Plasma Microbial Cell-Free DNA Sequencing for Diagnosis of Pediatric Lyme Disease.

We conducted an exploratory study of plasma microbial cell-free DNA sequencing for the diagnosis of Lyme disease among pediatric patients. Low levels of Borrelia burgdorferi microbial cell-free DNA (<3-5 molecules per microliter) were observed in 6/9 serologically confirmed participants, including 4/5 with arthritis and 2/3 with multiple erythema migrans.

"Motion Capture Suit Sign" for Immunotherapy-Induced Inflammatory Arthritis on 99mTc-MDP Bone Scintigraphy.

We report the 99mTc-MDP bone scan of a 44-year-old man with a history of lung adenocarcinoma and recent multiple joint pain after completing pembrolizumab immunotherapy treatment. This interesting image of symmetric uptakes around bilateral joints throughout the skeleton resembles the ball sensors on a motion capture suit. Hence, we recommend naming this distinctive imaging appearance as the "motion capture suit" sign.

Paucity of viral infection symptoms in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Objectives: Although patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) are thought to be more susceptible to viral infections, it is unclear whether their presentation differs between patients with IMID and healthy controls. This study aimed to investigate the symptom pattern of common viral infections in patients with IMID and compare it with controls without IMIDs.

Design: A cross-sectional study conducted between 1 February and 30 April 2020, using a questionnaire.

Multimorbidity clusters and their associations with health-related quality of life in two UK cohorts.

Background: Identifying clusters of multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), also known as multimorbidity, and their associated burden may facilitate the development of effective and cost-effective targeted healthcare strategies. This study aimed to identify clusters of MLTCs and their associations with long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in two UK population-based cohorts.

Methods: Age-stratified clusters of MLTCs were identified at baseline in UK Biobank (n = 502,363, 54.

Correlation between low testosterone levels and the risk of osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data (2011-2016).

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease that significantly impacts the quality of life, especially among older adults. Testosterone, a critical hormone for musculoskeletal health, has been suggested to influence OA pathogenesis. However, the relationship between low testosterone levels and OA risk remains underexplored in large, representative populations.

Changes in Sleep Quality After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review.

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a surgical procedure to improve the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis. However, postoperative recovery can be difficult due to sleep disturbance, such as poor sleep quality, and postsurgical pain.

Purpose: The aim of this systematic review was to examine recent evidence regarding changes in sleep quality after TKA and to explore factors affecting the postoperative recovery process.

Intraoperatively identified patellofemoral osteoarthritis: no significant impact on short-term outcomes of medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

Background And Objective: The efficacy of medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in patients with intraoperatively identified patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) has been a subject of debate. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the early outcomes of UKA in patients with varying intraoperative PFOA conditions and to explore the relationship between the location of PFOA and the position of the prosthesis post-UKA. Our aim was to determine whether the presence of PFOA affects the short-term success of medial UKA.

Mortality in patients with giant cell arteritis in Spain: results from the ARTESER registry.

Objectives: To compare mortality rates between GCA patients and the general population in Spain, and to identify associated factors influencing mortality.

Methods: ARTESER, a multicenter registry by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, includes GCA patients from June 2013 to March 2019. Demographic, clinical, imaging, histological and mortality data were collected retrospectively.

The association between varus knee deformity and morphological changes in the foot and ankle in patients with end-stage varus knee osteoarthritis.

Background: This study aimed to (1) determine the association between varus knee deformity and ipsilateral foot and ankle morphology, and (2) evaluate the relationship between varus knee deformity and foot and ankle pain in patients with end-stage varus knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods: A total of 213 patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty for end-stage varus KOA were enrolled in this study and divided into a 'severe varus group' (n = 119) and a 'mild varus group' (n = 94) based on preoperative knee varus degree. Morphological parameters and pain incidence in the foot and ankle were compared between the two groups.

Safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cells mitochondria transplantation as a cell-free therapy for osteoarthritis.

Objective: The inflammatory responses from synovial fibroblasts and macrophages and the mitochondrial dysfunction in chondrocytes lead to oxidative stress, disrupt extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis, and accelerate the deterioration process of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA). In recent years, it has been proposed that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) transfer their functional mitochondria to damaged cells in response to cellular stress, becoming one of the mechanisms underpinning their therapeutic effects. Therefore, we hypothesize that a novel cell-free treatment for OA could involve direct mitochondria transplantation, restoring both cellular and mitochondrial homeostasis.

The Microbiology, Management and Outcomes of Native Joint Septic Arthritis of the Hand in Adults of Southeast Queensland.

Native joint septic arthritis (NJSA) of the hand is poorly studied. Management guidelines are extrapolated from large joint infections despite differences in epidemiology, anatomy and aetiology. Limited evidence suggests shorter courses of antibiotics can achieve outcomes comparable to longer courses.

Evaluation of Spin in Clinical Trials of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review.

Background: The regenerative potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) has sparked interest in their use for knee osteoarthritis. Concurrently, there have been investigations on how data in scientific journals are reported and how they may influence readers' interpretations, or "spin bias." These studies are at risk for bias, given the limited number of patients and inconsistent blinding or controls.

Osteoid Osteoma in an Elderly Patient: Diagnostic Challenges.

Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone tumor commonly affecting young individuals, with a rare occurrence in older adults. It typically presents with night pain relieved by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and is characterized radiographically by a small, radiolucent nidus surrounded by reactive sclerosis. We present a 70-year-old female patient with persistent right hip pain, initially diagnosed as arthritis, who underwent total hip arthroplasty.

Medication adherence in rheumatoid arthritis: implications for cardiovascular disease risk and strategies to address in U.S. Veterans.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature mortality. The risk of CVD is closely associated with RA disease activity, and achieving RA remission using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can significantly mitigate this risk. However, despite the availability of highly effective DMARDs, many veterans fail to achieve sustained RA remission.

Early Experience With the Quantum Total Ankle Prosthesis.

The Quantum total ankle prosthesis is a newer Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved fourth-generation 2-component, fixed-bearing implant in its first-generation design. The purpose of this study was to evaluate early outcome data and present our initial experience with the Quantum implant with a minimum of a 1-year follow-up. A retrospective, single-centered chart and radiographic review was performed on all patients who underwent total ankle arthroplasty with the Quantum implant from December 2021 to August 2023.

Avian Reovirus: From Molecular Biology to Pathogenesis and Control.

Avian reoviruses (ARVs) represent a significant economic burden on the poultry industry due to their widespread prevalence and potential pathogenicity. These viruses, capable of infecting a diverse range of avian species, can lead to a variety of clinical manifestations, most notably tenosynovitis/arthritis. While many ARV strains are asymptomatic, pathogenic variants can cause severe inflammation and tissue damage in organs such as the tendons, heart, and liver.

Establishment of a New Real-Time Molecular Assay for the Detection of Babanki Virus in Africa.

Babanki virus is a subtype of the Sindbis virus, a widespread arthropod-borne alphavirus circulating in Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania. Characterized by rashes and arthritis, clinical infections due to Sindbis were mainly reported in Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe. However, its sub-type, Babanki virus, was reported in Northern Europe and Africa, where its epidemiology potential remains poorly understood.

Application of Microsponge Drug Platform to Enhance Methotrexate Administration in Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy.

Background/objectives: This study aimed to develop a novel nanotechnological slow-release drug delivery platform based on hyaluronic acid Microsponge (MSP) for the subcutaneous administration of methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation and damage, while MTX is a common disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), the conventional use of which is limited by adverse effects and the lack of release control.

Methods: MSP were synthesized as freeze-dried powder to increase their stability and allow for a facile reconstitution prior to administration and precise MTX dosing.

The Intra-Articular Delivery of a Low-Dose Adeno-Associated Virus-IL-1 Receptor Antagonist Vector Alleviates the Progress of Arthritis in an Osteoarthritis Rat Model.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a pivotal mediator in the pathological progression of osteoarthritis (OA), playing a central role in disease progression. However, the rapid clearance of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) from the joints may hinder the efficacy of intra-articular IL-1Ra injections in reducing OA-associated pain or cartilage degradation. Sustaining sufficient levels of IL-1Ra within the joints via adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy presents a promising therapeutic strategy for OA.

Bioactive Silk Revolution: Harnessing Curcuminoid Dye and Chitosan for Superior Antimicrobial Defence and UV Shielding.

Background/objectives: The use of natural colourants is gaining attention due to their biocompatibility and functional benefits. This study introduces a different approach using turmeric ( L.) dye extract combined with chitosan to significantly enhance the antibacterial and UV-shielding properties of silk.

Preparation and In Vitro/In Vivo Characterization of Mixed-Micelles-Loaded Dissolving Microneedles for Sustained Release of Indomethacin.

Indomethacin (IDM) is commonly used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. However, long-term oral IDM treatment can harm the gastrointestinal tract. This study presents a design for encapsulating IDM within mixed micelles (MMs)-loaded dissolving microneedles (DMNs) to improve and sustain transdermal drug delivery.

Microplastics Exposure Aggravates Synovitis and Pyroptosis in SLE by Activating NF-κB and NRF2/KEAP1 Signaling.

Microplastics (MPs) represent an emerging pollutant capable of entering the human body through the respiratory and digestive systems, thereby posing significant health risks. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that affects multiple organ systems, often presenting with polyarticular joint manifestations. Despite its relevance, there is currently limited research on the impact of MPs on lupus arthritis.

Heat-Killed subsp. 557 Extracts Protect Chondrocytes from Osteoarthritis Damage by Reducing Inflammation: An In Vitro Study.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition characterized by joint pain and disability, driven by excessive oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine production in chondrocytes, resulting in cell death and cartilage matrix breakdown. Our previous study showed that in monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rats, oral administration of heat-killed subsp. 557 (LDL557) could significantly decrease OA progression.

Kashin-Beck Disease: A Risk Factor for Sarcopenia and Its Interaction with Selenium.

Objectives: We aimed to explore the possible effects of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) on the risk of sarcopenia and its possible interaction in the association between the risk of sarcopenia and element concentration.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals 18-75 years old in Qamdo, a KBD-endemic area. All individuals received physical and radiological examinations before recruitment.