Reactivation of latent HIV-1 by the glucocorticoid receptor modulator AZD9567.

One key determinant of HIV-1 latency reversal is the activation of the viral long terminal repeat (LTR) by cellular transcription factors such as NF-κB and AP-1. Interestingly, the activity of these two transcription factors can be modulated by glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). Furthermore, the HIV-1 genome contains multiple binding sites for GRs.

A new twist on superantigen-activated autoimmune disease.

Superantigen-induced (Sag-induced) autoimmunity has been proposed as a mechanism for many human disorders, without a clear understanding of the potential triggers. In this issue of the JCI, McCarthy and colleagues used the SKG mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis to characterize the role of Sag activity in inflammatory arthritis by profiling arthritogenic naive CD4+ T cells. Within the diseased joints, they found a marked enrichment of T cell receptor-variable β (TCR-Vβ) subsets that were reactive to the endogenously encoded mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) Sag.

Proteomic profiling of the large-vessel vasculitis spectrum identifies shared signatures of innate immune activation and stromal remodelling.

Background: Takayasu arteritis (TAK) and giant cell arteritis (GCA), the most common forms of large-vessel vasculitis (LVV), can result in serious morbidity. Understanding the molecular basis of LVV should aid in developing better biomarkers and treatments.

Methods: Plasma proteomic profiling of 184 proteins was performed in two cohorts.

A survey of Scottish Committee for Orthopaedics and Trauma members on lower limb joint replacement practices in morbidly obese patients.

Background: Scotland has one of the highest rates of obesity in the developed world which increases risk of lower limb osteoarthritis resulting in total joint arthroplasty (TJA). This paper aimed to investigate (1) current practice of orthopaedic consultants in Scotland in managing end-stage hip and knee osteoarthritis in obese patients, (2) adherence to National guidelines, and (3) understanding of complication risks in lower limb TJA for BMI≥40.

Methods: A 15-question online survey was sent to all active members of Scottish Committee for Orthopaedics and Trauma (SCOT) between February and March 2023 to understand the current practices for managing obese patients with lower limb arthritis requiring joint replacement surgery.

A comparative analysis of anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty versus reverse shoulder arthroplasty for posterior glenoid wear patterns.

Introduction: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) and anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) are well-known methods of treating glenohumeral arthritis, which often leads to posterior wear of the glenoid. This study compared minimum two-year outcome measures in patients treated with RSA and TSA for Walch B2 and B3 glenoids.

Methods: Thirty-eight shoulders underwent TSA and 40 shoulders underwent RSA by two fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons at a tertiary referral center.

Survivorship of hip after acetabulum fracture fixation - Analysing risk factors associated with early THR.

Introduction: Acetabular fracture fixation principles stated by Letournel and Judet have contributed significantly towards advancement in treatment methodologies. Current day techniques helps to achieve anatomical reduction, still post-traumatic arthritis ensues in some patients. A meta-analysis by Giannoudis et al.

Magnetic resonance imaging of knee arthropathies: A pictorial review.

A wide variety of degenerative, inflammatory and infective arthropathies with overlapping clinical features can involve the knee joint. Due to its excellent soft tissue contrast resolution and multiplanar capability, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a significant role in early and accurate diagnosis of various arthropathies. In this article, we have provided a brief review of MRI features of various arthropathies involving the knee joint.

Increased usage of doxycycline for young children with Lyme disease.

Background: The 2018 Infectious Disease Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics stated that up to 3 weeks or less of doxycycline is safe in children of all ages. Our goal was to examine trends in doxycycline treatment for children with Lyme disease.

Methods: We assembled a prospective cohort of children aged 1 to 21 years with Lyme disease who presented to one of eight participating Pedi Lyme Net centers between 2015 and 2023.

Burden of rheumatic diseases among people with diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) is a prevalent metabolic condition affecting over 500 million people globally and associated with serious comorbidities, including various rheumatologic conditions. Some studies have reported a significant association between rheumatological conditions and DM2. However, the global burden of rheumatological conditions among people with DM2 remains unknown.

Comparative analysis of synovectomy and total knee replacement in knee joint synovial chondromatosis: A case series.

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare disorder characterized by cartilaginous growths within the joint lining, often confused with conditions like pigmented villonodular synovitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Primary treatment typically involves surgical synovectomy to remove the affected tissue and loose bodies. Documented cases are limited globally.

A comparative analysis of the prevalence and predictors of chronic pain in older adults with and without intellectual disability in Australia.

Background: There is little research comparatively assessing prevalence of pain between older people either with or without intellectual disability. This paper explores health and social factors associated with chronic pain in these two groups.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia.

The role of Anti-PAD4, Anti-CarP, and Anti-RA33 antibodies combined with RF and ACPA in predicting abatacept response in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To explore the role of newly emerging autoantibodies (AAbs) - peptidyl-arginine deiminase 4 (aPAD4), carbamylated proteins (aCarP), and anti-RA33 (aRA33) - alongside the traditionally assessed rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), in predicting the response to abatacept (ABT) and its retention rate in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: Data from 121 consecutive ABT-treated RA patients were recorded. The RF and ACPA status were retrospectively assessed by reviewing the patients' clinical records.

Meta-analysis of the efficacy of lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty in the treatment of isolated lateral compartment knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (LUKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the treatment of isolated lateral compartment knee osteoarthritis (LCKO), and to provide guidance and a basis for selecting surgery in clinical practice.

Methods: Inclusion and exclusion criteria for literature were established, appropriate effect indicators were selected, and PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, and CNKI databases were searched using a computer. The Newcastle Ottawa scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the literature.

A ROS-responsive hydrogel encapsulated with matrix metalloproteinase-13 siRNA nanocarriers to attenuate osteoarthritis progression.

RNA interference (RNAi) and oxidative stress inhibition therapeutic strategies have been extensively utilized in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent degenerative joint disease. However, the synergistic effects of these approaches on attenuating OA progression remain largely unexplored. In this study, matrix metalloproteinase-13 siRNA (siMMP-13) was incorporated onto polyethylenimine (PEI)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified FeO nanoparticles, forming a nucleic acid nanocarrier termed si-Fe NPs.

Combination of rapamycin and adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells enhances therapeutic potential for osteoarthritis.

Background: The regenerative potential of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) has been extensively studied in clinical trials in the past decade. However, despite the promising regenerative properties documented in preclinical studies, for instance in osteoarthritis (OA), the therapeutic translation of these results in patients has not been fully conclusive. One factor contributing to this therapeutic barrier could be the presence of senescent cells in OA joints.

Image-based robotic (ROSA knee system) total knee arthroplasty with inverse kinematic alignment compared to conventional total knee arthroplasty : Study protocol and the inverse kinematic alignment in 8-steps using the ROSA Knee system for knee balancing technique explained.

Introduction: In 2020, 368 million people globally were affected by knee osteoarthritis, and prevalence is projected to increase with 74% by 2050. Relatively high rates of dissatisfactory results after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), as reported by approximately 20% of patients, may be caused by sub-optimal knee alignment and balancing. While mechanical alignment has traditionally been the goal, patient-specific alignment strategies are gaining interest.

Temporal changes of tibial eminence after bi-cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty.

Background: Bicruciate-retaining (BCR) prostheses have been introduced to recreate normal knee movements by preserving both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. One of the surgical procedures essential to the success of BCR total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is preservation of the tibial eminence. However, in our clinical experience, we found that a well-preserved tibial eminence changed its shape chronologically after the operation.

Opportunities and limitations of B cell depletion approaches in SLE.

B cell depletion with rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody that selectively targets B cells by binding CD20, has been used off label in severe and resistant systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for over two decades. Several biological mechanisms limit the efficacy of rituximab, including immunological reactions towards the chimeric molecule, increased numbers of residual B cells, including plasmablasts and plasma cells, and a post-treatment surge in B cell-activating factor (BAFF) levels. Consequently, rituximab induces remission in only a proportion of patients, and safety issues limit its use.

VEGFA, MYC, and JUN are abnormally elevated in the synovial tissue of patients with advanced osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA), affecting > 500 million people worldwide, profoundly affects the quality of life and ability to work. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway plays an essential role in OA. To address the lack of studies focused on synovial cells in OA, we evaluated the expression patterns and roles of the MAPK signaling pathway components in OA synovial tissues using bioinformatics.

Serum Biomarkers of Pulmonary Damage and Risk for Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease.

Objective: To investigate baseline and change of pulmonary damage biomarkers (serum Krebs von den Lungen 6 [KL-6], human surfactant protein D [hSP-D], and matrix metalloproteinase 7 [MMP-7]) with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) progression.

Methods: In the Korean Rheumatoid Arthritis Interstitial Lung Disease (KORAIL) cohort, a prospective cohort, we enrolled patients with RA and ILD confirmed by chest computed tomography imaging and followed annually. ILD progression was defined as worsening in physiological and radiological domains of the 2022 American Thoracic Society, European Respiratory Society, Japanese Respiratory Society, and Latin American Thoracic Society guideline for progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF).

Association between patient perception of disease status and different components of the Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) criteria in psoriatic arthritis.

Objective: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the relationship between the criteria met of the Minimal Disease Activity (MDA) score for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and patient-perceived disease status.

Methods: We analysed data from the ReFlaP study (NCT03119805), a cross-sectional international study of adult patients with PsA. Patients self-reported if they felt their PsA was in remission (REM), low disease activity (LDA) or neither.

Clinical expression of radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and its association with HLA-B27 in European and Ibero-American populations.

Objective: To compare the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of Ibero-American patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) to those of European patients, with a particular focus on the influence of HLA-B27.

Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional, and multicentre study of patients who fulfilled the European Spondyloarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) criteria for SpA from the REGISPONSER and RESPONDIA registries. Univariate and multivariate analyses between European and Ibero-American populations stratified by HLA-B27 status were conducted.

Baricitinib dose reduction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis achieving sustained disease control: Final results from the RA-BEYOND study.

Objective: This study examines the impact of dose step-down in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who achieved sustained disease control with baricitinib 4-mg once-daily up to 96-weeks.

Methods: Patients who completed a baricitinib phase 3 study could enter a long-term extension (LTE). In the LTE, patients who received baricitinib 4-mg for ≥15 months and maintained clinical disease activity index (CDAI) low disease activity (LDA) or remission (REM) were blindly randomized to continue 4-mg or taper to 2-mg.