) levels on attack, gout patients were divided into normal sUA gout patients and high sUA gout patients.

Correlation between C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio and Disease Activity in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Background: The C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin (ALB) ratio (CAR) has emerged as a novel inflammatory biomarker. This study was designed to investigate the role of CAR in the disease activity of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods: A total of 241 patients and 61 healthy controls were retrospectively enrolled in this study.

Serum metabolic profiling analysis of gout patients based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS.

Background: Gout is a common kind of inflammatory arthritis with metabolic disorders. However, the detailed pathogenesis of gout is complex and not fully clear. We investigated the serum metabolic profiling of gout patients by ultra-performance liquid chromatograph quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS).

Role of plasma fibrinogen in assessing disease activity of patients with gout.

Background: Gout is an inflammatory disease characterized by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) in synovial fluid and other tissues. Many studies have shown that the activation of coagulation system had been proposed correlated with systemic inflammation. The concentrations of plasma fibrinogen and D-dimer are increased in abnormal coagulation, emerging as available indicators to predict systemic inflammation.

Proteomic analysis of serum-derived extracellular vesicles in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, whose pathogenesis is still unclear. Many studies show the proteins in extracellular vesicle (EVs) would change regularly in many diseases. The study aims to explore the proteins contents of serum-derived EVs in AS patients.

Interstitial Lung Disease and Psoriasis in a Child With Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome.

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is characterized by progressive neurologic decline, cerebral calcification, and variable manifestations of autoimmunity. Seven subtypes of AGS have been defined and aberrant activation of the type I interferon system is a common theme among these conditions. We describe a 13-year-old boy who presented with an unusual constellation of psoriasis, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and pulmonary hypertension in addition to cerebral calcifications and glomerulonephritis.

The role of fibrinogen to albumin ratio in ankylosing spondylitis: Correlation with disease activity.

Background: This study aimed to assess the role of fibrinogen (Fib) to albumin (ALB) ratio (FAR) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and its association with disease activity.

Methods: 135 AS patients and 76 age - and gender - matched healthy controls were collected in this retrospective study. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) score was used to divide the AS patients into remission group (BASDAI < 4) and active group (BASDAI ≥ 4).

Mycophenolic acid enhanced lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-18 release in THP-1 cells activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Interleukin (IL)-18 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has important functions in host defense. The maturation and secretion of IL-18 has been shown to be regulated by the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active metabolite of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), in association with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is able to promote the secretion of IL-18, but the mechanism remains unknown.

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of ulceration over tophi in patients with gout.

Objectives: To describe clinical characteristics of ulceration over tophi in patients with gout and determine risk factors associated with ulceration.

Methods: Patients presenting with tophi or ulceration(s) over tophi were prospectively recruited and their clinical characteristics were recorded. Comparison of clinical characteristics and risk factors for ulceration were analyzed between groups.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated factors in Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

We assessed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and associated factors in mainland Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A retrospective study was conducted in 117 AS patients and 117 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Parameters of MetS based on the criteria established by the Chinese Diabetes Society in 2013 were tabulated.

Relationship between monocytes to lymphocytes ratio and axial spondyloarthritis.

Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a progressive, chronic, inflammatory skeletal disorder affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints. Many studies have shown that neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, platelets, and red blood cells (RBCs) play important roles in the inflammatory process of axSpA. Neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio (NLR) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) have been reported to be simple and inexpensive markers to indicate the disease activity of axSpA.