Global Perspective on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Rheumatology and Health Equity.

Although the public health emergency associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, challenges remain, especially for individuals with rheumatic diseases. We aimed to assess the historical and ongoing effects of COVID-19 on individuals with rheumatic diseases and rheumatology practices globally, with specific attention to vulnerable communities and lessons learned. We reviewed literature from several countries and regions, including Africa, Australia and New Zealand, China, Europe, Latin America, and the US.

SERPINA1 and plasminogen as novel biomarkers in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome patients.

Objectives: To explore the potential biomarkers and mechanisms in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (OAPS) patients by placental proteomics.

Methods: Among 212 follow-up pregnancy patients based on the Chinese Rheumatism Data Center database (CRDC), we continuously recruited 30 pregnancy patients at the late stage of pregnancy for proteomics study. Fresh placental tissues were collected and 4D label-free technologies were used to analyse the placental proteome in patients.

Proteomics Landscape Mapping of Organ-Resolved Behçet's Disease Using In-Depth Plasma Proteomics for Identifying Hyaluronic Binding Protein 2 Expression Associated With Vascular Involvement.

Objective: This study was undertaken to elucidate the pathogenesis and heterogeneity of Behçet's disease (BD) involving different organs using in-depth proteomics to identify the biomarkers for clinical assessment and treatment of patients with BD.

Methods: We measured the expression levels of proteins in plasma samples from 98 patients with BD and from 31 healthy controls using our in-depth proteomics platform with a data-independent acquisition mass spectrometer and antibody microarray. We performed bioinformatics analyses of the biologic processes and signaling pathways that were changed in the BD group and constructed a proteomics landscape of organ-resolved BD pathogenesis.

Synovial Oxygenation at Photoacoustic Imaging to Assess Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity.

Background Synovial hypoxia is a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Photoacoustic (PA) imaging, based on the use of laser-generated US, can detect the oxygenation status of tissue in individuals with RA. However, large studies are lacking, with few investigating the correlation between oxygenation status and disease activity.

Predicting the Risk of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Chinese Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment and Research Group Cohort Study.

Objective: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, there is no algorithm to identify those at high risk. This study was undertaken to develop a prediction model for PAH in patients with lupus that provides individualized risk estimates.

Ultra-microangiography in evaluating the disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis and enhancing the efficacy of ultrasonography: A preliminary study.

Objective: Ultra-microangiography (UMA) is a novel Doppler technique that has high sensitivity for low-velocity blood flows. In this study, a distinctive imaging feature, penetrating blood vessels on the surface of eroded bones within the inflamed joints, was observed on UMA. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of UMA in assessing disease activity and identify the clinical value of the UMA feature for evaluating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Targeted Literature Review of the Epidemiology, Current Treatment, and Disease Burden in the Asia Pacific Region.

Objective: To understand the epidemiology, current treatment, and disease burden of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

Methods: A targeted literature review of published evidence on SLE in the APAC region was conducted, using the Medline database (2008-2018), conference proceedings, and other supplementary sources.

Results: The current review identified 70 studies conducted in China (n = 15), Japan (n = 13), Taiwan (n = 12), Korea (n = 9), Australia (n = 7), Hong Kong (n = 6), Singapore (n = 4), and multiple places within the APAC region (n = 4).

Identification of 6 dermatomyositis subgroups using principal component analysis-based cluster analysis.

Objective: Dermatomyositis (DM) is a heterogeneous disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. The aim of the present study was to identify the clinical subtypes of DM by applying cluster analysis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 720 DM patients and selected 21 variables for analysis, including clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and comorbidities.

Macrophage activation syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus: a multicenter, case-control study in China.

The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics, precipitating factors, treatment, and outcome of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) complicating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A multicenter case-control study was performed across six tertiary hospitals from 1997 to 2014. A total of 32 patients with SLE-associated MAS were enrolled.

Serum A08 C1q antibodies are associated with disease activity and prognosis in Chinese patients with lupus nephritis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by overproduction of numerous autoantibodies. Many studies have sought to identify such biomarkers to distinguish patients with active lupus nephritis from SLE patients without renal involvement. Because antibodies to complement C1q appear to be prevalent in patients with active lupus nephritis, we analyzed the frequency of antigenic epitopes of C1q and their clinical significance in a large multicenter study of Chinese patients.

The synaptic recruitment of lipid rafts is dependent on CD19-PI3K module and cytoskeleton remodeling molecules.

Sphingolipid- and cholesterol-rich lipid raft microdomains are important in the initiation of BCR signaling. Although it is known that lipid rafts promote the coclustering of BCR and Lyn kinase microclusters within the B cell IS, the molecular mechanism of the recruitment of lipid rafts into the B cell IS is not understood completely. Here, we report that the synaptic recruitment of lipid rafts is dependent on the cytoskeleton-remodeling proteins, RhoA and Vav.

Protein-losing enteropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: 12 years experience from a Chinese academic center.

Objective: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a complication in some systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients that is often misdiagnosed. With this study, we provide insight into clinical characteristics, laboratory characteristics, diagnostic tests, risk factors, treatment, and prognosis of the disease.

Methods: A retrospective, case-control study was performed in 44 patients with SLE-related PLE (PLE group) and 88 patients with active SLE (control group) admitted to our care from January 2000-January 2012.