DNA Hypomethylation in the TNF-Alpha Gene Predicts Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification in Patients with Early Inflammatory Symptoms.

Unlabelled: Biomarkers for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and particularly for anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA)-negative patients, remain an important hurdle for the early initiation of treatment. Taking advantage of DNA-methylation patterns specific to early RA, quantitative methylation-specific qPCR (qMSP) offers a robust technology for the development of biomarkers. We developed assays and established their value as RA classification biomarkers.

Serum IL-7 as diagnostic biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis, validation with EULAR 2010 classification criteria.

Objectives: Despite the well-established value of currently used classification criteria for the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) there is a constant demand for novel biomarkers notably in autoantibody-negative patients. Interleukin 7 (IL-7) has been reported as a candidate diagnostic biomarker based on ACR-1987 criteria. However, clinical practice has moved to using the EULAR 2010 classification criteria.

Autophagy inhibition by caffeine increases toxicity of methamphetamine in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line.

Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive CNS stimulant that its long-term use is associated with the loss of neurons in substantia nigra and development of Parkinson's disease later in life. Common form of METH is Ya-Ba tablet, in which, large portion of caffeine is added to the mass to enhance the stimulatory effect. Previous study demonstrated that caffeine potentiates the toxic effect of METH in association with the production of reactive oxygen species and the induction of apoptosis.