Bone status over 1 yr of etanercept treatment in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective: To evaluate bone mineral status over 1 yr of etanercept treatment in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: Twenty children (13 female, 7 male) aged 5.2-11.

Thyroid function, autoimmune thyroiditis and coeliac disease in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objectives: Autoimmune diseases have been associated with some organ non-specific rheumatological disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus; however, few studies have been performed in an extensive cohort of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Our objective was to evaluate the thyroid function and the prevalence of antithyroid antibodies, autoimmune thyroiditis and coeliac disease in children with JIA.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-one children (120 female, 31 male, median age 8.

Assessment of inter- and intra-specific variability in the main species of Boletus edulis complex by ITS analysis.

The Boletus edulis species complex includes ectomycorrhizal fungi producing edible mushrooms appreciated worldwide. However, species delineation is very difficult in these fungi, because it is based exclusively on a few, highly variable morphological features. As a consequence, a high number of taxa--including several varieties, subspecies and/or species sensu stricto--have been described in this species complex.

Circulating leptin levels in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a marker of nutritional status?

Background: Weight loss is common in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and has been positively correlated with an increase in the production of proinflammatory cytokines.

Objective: To assess if plasma leptin is a mediator of cytokine dependent decreased food intake during inflammatory diseases and if it is increased in JIA.

Methods: Leptin levels were determined in 31 patients with polyarticular disease and in 37 with oligoarticular disease; 32 healthy children served as controls.

Lack of association between the HLA-DRB1 locus and post-streptococcal reactive arthritis and acute rheumatic fever in Italian children.

Objective: Post-streptococcal reactive arthritis (PSReA) may be a variant of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), but there still is debate on the relationship between the 2 entities. Possible associations with HLA class II antigens of PSReA (DRB1*01) and ARF (DRB1*16) were described previously in white Americans. To confirm these findings, we studied DRB1 alleles in a group of Italian children with PSReA and ARF.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG)/RANK-L system in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: is there a potential modulating role for OPG/RANK-L in bone injury?

Objective: To evaluate serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kB-ligand (RANK-L) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA); to correlate these values with disease activity variables, radiological bone damage, and bone mass; and to correlate OPG gene polymorphisms with bone mass.

Methods: Eighty-four patients (66 girls and 18 boys) with JIA and 40 sex and age-matched controls were enrolled. Serum OPG and RANK-L were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Neprilysin levels in plasma and synovial fluid of juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients.

Objective: Neprilysin (neutral endopeptidase, 3:4:24:11, CD10) (NEP) is a Zn metallopeptidase linked to controlling inflammation through the degradation of neuropeptides involved in neurogenic inflammation of chronic rheumatic diseases. The aim of our study was to evaluate circulating activity and cellular expression of NEP in the plasma of 58 children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and 52 controls. In 20 subjects requiring local steroid injection, NEP was measured in synovial fluid.

Xerocomus cisalpinus sp. nov., and the delimitation of species in the X. chrysenteron complex based on morphology and rDNA-LSU sequences.

Species delimitation is still controversial in the Xerocomus chrysenteron complex. We have therefore established comprehensible and reliable species concepts based on statistical evaluation of morphological and ecological characters. We examined many collections from different geographical regions and different developmental stages within collections.

Bone status evaluation with calcaneal ultrasound in children with chronic rheumatic diseases. A one year followup study.

Objective: To evaluate at baseline and after one year the bone status in children with chronic rheumatic diseases (CRD) using quantitative ultrasound techniques.

Methods: We evaluated bone status in 67 children, 52 female, 15 male, age range 2.80 to 18.

[Kawasaki disease: clinical characteristics and cardiovascular involvement in a cohort of 121 patients].

Kawasaki disease is an acute generalized self-limiting vasculitis of small and medium size arteries of unknown ethiology, mostly affecting children younger then 5 years of age. Coronary arteries may be involved with aneurysms lesions, thrombotic occlusion, acute coronary syndrome and sudden death. The mortality rate has been significantly reduced by combined therapy of intravenous immunoglobuline (IVIG) and acetil salicylic acid (ASA) from 3% to 0.

Association of low bone mass with vitamin d receptor gene and calcitonin receptor gene polymorphisms in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objective: To compare bone density with polymorphisms in the calcitonin receptor (CTR) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes in 50 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and 80 matched controls.

Methods: Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine. Genomic DNA was isolated from EDTA blood samples by standard procedures.

Kawasaki's disease in northern Italy: a multicenter retrospective study of 250 patients.

Objective: To evaluate (i) the clinical course and outcome in a cohort of 250 children affected with Kawasaki disease (KD) in northern Italy; (ii) the prevalence of coronary aneurysms and their correlation with treatment; and (iii) the prevalence of incomplete and atypical KD in the series as a whole.

Results: The male to female ratio was 1.8 to 1 and the median age at diagnosis 37 months.

Prevalence and clinical significance of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Background: Antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) are considered to be specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective: To assess the clinical significance of anti-CCP in a cohort of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods: Anti-CCP were tested by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum samples from 109 patients with JIA (30 boys, 79 girls), with a mean age of 8.

Serum and synovial fluid concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases 3 and its tissue inhibitor 1 in juvenile idiopathic arthritides.

Objective: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are a large family of proteolytic enzymes involved in the remodeling of extracellular matrix during tissue resorption in idiopathic arthritides. We investigated serum and synovial fluid (SF) concentrations of MMP-3 and its tissue inhibitor (TIMP-1) in juvenile idiopathic arthritides (JIA).

Methods: Sera from 45 patients with active, 15 patients with inactive JIA, and 15 healthy controls were evaluated by ELISA for MMP-3 (stromelysin-1), TIMP-1, and soluble p75 tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR).

Severe abdominal involvement as the initial manifestation of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa in a young girl.

We report a young girl who developed ingravescent intestinal symptoms as the first manifestation of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) while the typical skin nodules developed later during the disease course. Cutaneous PAN predominantly affects children and presents with crops of painful skin nodules in the medial aspect of the foot, often preceded by sore throat. Visceral manifestations including gut involvement are commonly associated with the classical form of PAN while they are rarely reported in the cutaneous form.

Evidence for immune activation against oxidized lipoproteins in inactive phases of juvenile chronic arthritis.

Objective: Oxidative stress contributes to joint inflammation and damage in rheumatoid arthritis. In a mobile inflamed joint, exercise induced multiple cycles of hypoxia-reperfusion injury may lead to the creation of a redox environment in which oxido-reductase systems, by NADPH mechanisms, produce highly reactive chemical species (i.e.