Artificial Homeostasis Systems Based on Feedback Reaction Networks: Design Principles and Future Promises.

Feedback-controlled chemical reaction networks (FCRNs) are indispensable for various biological processes, such as cellular mechanisms, patterns, and signaling pathways. Through the intricate interplay of many feedback loops (FLs), FCRNs maintain a stable internal cellular environment. Currently, creating minimalistic synthetic cells is the long-term objective of systems chemistry, which is motivated by such natural integrity.

Prevalence and Trend of Depression in Burn Survivors: A Single Center Cohort Study.

Burn injuries are frequently disastrous catastrophes that can cause significant skin damage and frequently result in hypertrophic scarring. Recovery from burn injury includes 3 domains-medical, functional, and psychiatric. Psychological concerns affect both the quality of life and the disease recovery.

Power doppler ultrasound signal predicts abnormal HDL function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and impaired function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Previous work suggests that HDL may become dysfunctional through oxidative modifications within the RA joint. The current work evaluates an association of synovial power doppler ultrasound signal (PDUS) with HDL function and structure.

An Emotional Bias Modification for Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Co-design Study.

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the common neurodevelopment disorders. Children with ADHD typically have difficulties with emotional regulation. Previous studies have investigated the assessment for underlying emotional biases using the visual probe task.

Optimizing Reliability of Real-Time Sonographic Examination and Scoring of Joint Synovitis in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Musculoskeletal ultrasound real-time image acquisition and scoring are complex, and many factors affect reliability. Static image reliability does not guarantee real-time scoring. This study aimed to identify factors and solutions to improve real-time scoring reliability for the grey scale and power Doppler evaluation of synovitis.

Evaluation of an automated phenotyping algorithm for rheumatoid arthritis.

To better understand the challenges of generally implementing and adapting computational phenotyping approaches, the performance of a Phenotype KnowledgeBase (PheKB) algorithm for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was evaluated on a University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) patient population, focusing on examining its performance on ambiguous cases. The algorithm was evaluated on a cohort of 4,766 patients, along with a chart review of 300 patients by rheumatologists against accepted diagnostic guidelines. The performance revealed low sensitivity towards specific subtypes of positive RA cases, which suggests revisions in features used for phenotyping.

ISP Good Clinical Practice Recommendations for the management of Dentin Hypersensitivity.

Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a rising concern in clinical dentistry that causes pain and discomfort and negatively affects the quality of life of patients. Indian Society of Periodontology conducted a nationwide survey, involving 3000 dentists in December 2020, which revealed significant knowledge gaps regarding DH, viz., under-diagnosis, incorrect differential diagnosis, and treatment strategies/recommendations for the management of DH patients in daily clinical practice.

Impact of Perceived Stress During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients' Disease Activity: An Online Survey.

Introduction/objectives: Psychological stress worsens rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity, and the COVID-19 pandemic has increased stress/anxiety in rheumatic patients. The purpose of this study was to determine if stress during the COVID-19 pandemic specifically impacts RA disease activity as reported by the patient.

Method: This was a cross-sectional COVID-19 RA survey study.

Improved outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis with obesity after a weight loss intervention: randomized trial.

Objective: To examine whether a weight loss intervention programme improves RA disease activity and/or musculoskeletal ultrasound synovitis measures in obese RA patients.

Methods: We conducted a proof-of-concept, 12-week, single-blind, randomized controlled trial of obese RA patients (BMI ≥ 30) with 28-joint DAS (DAS28)  ≥ 3.2 and with evidence of power Doppler synovitis.

Doppler ultrasound impacts response to intravenous tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objective: Within rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with intravenous tocilizumab (IV-TCZ), it is unclear if power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) can predict future clinical response. This study sought to determine if baseline PDUS or its early changes can predict 12-week and 24-week disease activity outcomes, and quantify the need for dose escalation (4 to 8 mg/kg).

Methods: Fifty-four RA patients starting IV-TCZ were evaluated at baseline, 4, 6, 12, 16, and 24 weeks using 34-joint PDUS (US34-PDUS), clinical disease activity index (CDAI), 28-joint disease activity score using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), ACR 20/50/70, health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI), and PDUS 20/50/70, a novel measure.

Limitations of dual-energy CT in the detection of monosodium urate deposition in dense liquid tophi and calcified tophi.

Objective: Dual-energy CT (DECT) detection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition has demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity in patients with established gout. However, limitations have been reported with early disease and with low urate burden. We aimed to study the performance of DECT in the detection and quantification of MSU deposition in solid and liquid tophi.

Ultrasound and multi-biomarker disease activity score for assessing and predicting clinical response to tofacitinib treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) and the multi-biomarker disease activity (MBDA) score are outcome measures that may aid in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. This study evaluated tofacitinib response by MSUS/MBDA scores and assessed whether baseline MSUS/MBDA scores or their early changes predict later clinical response.

Methods: Twenty-five RA patients treated with tofacitinib were assessed at baseline, 2, 6 and 12-weeks.

Contemporary imaging of rheumatoid arthritis: Clinical role of ultrasound and MRI.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) are sensitive imaging modalities used by clinicians to assist in decision-making in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This review will examine the utility of MRI and MSUS in diagnosing RA, predicting RA flares, tapering therapy, assessing remission, and examining difficult periarticular features. We will also outline the strengths and weaknesses of utilizing MRI and MSUS as outcome measures in the management of RA.

Adaptation of American College of Rheumatology Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity and Functional Status Measures for Telehealth Visits.

Objective: To provide guidance on the implementation of recommended American College of Rheumatology (ACR) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity and functional status assessment measures in telehealth settings.

Methods: An expert panel was assembled from the recently convened ACR RA disease activity and functional status measures working groups to summarize strategies for implementation of ACR-recommended RA disease activity (the Clinical Disease Activity Index [CDAI], Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or the C-reactive protein level [DAS28-ESR/CRP], Patient Activity Scale II [PAS-II], Simplified Disease Activity Index [SDAI], and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 [RAPID3]) and functional status (the Health Assessment Questionnaire II [HAQ-II], Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire [MDHAQ], and PROMIS physical function 10-item short form [PROMIS PF-10]) measures in telehealth settings.

Results: Measures composed of patient-reported items (disease activity: PAS-II, RAPID3; functional status: HAQ-II, MDHAQ, PROMIS PF-10) require minimal modification for use in telehealth settings.

Sentinel joint scoring in rheumatoid arthritis: an individualized power Doppler assessment strategy.

Objective: Musculoskeletal ultrasound quantifies the total synovial inflammatory burden in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but is time consuming when scanning numerous joints. This study evaluated a novel patient-centered method for constructing a longitudinal ultrasound score in RA patients.

Methods: Fifty-four RA patients starting intravenous tocilizumab were evaluated with power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) of 34 joints and DAS28-ESR was assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 12, 16, and 24.

Pink Esthetics: A Study on Significant Gingival Parameters.

Aim: The aim of the study was to quantify the specific spatial displacement of gingival zenith (GZ) and determine a representative value for the interdental papilla height as a percentage ratio of clinical crown length (CL), as measured from GZ in the maxillary anterior dentition.

Materials And Methods: A total of 100 subjects and 1,200 interdental papillae were included. Eighty percent of the population presented with the gingival margin of lateral incisor (LI) teeth positioned coronally to the GZ of the ipsilateral canine (C) and central incisor (CI).

Evaluation of salivary biomarkers of periodontitis among smokers and nonsmokers: A novel study.

Background: The analysis of salivary enzymes contributes to the clarification of pathogenesis and improvement in the diagnosis of periodontal disease. The present study aimed to examine the prospective association between smoking and periodontal disease progression and the effects of smoking on the following salivary biomarkers related to periodontitis: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urea (UA), free-hemoglobin (f-Hb), and neopterin.

Materials And Methods: A total of 64 male patients aged 21-60 years were recruited and grouped as Group 1: 16 healthy nonsmokers, who had never smoked.

Ultrasound detects synovitis in replaced and other surgically operated joints in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Background: Joint replacements continue to occur during a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient's lifetime despite significant advances in available treatment options. The purpose of this study was to examine and quantify synovitis in surgically operated joints by ultrasound (US) in RA patients starting a new therapeutic agent.

Methods: RA subjects were enrolled in either tocilizumab or tofacitinib open-label, investigator-initiated trials and were assessed by ultrasound.

Relationship between the nutritional status and antimicrobial protein levels with the periodontal condition in untreated head and neck cancer patients.

Background: Chronic periodontitis might be associated with oral premalignant lesions, tongue cancers, and other oral neoplasms, which is a foremost public health problem throughout the world. The nutritional status of the patient with cancer becomes very important for tolerating the treatment course as most of the newly diagnosed patients with head and neck cancer are malnourished before treatment begins. Antimicrobial proteins are also essential contributors to maintaining the balance between health and disease in this complex environment.

2019 Update of the American College of Rheumatology Recommended Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Measures.

Objective: To provide updated American College of Rheumatology (ACR) recommendations on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity measurements to facilitate a treat-to-target approach in routine clinical care.

Methods: A working group conducted a systematic literature review from the time of the prior ACR recommendations literature search. Properties of disease activity measures were abstracted, and study quality was assessed using the Consensus-Based Standards for the selection of Health Measurement Instruments 4-point scoring method, allowing for overall level of evidence assessment.

Salivary antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde and sialic acid levels among smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis-A clinico-biochemical study.

Background: Pathogenesis of most of the inflammatory process are associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS), derived from various metabolic sources and which may lead to direct or indirect tissue damage due to oxidative stress, resulting in periodontal diseases. Usually antioxidant systems are capable of removing free radicals, thereby preventing tissue damage from free radical. ROS can result in tissue damage, involving lipid peroxidation.

Imaging Techniques: Options for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Treatment of Enthesitis in Psoriatic Arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affects up to 30% of patients with psoriasis and may include musculoskeletal manifestations such as enthesitis. Enthesitis is associated with joint damage, and early detection and treatment are essential to management of the disease. Traditionally assessed by clinical examination and conventional radiography, entheseal inflammation can now be more accurately assessed earlier in the disease using techniques such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and molecular imaging.

The American English version of the validated French Flare Assessment in RA Questionnaire (FLARE-RA).

Objective: To evaluate use of a British English version of the validated French FLARE-RA questionnaire among American English speaking patients. In addition, to create a culturally adapted American English (AmE) FLARE-RA questionnaire and to examine its attributes of patient-reported RA flare status.

Methods: Using standardized cultural adaptation guidelines, we cognitively debriefed 25 American English speaking rheumatoid arthritis (RA) outpatients and created AmE-FLARE-RA with their input.