Connecting the Dots: Telomere Shortening and Rheumatic Diseases.

Telomeres, repetitive sequences located at the extremities of chromosomes, play a pivotal role in sustaining chromosomal stability. Telomerase is a complex enzyme that can elongate telomeres by appending telomeric repeats to chromosome ends and acts as a critical factor in telomere dynamics. The gradual shortening of telomeres over time is a hallmark of cellular senescence and cellular death.

Tofacitinib in the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome-associated interstitial lung disease: study protocol for a prospective, randomized, controlled and open-label trial.

Introduction: Tofacitinib, a selective inhibitor of JAK1 and/or JAK3, is considered to alleviate the pulmonary condition of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) through its anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects.

Methods And Analysis: This is a single-center, prospective, randomized, open-label trial. The trial will compare a 52-week course of oral tofacitinib with traditional therapy cyclophosphamide (CYC) combined with azathioprine (AZA) in the treatment of pSS-ILD.

Predicting cardiovascular risk in a Chinese primary Sjögren's syndrome population: development and assessment of a predictive nomogram.

Background: Patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) are at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity as compared with the general population.

Objectives: A retrospective study on 349 Chinese patients with pSS was conducted to identify potential risk factors for cardiovascular events and develop a cardiovascular risk nomogram.

Design: This is a retrospective observational study.

Chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection: A potential junction between primary Sjögren's syndrome and lymphoma.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease that targets exocrine glands, leading to exocrine dysfunction. Due to its propensity to infect epithelial and B cells, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is hypothesized to be related with pSS. Through molecular mimicry, the synthesis of specific antigens, and the release of inflammatory cytokines, EBV contributes to the development of pSS.

Osteoarthritis or arthritis? Toward understanding of primary Sjögren's syndrome patients with arthralgia.

Objective: To identify primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients with arthralgia at risk for osteoarthritis (OA) or arthritis.

Methods: This study included 368 pSS patients admitted to a mono-centric from March 2010 to December 2020. Patients were divided into groups according to whether complicated with OA or arthritis.

Predictors of poor prognosis in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV): a single-center prospective study of inpatients in China.

To identify potential predictors by assessing adverse outcomes in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients. Eighty-nine untreated AAV patients were followed up to January 31, 2022, death, or loss of follow-up. Clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, treatment, and progress were collected, and disease activity was evaluated via Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS).

Potential Mechanisms of White Peony against Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

Background: Multiple system and organ damage occurs with the continuous progression of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), and the lack of specific drugs against this disease is a huge challenge. White peony (WP), a widely used traditional Chinese herb, has been confirmed to have a therapeutic value in pSS. However, the specific mechanisms of WP in the treatment of pSS are unknown.

The efficacy of gabapentin for the treatment of refractory cough associated with interstitial lung disease: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: Gabapentin, a neurotransmitter modulator, is thought to treat refractory cough associated with interstitial lung disease by improving cough hypersensitivity.

Methods/design: This is a single-center, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The trial will investigate the effect of a 10-week course of oral gabapentin 900 mg/day on refractory cough associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and explore the possible mechanisms involved in improving cough symptoms.

Effectiveness and Safety of Iguratimod in Treating Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of iguratimod (IGU) in treating primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) by meta-analysis. Eight databases and two clinical trial websites were searched from conception to August 10, 2020, for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on outcomes of patients with pSS treated with IGU. Revman 5.

Patterns of herbal combination for the treatment of insomnia commonly employed by highly experienced Chinese medicine physicians.

Objective: To explore the most effective herbal combinations commonly used by highly experienced Chinese medicine (CM) physicians for the treatment of insomnia.

Methods: We collected and analyzed data related to insomnia treatment from the clinics of 7 highly experienced CM physicians in Beijing. The sample included 162 patients and 460 consultations in total.