Anti-Double-Stranded DNA Antibodies Recognize DNA Presented on HLA Class II Molecules of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Risk Alleles.

Objective: Specific HLA class II alleles are associated with susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The role of HLA class II molecules in SLE pathogenesis remains unclear, although anti-DNA antibodies are specific to SLE and correlate with disease activity. We previously demonstrated that misfolded proteins bound to HLA class II molecules are specific targets for the autoantibodies produced in autoimmune diseases.

Prognosis and Treatment of Myositis-Associated Severe Interstitial Lung Disease: A Descriptive Study Using a Nationwide Inpatient Database in Japan.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prognosis, clinical course, and current management of severe interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with myositis in Japan.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study using a nationwide database for inpatient care of acute illness in Japan. Among a total of ~66 million inpatient admissions, we identified patients with severe ILD associated with polymyositis (PM) or dermatomyositis (DM) who required mechanical ventilation and methylprednisolone pulse therapy (≥1 gm/day of methylprednisolone) from July 2010 to March 2018.

Protective Role of Optineurin Against Joint Destruction in Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblasts.

Objective: Optineurin (OPTN) is an autophagy adaptor/receptor that acts as an intrinsic negative regulator of osteoclast differentiation. RANKL expressed by rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) is primarily responsible for the development of bone erosions in patients with RA. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of OPTN in the pathogenesis of joint destruction in RA.

9. Effects of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) on Osteoclasts and Osteoblasts: Analysis Using an Assay System With Fish Scale as a Model of Bone.

Objective: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) provides noninvasive therapeutic treatment to accelerate fracture repair and distraction osteogenesis. However, most studies concerning the influence of LIPUS on bone metabolism have been conducted in vivo systems using osteoblastic cells. Therefore, details of the direct effect of LIPUS on osteoclasts are not yet fully understood.

Biologic-free remission of established rheumatoid arthritis after discontinuation of abatacept: a prospective, multicentre, observational study in Japan.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether biologic-free remission of RA is possible with discontinuation of abatacept.

Methods: Japanese RA patients in 28-joint DAS with CRP (DAS28-CRP) remission (<2.3) after >2 years of abatacept treatment in a phase II study and its long-term extension entered this 52 week, multicentre, non-blinded, prospective, observational study.

Th1 and Th17 immune responses to viable Propionibacterium acnes in patients with sarcoidosis.

Background: Propionibacterium acnes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis have emerged as probable candidates responsible for sarcoidosis. This study was conducted to investigate the Th1/Th17 responses elicited by these pathogens in sarcoidosis and to clarify the causative role of these pathogens.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from patients with sarcoidosis and from healthy volunteers were, respectively, co-cultured with viable P.

Osteopontin deficiency impairs wear debris-induced osteolysis via regulation of cytokine secretion from murine macrophages.

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying particle-induced osteolysis, we focused on osteopontin (OPN), a cytokine and cell-attachment protein that is associated with macrophage chemoattractant and osteoclast activation.

Methods: We compared OPN protein levels in human periprosthetic osteolysis tissues with those in osteoarthritis (OA) synovial tissues. To investigate the functions of OPN during particle-induced osteolysis in vivo, titanium particles were implanted onto the calvaria of OPN-deficient mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates.

Characteristics of bundle branch reentrant ventricular tachycardia with a right bundle branch block configuration: feasibility of atrial pacing.

Aims: We assessed the inducibility of bundle branch reentrant ventricular tachycardia (BBR-VT) with a right bundle branch block (RBBB) configuration in patients with BBR-VT.

Methods And Results: Eight consecutive patients (5 men, 45+/-18 years old) with inducible BBR-VT were included. We evaluated the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics in these patients to explore the inducible factors of BBR-VT with an RBBB configuration.

Basophils play a pivotal role in immunoglobulin-G-mediated but not immunoglobulin-E-mediated systemic anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is an acute, severe, and potentially fatal systemic allergic reaction. Immunoglobulin E (IgE), mast cells, and histamine have long been associated with anaphylaxis, but an alternative pathway mediated by IgG has been suggested to be more important in the elicitation of anaphylaxis. Here, we showed that basophils, the least common blood cells, were dispensable for IgE-mediated anaphylaxis but played a critical role in IgG-mediated, passive and active systemic anaphylaxis in mice.

Examination of the microcirculation damage in smokers versus nonsmokers with vasospastic angina pectoris.

Endothelial dysfunction is considered one of the mechanisms underlying vasospastic angina pectoris (VSA). It is also known that smokers have abnormalities in endothelial dysfunction. Although smoking is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, microvascular abnormalities have not been well shown.

A vibratory stimulation-based inhibition system for nocturnal bruxism: a clinical report.

For the single subject tested to date, the bruxism-contingent vibratory-feedback system for occlusal appliances effectively inhibited bruxism without inducing substantial sleep disturbance. Whether the reduction in bruxism would continue if the device no longer provided feedback and whether the force levels applied are optimal to induce suppression remain to be determined.