Type-I interferons in atherosclerosis.

The contribution of dyslipidemia and inflammation in atherosclerosis is well established. Along with effective lipid-lowering treatments, the recent success of clinical trials with anti-inflammatory therapies and the accelerated atherosclerosis in many autoimmune diseases suggest that targeting inflammation may open new avenues for the prevention and the treatment for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In the past decades, studies have widened the role of type-I interferons (IFNs) in disease, from antivirus defense to autoimmune responses and immuno-metabolic syndromes.

Association Between Renal Function and Troponin T Over Time in Stable Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

Background People with reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) often have elevated cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels. It remains unclear how cTnT levels develop over time in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to prospectively study the association between cTnT and GFR over time in older advanced-stage CKD patients not on dialysis.

Changing Stress Mindset Through Stressjam: A Virtual Reality Game Using Biofeedback.

A range of recent studies suggest that overall mindset about stress is related to health, performance, and well-being. Therefore, an exploratory study was conducted to examine whether virtual reality (VR) with real-time biofeedback would have potential in training people in an engaging way to develop a new stress-is-enhancing mindset. The specific application to improve people's stress mindset that was used in this study is Stressjam.

Adherence to Treat-to-target Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Factors: Data from the International RA BIODAM Cohort.

Objective: Compelling evidence supports a treat-to-target (T2T) strategy for optimal outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is limited knowledge regarding the factors that impede implementation of T2T, particularly in a setting where adherence to T2T is protocol-specified. We aimed to assess clinical factors that associate with failure to adhere to T2T.

Outcomes and Findings of the International Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) BIODAM Cohort for Validation of Soluble Biomarkers in RA.

Objective: The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Soluble Biomarker Working Group initiated an international, multicenter, prospective study, the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) BIODAM cohort, to generate resources for the clinical validation of candidate biomarkers predictive of radiographic progression. This first report describes the cohort, clinical outcomes, and radiographic findings.

Methods: Patients with RA from 38 sites in 10 countries starting or changing conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and/or starting tumor necrosis factor inhibitors were followed for 2 years.

Andreas Vesalius (1515-1564) on animal cognition.

Until well in the 19th century, the Aristotelian concept of the scala naturae (ladder of nature) was the most common biological theory among Western scientists. It dictated that only humans possessed a rational soul that provided the ability to reason and reflect. Michel Eyquem de Montaigne (1533-1592) was the first philosopher influential enough to lastingly posit that animals are cognitive creatures.

PREVENTION-ACHD: PRospEctiVE study on implaNTable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy and suddeN cardiac death in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease; Rationale and Design.

Background: Many adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients are at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may prevent SCD, but the evidence for primary prevention indications is still unsatisfactory.

Study Design: PREVENTION-ACHD is a prospective study with which we aim to prospectively validate a new risk score model for primary prevention of SCD in ACHD patients, as well as the currently existing guideline recommendations.

Efficacy and safety of alirocumab and evolocumab: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aims: The effect of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering therapy with alirocumab or evolocumab on individual clinical efficacy and safety endpoints remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of alirocumab and evolocumab in patients with dyslipidaemia or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Methods And Results: We performed a review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing treatment with alirocumab or evolocumab vs.

Temporal Trends in the Prevalence of Diabetes Decompensation (Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State) Among Adult Patients Hospitalized with Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide Analysis Stratified by Age, Gender, and Race.

Background Disproportionate change in the burden of diabetes mellitus across various subgroups has been reported in the United States. However, changing landscape of the prevalence and mortality of decompensated diabetes (diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)) remains indistinct across various age, gender, and racial groups of hospitalized diabetics. Methods The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) datasets (2007-2014) were sought to assess the prevalence and temporal trends in decompensated diabetes stratified by age, gender, and race and related in-hospital outcomes among the adult patients hospitalized with diabetes using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes.

Correction: HLA-C*07 in axial spondyloarthritis: data from the German Spondyloarthritis Inception Cohort and the Spondyloarthritis Caught Early cohort.

The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Denis Poddubnyy, which was incorrectly given as Denis Podubbnyy. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.

Individual Treatment Effect Estimation of 2 Doses of Dabigatran on Stroke and Major Bleeding in Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: We aimed to estimate absolute benefit and harm from treatment with dabigatran in individual patients with atrial fibrillation, and to select the optimal dose for each individual.

Methods: We derived and validated a prediction model for ischemic stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation from the 3 treatment arms of the RE-LY trial (Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulation Therapy With Dabigatran Etexilate) (n=11 955 in derivation cohort, n=6158 in validation cohort). Readily available patient characteristics were included in Fine and Gray competing risk models (sex, age, smoking, antiplatelet drugs, previous vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and hemoglobin).

The Interplay of Knowledge Representation with Various Fields of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine.

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) is widespread in many areas, including medicine. However, it is unclear what exactly AI encompasses. This paper aims to provide an improved understanding of medical AI and its constituent fields, and their interplay with knowledge representation (KR).

Chromatin Conformation Links Putative Enhancers in Intracranial Aneurysm-Associated Regions to Potential Candidate Genes.

Background We previously showed that intracranial aneurysm ( IA )-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms are enriched in promoters and putative enhancers identified in the human circle of Willis, on which IA s develop, suggesting a role for promoters and enhancers in IAs . We further investigated the role of putative enhancers in the pathogenesis of IA by identifying their potential target genes and validating their regulatory activity. Methods and Results Using our previously published circle of Willis chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing data, we selected 34 putative enhancers in IA -associated regions from genome-wide association studies.

2018 EULAR recommendations for a core data set to support observational research and clinical care in giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) represents the most common form of primary systemic vasculitis and is frequently associated with comorbidities related to the disease itself or induced by the treatment. Systematically collected data on disease course, treatment and outcomes of GCA remain scarce. The aim of this EULAR Task Force was to identify a core set of items which can easily be collected by experienced clinicians, in order to facilitate collaborative research into the course and outcomes of GCA.

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease: state of the art on clinical practice guidelines.

The term 'undifferentiated connective tissue disease' (UCTD) is generally used to describe clinical entities characterised by clinical and serological manifestations of systemic autoimmune diseases but not fulfilling the criteria for defined connective tissue diseases (CTDs). In this narrative review, we summarise the results of a systematic literature research, which was performed as part of the ERN ReCONNET project, aimed at evaluating existing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) or recommendations. No specific CPG on UCTD were found, potential areas of intervention are absence of a consensus definition of UCTD, need for specific monitoring and therapeutic protocols, stratification of UCTD based on the risk of developing a defined CTD and preventive measure for the future development of a more severe condition.

Archetype Analysis Identifies Distinct Profiles in Renal Transplant Recipients with Transplant Glomerulopathy Associated with Allograft Survival.

Background: Transplant glomerulopathy, a common glomerular lesion observed after kidney transplant that is associated with poor prognosis, is not a specific entity but rather the end stage of overlapping disease pathways. Its heterogeneity has not been precisely characterized to date.

Methods: Our study included consecutive kidney transplant recipients from three centers in France and one in Canada who presented with a diagnosis of transplant glomerulopathy (Banff cg score ≥1 by light microscopy), on the basis of biopsies performed from January of 2004 through December of 2014.

F-Fluoride Positron Emission Tomographic Imaging of Penile Arteries and Erectile Dysfunction.

Background: Fluorine-18 sodium fluoride (NaF), a bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical used to detect osseous metastases, localizes in regions of microcalcification in atherosclerosis.

Objectives: To determine if atherosclerosis of penile arteries plays a role in erectile dysfunction (ED), this study analyzed NaF images in prostate cancer patients.

Methods: NaF positron emission tomography-computed tomography bone scans were evaluated in 437 prostate cancer patients (age 66.

NIK-IKK complex interaction controls NF-κB-dependent inflammatory activation of endothelium in response to LTβR ligation.

NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK; also known as MAP3K14) is a central regulator of non-canonical NF-κB signaling in response to stimulation of TNF receptor superfamily members, such as the lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR), and is implicated in pathological angiogenesis associated with chronic inflammation and cancer. Here, we identify a previously unrecognized role of the LTβR-NIK axis during inflammatory activation of human endothelial cells (ECs). Engagement of LTβR-triggered canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling promoted expression of inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules, and increased immune cell adhesion to ECs.

HLA-C*07 in axial spondyloarthritis: data from the German Spondyloarthritis Inception Cohort and the Spondyloarthritis Caught Early cohort.

We aimed to assess the mRNA expression of MHC class 1-related molecules in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients vs healthy controls (HCs) and, subsequently, if the absence of HLA-C*07 is associated with genetic susceptibility to axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). HLA-C*07 was assessed in (a) an exploratory cohort of 24 AS patients vs 40 HCs, (b) a confirmatory cohort of 113 AS patients and 83 non-radiographic axSpA patients from the GErman SPondyloarthritis Inception Cohort (GESPIC) vs 134,528 German potential stem cell donors, and (c) an early back pain cohort with 94 early axSpA patients vs 216 chronic back pain (CBP) patients from the SPondyloArthritis Caught Early (SPACE) cohort. In the exploratory cohort, 79% of the AS patients were HLA-C*07 negative compared to 35% of the HCs (p < 0.

Coronary vascular function in patients with resistant hypertension and normal myocardial perfusion: a propensity score analysis.

Aims: Impaired myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) may occur earlier than coronary atherosclerosis and it may be an early manifestation of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with resistant hypertension (RH). We evaluated the relationship between RH and MPR in patients with systemic arterial hypertension after balancing for coronary risk factors.

Methods And Results: We studied 360 subjects without overt CAD and normal myocardial perfusion at stress-rest 82Rb positron emission tomography/computed tomography.

IgG4-related diseases: state of the art on clinical practice guidelines.

Immunoglobulin G4-related diseases (IgG4-RD) are a group of chronic relapsing-remitting inflammatory conditions, characterised by tissue infiltration with lymphocytes and IgG4-secreting plasma cells, fibrosis and a usually favourable response to steroids. In this narrative review, we summarise the results of a systematic literature research, which was performed as part of the European Reference Network ReCONNET, aimed at evaluating existing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and recommendations in IgG4-RD. From 167 publications initially obtained from a systematic literature search, only one was identified as a systematic multispecialist, evidence-based, consensus guidance statement on diagnosis and treatment of IgG4-RD, which may be recommended for use as CPG in IgG4-RD.

Why do newly diagnosed breast cancer patients seek a second opinion? - Second opinion seeking and its association with the physician-patient relationship.

Objective: To examine breast cancer patients' reasons to seek a second opinion (SO) and the underlying variables. To find out more about the outcome of the SO, the perceived helpfulness and the effect on the physician-patient relationship.

Methods: In 2017, 4626 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients from 86 hospitals in Germany completed a postoperative mail survey (response rate = 89.

Correction to: Standardisation of synovial biopsy analyses in rheumatic diseases: a consensus of the EULAR Synovitis and OMERACT Synovial Tissue Biopsy Groups.

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported an error in the spelling of the ninth author's name.