Age-related low skeletal muscle mass correlates with joint space narrowing in knee osteoarthritis in a South Korean population: a cross-sectional, case-control study.

Backgruound: This study was conducted to analyze the effects of low skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and obesity on aging-related osteoarthritis (OA) in the Korean population.

Methods: A total of 16,601 participants who underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and 3,976 subjects with knee X-rays according to the modified Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) system were enrolled. Knees of ≥KL grade 2 were classified as radiologic OA.

Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease presenting progressive reticular honeycomb infiltration of lung and immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin G4 dominant hypergammaglobulinemia: a case report.

Multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) is an uncommon systemic lymphoproliferative disorder that may cause multiple organ damage. Castleman disease-associated diffuse parenchymal lung disease (DPLD) has not been well studied. A 32-year-old man was referred to our hospital for progressive generalized weakness, light-headedness, and dyspnea on exertion for more than one year.

Sulfatase 1 and sulfatase 2 as novel regulators of macrophage antigen presentation and phagocytosis.

Backgruound: Sulfation of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) is critical for the binding and signaling of ligands that mediate inflammation. Extracellular 6-O-endosulfatases regulate posttranslational sulfation levels and patterns of HSPGs. In this study, extracellular 6-O-endosulfatases, sulfatase (Sulf)-1 and Sulf-2, were evaluated for their expression and function in inflammatory cells and tissues.

Clinical impact of blood pressure variability in patients with COVID-19 and hypertension.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV) and clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and hypertension.

Methods: A total of 136 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were enrolled in this study. Patients were grouped according to the presence of hypertension and BPV.

An analysis of age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and its significance on osteoarthritis in a Korean population.

Background/aims: This study was conducted in order to analyze the effects of sarcopenia on age-related osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in a Korean population.

Methods: All the Korean subjects who visited the Yeungnam University Medical Center Health Promotion Center between 2008 and 2012 in order to undergo a routine medical examination were enrolled. A total of 5,723 young, healthy people (2,959 males, 2,764 females) enrolled as normal subjects and 23,473 subjects (13,006 males and 10,467 females) were included for evaluation of the effects of sarcopenia on OA.

Effects of Methotrexate on Carotid Intima-media Thickness in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and antirheumatic drugs on atherosclerosis by comparing carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as an indicator for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study included 44 female RA patients who met the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria and age-matched 22 healthy females. CIMT was measured on both carotid arteries using a B-mode ultrasound scan.

Age-related NADPH Oxidase (arNOX) Activity Correlated with Cartilage Degradation and Bony Changes in Age-related Osteoarthritis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the age-related NADPH oxidase (arNOX) activity in patients with age-related knee osteoarthritis (OA). Serum and cartilage arNOX activities were determined using an oxidized ferricytochrome C reduction assay. Full-thickness knee joint cartilages obtained through total knee replacement surgery were graded according to the Outerbridge (OB) classification.

(18F)Fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose uptake of knee joints in the aspect of age-related osteoarthritis: a case-control study.

Background: This study investigated (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) uptake at knee joints for determination of metabolic alteration in association with the advance of age and joint degeneration such as osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: A total of 166 knees from 83 healthy persons who presented for routine health examination and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) were enrolled in this study. History of knee OA and joint symptoms and signs were reviewed.

Effects of hypoxia/ischemia on catabolic mediators of cartilage in a human chondrocyte, SW1353.

Cells from a human chondrocyte cell line were studied in 1% oxygen and/or a lower glucose concentration (5.5 mM), compared to the routine culture conditions of normoxia and high glucose. HIF-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, COX-2, TNFα, LIF, MMP-3, MMP-13, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated, respectively.

A case of minimal change disease treated successfully with mycophenolate mofetil in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The World Health Organization classifies lupus nephritis as class I to V or VI. However, a few cases of minimal change glomerulopathy have been reported in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Mycophenolate mofetil has been shown to be effective for treatment of minimal change disease and lupus nephritis.

Three cases of fever of unknown origin (FUO) with acute multifocal non-bacterial osteitis (NBO) as reactive osteomyelitis.

Evaluation for fever of unknown origin (FUO) requires a long list of studies. Recently, the validity of PET scan in FUO evaluation has been approved for screening and qualification. Non-bacterial osteitis (NBO) refers to non-bacterial and non-specific inflammation of bone, which is usually chronic, and involves multiple bony sites.

Glucosamine-6-sulfamate analogues of heparan sulfate as inhibitors of endosulfatases.

[Image: see text] The extracellular endosulfatases, which modulate signalling pathways by removing sulfate groups from heparan, can be inhibited by replacing the 6-sulfate destined for cleavage with an inhibitory sulfamate motif, as demonstrated by simple glucosamine-6-sulfamate analogs of heparan sulfate.

Renal cell carcinoma presenting as Henoch-Schönlein purpura with leukocytoclastic vasculitis, hematuria, proteinuria and abdominal pain.

Some infectious, rheumatic, allergic diseases, and malignancies have been associated with leucocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV). LCV and cancer occur most frequently in patients with hematological malignancies such as lymphomas and leukemias. There have been a few prior cases reported of LCV associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome-like syndrome presented as lupus-like syndrome with mycobacterial joint infection evolved into the lymphoma.

The autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) and ALPS-like syndrome are variable clinical conditions characterized by lymphoproliferative disease, autoimmune cytopenias and susceptibility to malignancy. A 59-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for intractable generalized pain and stiffness with multiple swollen joints for 2 weeks. A low-grade fever, intermittent hypotension and confusion were associated with the pain.

A case of adult onset Still's disease with systemic inflammatory response syndrome complicated by fatal status epilepticus.

Prolonged spiking fever, an evanescent salmon-colored rash, arthralgia or arthritis, leukocytosis and organ dysfunction are characteristic of adult onset Still's disease (AOSD). A 25-year-old woman with fever lasting over 3 weeks presented to our clinic. The patient had a spiking fever, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, a fine pink-colored skin rash, arthralgia, myalgia with a high ESR, ferritin and elevated hepatic enzymes.

A 2-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, add-on study of the effects of titration on tolerability of tramadol/acetaminophen combination tablet in Korean adults with knee osteoarthritis pain.

Background: Combined tramadol/acetaminophen is used to treat pain related to osteoarthritis. However, adverse events (AEs) leading to discontinuation can occur. Dose titration may decrease the risk for AEs.