Promising Therapeutic Effects of Embryonic Stem Cells-Origin Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis Models: Immunomodulatory and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) involves persistent inflammation and fibrosis, leading to respiratory failure and even death. Adult tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show potential in ILD therapeutics but obtaining an adequate quantity of cells for drug application is difficult. Daewoong Pharmaceutical's MSCs (DW-MSCs) derived from embryonic stem cells sustain a high proliferative capacity following long-term culture and expansion.

A Case of Palisaded Neutrophilic and Granulomatous Dermatitis Associated with an Initial Presentation in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous dermatitis (PNGD) is an inflammatory dermatosis associated with systemic immune-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, and ulcerative colitis. Histologically, serial development of leukocytoclastic vasculitis is shown from an early stage, which can progress to palisading granuloma in the fully developed stage and to fibrosis in the final stage. A 32-year-old man presented with ankylosing spondylitis showing multiple erythematous papules on his fingers, elbows, knees, and left auricle.

Muscle Exercise Mitigates the Negative Influence of Low Socioeconomic Status on the Lack of Muscle Strength: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Socioeconomic status (SES), which takes into account household income and education level, is an important factor in the role of muscle strength as a discriminator of sarcopenia. Although the benefits of exercise on muscle strength are well recognized, its influence on people of different SES has not been fully elucidated, informing the aim of this study. A total of 6081 subjects, for which we had complete data on measurements of handgrip strength (HGS) and other relevant variables, were included from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) VII-3.

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.

Differences in Clinical and Dietary Characteristics, Serum Adipokine Levels, and Metabolomic Profiles between Early- and Late-Onset Gout.

This study aimed to identify differences in clinical and dietary characteristics, serum adipokine levels, and metabolomic profiles between early- and late-onset gout. Eighty-three men with gout were divided into an early-onset group ( = 38, aged < 40 years) and a late-onset group ( = 45, aged ≥ 40 years). Dietary and clinical information was obtained at baseline.

Therapeutic Effects of Intranasal Tofacitinib on Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps in Mice.

Objectives: The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway play a key role in immune modulation, especially in the polarization of T helper cells. JAK inhibitors reduce inflammation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of STAT. We investigated whether a JAK inhibitor, tofacitinib, can reduce inflammation in a mouse model of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Metabolic and inflammatory links to rotator cuff tear in hand osteoarthritis: A cross sectional study.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and associated factors of rotator cuff tear (RCT) in patients with hand osteoarthritis (HOA).

Methods: Between June 2013 and December 2015, we recruited 1150 participants in rural area of South Korea. Of the 1150 participants, 307 participants with HOA were analyzed.

Clinical characteristics and survival of 413 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in southeastern areas of South Korea: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Aims: To investigate demographic, clinical, laboratory, and immunological characteristics of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in southeastern areas of South Korea, and to perform survival analysis.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 413 patients with SLE diagnosed in 3 tertiary rheumatology centers in South Korea from 1992 to 2016 by reviewing their medical charts. All patients fulfilled the 1997 revised American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for SLE.

Successful Treatment of Catheter Related Blood Stream Infection By with Micafungin: A Case Report.

(formerly ) is halotolerant yeast mainly found in food and ubiquitous in the environment. It was a rare yeast pathogen, but it has recently emerged as a cause of fungemia in immunocompromised patients. Optimal therapy for invasive fungal infection by this pathogen remains unclear.

The association of disease activity, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and neurotrophic factors with depression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Inflammation and trophic factors (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], vascular endothelial growth factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and insulin-like growth factor-1) are associated with depression in the general population. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic representative inflammatory autoimmune disease; however, the association of disease activity, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and neurotrophic factors with depression has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, we determined the prevalence of depression and risk factors for depression and deterioration of depressive symptoms in RA patients.

Tuberculosis presenting as isolated bronchonodal fistula in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: Case report.

Rationale: Lymph node is a preferred site for extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB). In the thorax, mediastinal tuberculous lymph nodes can erode adjacent structures such as heart, aorta, and esophagus, forming fistula, and causing fatal consequences. However, tuberculous bronchonodal fistula as a complication of lymph node TB in adults is rarely known in terms of imaging or clinical findings.

Medication nonadherence in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the importance of belief about medication and illness perception.

Background/aims: To investigate medication nonadherence in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and analyze related factors.

Methods: A total of 292 patients with RA participated in this study. Medication nonadherence, intentional or unintentional, was gauged via self-reported questionnaire.

Suppressive Effects of TSAHC in an Experimental Mouse Model and Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of TSAHC [4'-(p-toluenesulfonylamido)-4-hydroxychalcone] in K/BxN serum transfer arthritis model and fibroblast-like synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA-FLS). In in vivo experiments, TSAHC attenuated the incidence and severity of arthritis in comparison with the vehicle group. Histological findings showed that TSAHC decreased the inflammation, bone erosion, cartilage damage, and osteoclasts activity in the ankle.

Relationship between serum adipokine levels and radiographic progression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A preliminary 2-year longitudinal study.

The immunomodulatory effects of adipokines have been extensively studied in rheumatic diseases, and there is a paucity of information regarding their effects on bone metabolism.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between serum adipokines levels and radiographic progression over 2 years in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).In this preliminary longitudinal study, we prospectively recruited 20 consecutive male patients with AS and 11 gender- and age-matched healthy subjects.

Development of autoimmune hepatitis in a psoriasis patient without immunosuppressive therapy.

We present a case of a 65-year-old man with psoriasis who developed autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) without receiving immunosuppressive therapy with either anti-tumor necrosis factor-α or methotrexate. The AIH had completely resolved at 2 months after prednisolone and azathioprine therapy. This case confirms the need to consider AIH in psoriasis patients who experience new elevations in liver enzymes.

Relationship between decreased lower extremity muscle mass and knee pain severity in both the general population and patients with knee osteoarthritis: Findings from the KNHANES V 1-2.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of and risk factors for knee pain and radiographic knee osteoarthritis (RKOA) and to investigate the relationship between decreased lower extremity muscle mass (DLEM) and knee pain severity.

Methods: Using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 3,278 participants who were ≥50 years old and who underwent dual x-ray absorptiometry, plain knee radiographs and completed a knee pain questionnaire were enrolled. Lower extremity muscle mass (LEM) was defined as the sum of the fat-free soft tissue mass of the legs, and lower extremity muscle mass index (LMI) was calculated as LEM/body weight (%).

Epstein-Barr Virus Associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome after Scrub Typhus Infection.

There have been a small number of cases of scrub typhus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS), most of which were treated successfully using adequate antibiotics. Here, we report a case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated HPS after scrub typhus infection that was not improved using antirickettsial treatment. A 73-year-old male who had been diagnosed with scrub typhus according to an eschar and a positive serology was transferred to our institution because of a persistent fever despite 7-day doxycycline therapy.

Usefulness of plain radiography for assessing hypouricemic treatment response in patients with tophaceous gout.

Aim: To investigate whether plain radiography is useful for assessing the changes in gouty tophi size following hypouricemic therapy.

Methods: Gout was diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Before and after hypouricemic treatment, serum uric acid level was measured, and plain radiography was performed to measure gouty tophi size.

Drug survival and the associated predictors in South Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving tacrolimus.

Background/aims: To investigate the drug survival rate of tacrolimus (TAC) and analyze the potential predictors of this rate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in routine care.

Methods2018-01-16: In this retrospective longitudinal study, we enrolled 102 RA patients treated with TAC from April 2009 to January 2014 at a tertiary center in South Korea. The causes of TAC discontinuation were classified as lack of efficacy (LOE), adverse events (AEs), and others.

The effect of targeted decolonization on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization or infection in a surgical intensive care unit.

Background: The effect of decolonization on the control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) may differ depending on intensive care unit (ICU) settings and the prevalence of antiseptic resistance in MRSA.

Methods: This study was conducted in a 14-bed surgical ICU over a 40-month period. The baseline period featured active surveillance for MRSA and institution of contact precautions.