Publications by authors named "Szekanecz Zoltan"

It has long been known that the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is essentially involved in genetic susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The HLA-B27 antigen has been accounted for 20 to 50% of the total genetic risk for this disease. However, susceptibility to AS cannot be fully explained by associations with the MHC.

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In rheumatoid arthritis, chemokines mediate the migration of inflammatory leukocytes into the synovium. Among the four known chemokine families, CXC, CC chemokines and fractalkine seem to be of outstanding importance in this process. Angiogenesis, the formation of new vessels, is also important during the perpetuation of inflammation underlying rheumatoid arthritis.

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Anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPA) have recently emerged as sensitive and specific serological markers of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), providing superior alternative of the rheumatoid factor (RF) test in the laboratory diagnostics of RA. Citrullination is a post-translational modification of arginine by deimination, physiologically occurring during apoptosis, inflammation or keratinization. The presence of several citrullinated proteins has been demonstrated in the RA synovium.

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Increased cardiovascular mortality has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There have been reports indicating that tumor necrosis factor blockers may exert favorable but transient effects on lipid profile, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, and common carotid intima-media thickness (ccIMT) in RA. In this study, we assessed the effects of rituximab on FMD, ccIMT, and lipid profile.

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Objectives: To review our current knowledge of the etiopathogenesis of otosclerotic bone remodeling including genetics, viral infection, autoimmunity and inflammation and to discuss disease pathogenesis with relevance for pharmacotherapy.

Systematic Review Methodology: Relevant publications on the etiopathogenesis, molecular biology, genetics and histopathology of otosclerosis from 1984 to 2009 were analyzed.

Results And Conclusions: Otosclerosis is a bone remodeling disorder of the human otic capsule, however, the etiopathogenesis remains unclear.

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Patients with autoimmune diseases may have increased vascular risk leading to higher mortality rates. Novel imaging techniques are necessary for the early assessment and management of these patients. In this study, we compared augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV), indicators of arterial stiffness, to brachial arterial flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (ccIMT), standard indicators of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, respectively.

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Angiogenesis, the development of new capillaries, is involved in leukocyte ingress into the synovium during the development and progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Several soluble and cell surface-bound mediators including growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, proteolytic matrix-degrading enzymes, cell adhesion molecules and others may promote synovial neovascularization. On the other hand, endogenous angiostatic factors, such as angiostatin, endostatin, interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-13, interferons and some angiostatic chemokines are also produced within the rheumatoid synovium, however, their effects are insufficient to control synovial angiogenesis and inflammation.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to study the association between plasma Hcy, C677T polymorphism of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), and the clinical manifestations in SSc. Associations of Hcy level, C677T MTHFR polymorphism, and macrovascular diseases were investigated in 152 patients with SSc and 58 controls. No significant differences in Hcy levels and MTHFR genotypes were found in SSc patients compared to controls or in SSc patients with limited cutaneous compared to diffuse disease.

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Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease which involves the skin, as well as several internal organs. Most therapies available in this disease are symptomatic. Authors present a case of diffuse SSc with progressive disease not responding to currently available treatments.

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The C1858T allele of the PTPN22 gene has been reported to confer risk for RA; but in some reports, the effect was restricted to RF- and/or anti-CCP-seropositive patients. Hungarian RA patients and matched controls were genotyped. The 1858T allele showed an increased prevalence in RA patients compared to controls.

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Objective: To determine the role of inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), we investigated peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and their intracellular cytokine production.

Methods: The percentages of T and B lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, activated T lymphocytes, CD4+ T helper (Th), and CD8+ T cytotoxic (Tc) cells were determined by flow cytometry in 42 patients with AS compared to 52 healthy controls. In order to assess circulating Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 subsets, we used a whole-blood cytometric assay based on the intracellular interferon-gamma, interleukin 4 (IL-4), and IL-10 expression of the cells.

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Angiogenesis, the development of new capillaries, is a crucial process in health and disease. The perpetuation of neovascularization in rheumatoid arthritis is highly involved in leukocyte extravasation into the synovium and pannus formation. Numerous soluble and cell surface-bound angiogenic mediators, including growth factors, cytokines, proteases, matrix macromolecules, cell adhesion receptors, chemokines and chemokine receptors, have been implicated in the process of neovascularization.

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The vasculature plays a crucial role in inflammation, angiogenesis, and atherosclerosis associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, hence the term 'vascular rheumatology'. The endothelium lining the blood vessels becomes activated during the inflammatory process, resulting in the production of several mediators, the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules, and increased vascular permeability (leakage). All of this enables the extravasation of inflammatory cells into the interstitial matrix.

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Background: Some tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are expressed on inflammatory cells. We previously detected increased production of CA15-3, CA19-9 and CA125 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The production of some TAAs may also be increased in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other connective tissue diseases.

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Background: There is a need for highly sensitive and specific laboratory tests for the early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Anticitrullinated protein/peptide antibodies are produced in the sera of RA patients.

Objective: To assess and discuss the diagnostic value of Orgentec antimutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) ELISA and to compare this diagnostic to commercially available anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) tests.

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Unlabelled: High dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell support is a promising therapeutical approach in the treatment of severe refractory multisystem autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to perform the authors' first experiences in this field.

Results: Between August 2006 and November 2007 autologous stem cell transplantation was performed for seven patients: two of them had systemic lupus erythematosus, four of them had rheumatoid arthritis and one of them had systemic sclerosis.

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Background: Balneotherapy is an established treatment modality for musculoskeletal disease, but few studies have examined the efficacy of spa therapy in elderly patients with degenerative spine and joint diseases.

Objectives: To assess the effects of balneotherapy on chronic musculoskeletal pain, functional capacity, and quality of life in elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or with chronic low back pain.

Methods: The 81 patients in the study group underwent a 1 day course of 30 minute daily baths in mineral water.

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Recent results suggest that B cells may have multiple pathogenic roles in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and there may be increased incidence of B cell lymphomas in SSc. Here, we assessed the prevalence of lymphomas in a large SSc cohort. We analyzed data of 218 Hungarian patients undergoing follow-ups in our institutions between 1995 and 2007.

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Objective: Endothelial dysfunction and vasculopathy of the small and large vessels are crucial pathogenic factors in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Accelerated atherosclerosis and impaired flow-mediated vasodilation have been described in SSc. We evaluated arterial stiffness in patients with SSc compared to healthy controls.

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Unlabelled: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive polyarthritis leading to substantial disability. Standardised data on consequences of disease progression are needed for clinical assessments and also for cost-effectiveness models.

Aim: To analyse the impact of disease progression on health status, disease specific quality of life and costs in Hungary.

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Background: The presence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide autoantibody is highly specific for rheumatoid arthritis. Certain HLA-DR4 (HLA-DRB1*04) alleles, also known as the "shared epitope," are associated with increased susceptibility to RA. In addition, these alleles may also have relevance for disease outcome.

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Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) have recently emerged as sensitive and specific serological markers of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), providing superior alternative of the rheumatoid factor (RF) test in the laboratory diagnostics of RA. The first members of this autoantibody family were anti-perinuclear factor (APF) and anti-keratin antibodies (AKA). It became evident that both APF and AKA recognize citrullinated epitopes of filaggrin.

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