Effect of abatacept versus conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs on rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Background/aims: To compare the effects of abatacept and conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) on the progression and development of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD).

Methods: This multi-center retrospective study included RA patients receiving abatacept or csDMARDs who underwent at least two pulmonary function tests and/or chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). We compared the following outcomes between the groups: progression of RA-ILD, development of new ILD in RA patients without ILD at baseline, 28-joint Disease Activity Score with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), and safety.

Microfluidics-based condensation bioaerosol sampler for multipoint airborne virus monitoring.

To facilitate rapid monitoring of airborne viruses, they must be collected with high efficiency and concentrated in a small volume of a liquid sample. In addition, the development of low-cost miniaturized samplers is essential for multipoint monitoring. Thus, in an attempt to fulfill these requirements, this study developed a microfluidic condensation bioaerosol sampler (MCBS).

Fourier Surfaces Reaching Full-Color Diffraction Limits.

Optical Fourier surfaces (OFSs), characterized by sinusoidally profiled diffractive optical elements, can outperform traditional binary-type counterparts by minimizing optical noise through selectively driving diffraction at desired frequencies. While scanning probe lithography (SPL), gray-scale electron beam lithography (EBL), and holographic inscriptions are effective for fabricating OFSs, achieving full-color diffractions at fundamental efficiency limits is challenging. Here, an integrated manufacturing process is presented, validated theoretically and experimentally, for fully transparent OFSs reaching the fundamental limit of diffraction efficiency.

Application of Salivary Alpha-1 Antitrypsin in the Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which joints are gradually destroyed. Early diagnosis and treatment before joint deformation or destruction is important. The detection of novel RA biomarkers in saliva may facilitate early detection of RA before disease onset.

Porous Polyethylene Supports in Reinforcement of Multiblock Hydrocarbon Ionomers for Proton Exchange Membranes.

Hydrocarbon (HC)-based block copolymers have been recognized as promising candidates for proton exchange membranes (PEMs) due to their distinct hydrophilic-hydrophobic separation, which results in improved proton transport compared to that of random copolymers. However, most PEMs derived from HC-based ionomers, including block copolymers, encounter challenges related to durability in electrochemical cells due to their low mechanical and chemical properties. One method for reinforcing HC-based ionomers involves incorporating the ionomers into commercially available low surface tension PTFE porous substrates.

Korean guidelines for the management of gout.

Gout is the most common form of arthritis, with the prevalence increasing worldwide. The present treatment guidelines provide recommendations for the appropriate treatment of acute gout, management during the inter-critical period, and prevention of chronic complications. The guidelines were developed based on evidence-based medicine and draft recommendations finalized after expert consensus.

Korean guidelines for the management of gout.

Gout is the most common form of arthritis, with the prevalence increasing worldwide. The present treatment guidelines provide recommendations for the appropriate treatment of acute gout, management during the inter-critical period, and prevention of chronic complications. The guidelines were developed based on evidence-based medicine and draft recommendations finalized after expert consensus.

Erratum: Correction of Authors' Name Spelling in the Article "COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: Clinical Guidance of the Korean College of Rheumatology".

This corrects the article on p. e95 in vol. 36, PMID: 33783147.

Patient Perspectives and Preferences Regarding Gout and Gout Management: Impact on Adherence.

Background: Patient-centered management is becoming increasingly important in gout, but there are limited studies exploring patients' perspectives and preferences. We aimed to investigate patients' perspectives and preferences regarding gout and gout management, and their impacts on adherence to urate lowering therapy (ULT).

Methods: A paper-based survey was performed in patients with gout seen at the rheumatology outpatient clinics of 16 tertiary hospitals.

Segmented Polyurethanes and Thermoplastic Elastomers from Elemental Sulfur with Enhanced Thermomechanical Properties and Flame Retardancy.

The production of elemental sulfur from petroleum refining has created a technological opportunity to increase the valorization of elemental sulfur by the creation of high-performance sulfur based plastics with improved thermomechanical properties, elasticity and flame retardancy. We report on a synthetic polymerization methodology to prepare the first example of sulfur based segmented multi-block polyurethanes (SPUs) and thermoplastic elastomers that incorporate an appreciable amount of sulfur into the final target material. This approach applied both the inverse vulcanization of S with olefinic alcohols and dynamic covalent polymerizations with dienes to prepare sulfur polyols and terpolyols that were used in polymerizations with aromatic diisocyanates and short chain diols.

Progress in Oral Microbiome Related to Oral and Systemic Diseases: An Update.

The human oral microbiome refers to an ecological community of symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms found in the oral cavity. The oral cavity is an environment that provides various biological niches, such as the teeth, tongue, and oral mucosa. The oral cavity is the gateway between the external environment and the human body, maintaining oral homeostasis, protecting the mouth, and preventing disease.

Quality Indicators for Evaluating the Health Care of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Korean Expert Consensus.

Background: There is increasing interest in the quality of health care and considerable efforts are being made to improve it. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that can result in favorable outcomes when appropriate diagnosis and treatment are provided. However, several studies have shown that RA is often managed inappropriately.

Comparison of the 2017 EULAR/ACR Criteria with Clinicoserologic Criteria for the Classification of Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies in Korean Patients.

Purpose: To investigate correlations between myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSA) or myositis-associated antibodies (MAA) and clinical features, thereby demonstrating the utility of clinicoserologic classification in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) patients.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a multicenter study of 108 adult patients (age ≥18 years) who were diagnosed with IIM by Peter and Bohan criteria or 2004 European Neuromuscular Centre (ENMC) criteria. Clinical data were obtained by medical record review.

The bone bridge significantly affects the decrease in bone mineral density measured with quantitative computed tomography in ankylosing spondylitis.

Introduction And Objective: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has characteristics of spinal bone bridge and fusion. Although BMD reduction in AS may be presumed to be due to spinal inflammation, this study was designed to confirm whether immobilization of the spine due to syndesmophytes is related to BMD reduction, as immobilization itself is a risk factor for BMD reduction.

Methods: Among male patients diagnosed with AS according to the modified New York criteria, those who underwent bone density tests with quantitative computed tomography (QCT) were retrospectively analyzed through a chart review.

Real-world experiences of the diagnosis process in Korean patients with ankylosing spondylitis based on a self-report questionnaire.

Objectives: The diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is often delayed, which affects various clinical outcomes. This study examined the real-world situation of patients with AS during diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: Data were obtained from 26 tertiary care hospitals in Korea using a self-report questionnaire.

COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases: Clinical Guidance of the Korean College of Rheumatology.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused more than 100 million infections and 2 million deaths worldwide. In up to 20% of cases, COVID-19 infection can take a severe, life-threatening course. Therefore, preventive measures such as mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and social distancing are important.

Alcohol-Treated Porous PTFE Substrate for the Penetration of PTFE-Incompatible Hydrocarbon-Based Ionomer Solutions.

For a mechanically tough proton exchange membrane, a composite membrane incorporated with a porous polymer substrate is of great interest to suppress the ionomer swelling and to improve the dimensional stability and mechanical strength of the ionomers. For the composite membranes, good impregnation of substrate-incompatible ionomer solution into the substrate pores still remains one of the challenges to be solved. Here, we demonstrated a facile process (surface treatment with solvents compatible with both substrate and the ionomer solution) for the fabrication of the composite membranes using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a porous substrate and poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) as a hydrocarbon-based (HC) ionomer.

Predicting Imaging Remission in Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Case-control Ultrasound Study.

Background: To elucidate the achievement rates of imaging remission and to examine the characteristics associated with imaging remission status among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have attained clinical remission.

Methods: Ninety-seven patients with RA patients who had attained clinical remission, defined by DAS28-ESR < 2.6 were enrolled.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of CELBESTA® versus CELEBREX® in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a 6-week, multicenter, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, randomized, parallel-group, non-inferiority phase 4 clinical trial.

Objectives: Celecoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor that is commonly used to reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) complications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). CELBESTA® is a generic equivalent to CELEBREX®, a celecoxib preparation. This study compared the efficacy and safety of CELBESTA® and CELEBREX® in patients with RA.

Seasonal Variations and Associated Factors of Gout Attacks: a Prospective Multicenter Study in Korea.

Background: We purposed to evaluate the seasonality and associated factors of the incidence of gout attacks in Korea.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with gout attacks who were treated at nine rheumatology clinics between January 2015 and July 2018 and followed them for 1-year. Demographic data, clinical and laboratory features, and meteorological data including seasonality were collected.

Change of accreditation standards of medical schools by the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation from 2000 to 2019.

It aimed to provide the change of accreditation standards of medical schools in Korea by the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation (KIMEE) from 2000 to 2019. Specifically, the following was explained: the development process, setting principle and direction, items of evaluation, characteristics of the standards, and validity test of 4 cycles. The first cycle of accreditation (2000-2005) was a process to secure the minimum requirement of the educational environment.

Long-term efficacy, safety and immunogenicity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis continuing on an etanercept biosimilar (LBEC0101) or switching from reference etanercept to LBEC0101: an open-label extension of a phase III multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study.

Background: To evaluate the long-term efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of continuing LBEC0101; the etanercept (ETN) biosimilar; or switching from the ETN reference product (RP) to LBEC0101 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: This multicentre, single-arm, open-label extension study enrolled patients who had completed a 52-week randomised, double-blind, parallel phase III trial of LBEC0101 vs ETN-RP. Patients treated with ETN-RP during the randomised controlled trial switched to LBEC0101; those treated with LBEC0101 continued to receive LBEC0101 in this study.