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ID PMID Title PublicationDate abstract
34334005 Identification of key genes in allergic rhinitis by bioinformatics analysis. 2021 Jul OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the potential molecular mechanism of allergic rhinitis (AR) and identify gene signatures by analyzing microarray data using bioinformatics methods. METHODS: The dataset GSE19187 was used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between samples from patients with AR and healthy controls. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were applied for the DEGs. Subsequently, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify hub genes. GSE44037 and GSE43523 datasets were screened to validate critical genes. RESULTS: A total of 156 DEGs were identified. GO analysis verified that the DEGs were enriched in antigen processing and presentation, the immune response, and antigen binding. KEGG analysis demonstrated that the DEGs were enriched in Staphylococcus aureus infection, rheumatoid arthritis, and allograft rejection. PPI network and module analysis predicted seven hub genes, of which six (CD44, HLA-DPA1, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DRB5, MUC5B, and CD274) were identified in the validation dataset. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that hub genes play important roles in the development of AR.
34322454 Cannabis and Autoimmunity: Possible Mechanisms of Action. 2021 Medical cannabis (MC) describes the usually inhaled or ingested use of a cannabis plant or cannabis extract for medicinal purposes. The action of whole cannabis plants is extremely complex because their large number of active compounds not only bind to a plethora of different receptors but also interact with each other both synergistically and otherwise. Renewed interest in the medicinal properties of cannabis has led to increasing research into the practical uses of cannabis derivatives, and it has been found that the endocannabinoid system (particularly CB2 receptor activation) is a possible target for the treatment of inflammatory and the autoimmune diseases related to immune cell activation. However, in vivo findings still lack, creating difficulties in applying translational cannabinoid research to human immune functions. In this review, we summarized the main mechanisms of action of medical cannabis plant especially regarding the immune system and the endocannabinoid system, looking at preliminary clinical data in three most important autoimmune diseases of three different specialities: rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease.
34233864 MCP-1: Function, regulation, and involvement in disease. 2021 Dec MCP-1 (Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), also known as Chemokine (CC-motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), is from family of CC chemokines. It has a vital role in the process of inflammation, where it attracts or enhances the expression of other inflammatory factors/cells. It leads to the advancement of many disorders by this main mechanism of migration and infiltration of inflammatory cells like monocytes/macrophages and other cytokines at the site of inflammation. MCP-1 has been inculpated in the pathogenesis of numerous disease conditions either directly or indirectly like novel corona virus, cancers, neuroinflammatory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases. The elevated MCP-1 level has been observed in COVID-19 patients and proven to be a biomarker associated with the extremity of disease along with IP-10. This review will focus on involvement and role of MCP-1 in various pathological conditions.
34126316 Therapeutic use of specific tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in inflammatory diseases inc 2021 Aug Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused significant devastation globally. Despite the development of several vaccines, with uncertainty around global uptake and vaccine efficacy, the need for effective therapeutic agents remains. Increased levels of cytokines including tumour necrosis factor are significant in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and associated with poor outcomes including ventilator requirement and mortality. Repurposing tumour necrosis factor blocker therapy used in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease seems promising, with early feasibility data showing a reduction in circulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and encouraging the evaluation of such interventions in preventing disease progression and clinical deterioration in patients with COVID-19. Here, we examine the biological activities of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors indicative of their potential in COVID-19 and briefly outline the randomised control trials assessing their benefit-risk profile in COVID-19 therapy.
34096864 Psoriatic Alopecia in a Patient With Crohn Disease: An Uncommon Manifestation of Tumor Nec 2021 Apr Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors are used to treat multiple inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis, among others. This family of medications can cause various side effects, some as common as injection-site reactions and others as rare as the paradoxical induction of psoriasiform skin lesions. Alopecic plaques recently have been described as an uncommon adverse effect of the TNF-α inhibitors adalimumab and infliximab. We present the case of a 12-year-old girl treated with adalimumab for Crohn disease who developed an alopecic crusted plaque on the scalp 6 months after increasing the dose of the medication. Biopsies, special stains, and sterile cultures yielded a diagnosis of psoriatic alopecia secondary to TNF-α inhibitor. A literature review for similar cases found 24 additional patients presenting with similar findings, of which only 6 were part of the pediatric population.
33898117 Vitiligo: The Association With Metabolic Syndrome and the Role of Simvastatin as an Immuno 2021 Mar 22 Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition primarily affecting the skin where there is destruction of melanocytes characterized by pinkish-white patches on the skin. It is associated with other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of disorders including insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity, and is considered a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity. Simvastatin is a potent hypolipidemic drug that also possesses immunomodulating properties and is a common drug used in dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to assess the association between vitiligo and metabolic syndrome and explore the immunomodulating properties of simvastatin for use in vitiligo. We reviewed various articles from PubMed, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar using different keywords and Medical Subject Headings and finalized 33 studies to be used in our review. The articles selected showed a positive association between vitiligo and metabolic syndrome or one of the component diseases of metabolic syndrome. The benefits of using simvastatin were also addressed by few articles attributing to its antioxidant and immunomodulating effect. However, there was no concrete explanation justifying the association between vitiligo and metabolic syndrome due to a limited number of studies and smaller sample size. Large-scale clinical trials should be conducted to evaluate the use of simvastatin as an immunomodulator in vitiligo to prevent possible metabolic complications.
33778120 Differences between Patient and Surgeon Interests in Musculoskeletal Research. 2021 Jan BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in engaging patients in research priorities and project design. This study compared topics patients and surgeons would like to address in upper extremity musculoskeletal research. METHODS: We invited patients on social media-based support groups for specific musculoskeletal illnesses and members of the Science Of Variation Group to indicate the three most important research topics by disease. We also measured agreement that patients should participate in research on a five-point Likert scale. We categorized research priorities into the following categories: treatment, cause and natural history, recovery, diagnostic process, and economic impact. Bivariate analysis was used to detect differences between surgeons and patient responses. Multivariable regression models sought factors associated with agreement whether patients should participate in research. Sixty-two surgeons and 350 patients completed the survey, who had one of the following musculoskeletal illnesses: Dupuytren contracture, adhesive capsulitis, Kienböck disease, complex regional pain syndrome, rotator cuff tendinopathy, carpal- or cubital tunnel syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS: Both patients and surgeons were most interested in research into treatment options. There were few differences in the number of responses per category between surgeons and patients. Patients and surgeons with fewer years of practice agree most with involving patients in research. CONCLUSION: Patients and surgeons prioritize research about treatment. Surgeons were more interested in natural history of disease and surgical techniques, while patients were more interested in alleviation of pain.
33755972 Bowel perforation due to methotrexate therapeutic error: an insidious adverse reaction. 2021 Mar OBJECTIVE: Methotrexate (MTX) is widely used in the treatment of rheumatic and non-rheumatic disorders. Severe adverse effects are often associated with therapeutic errors, such as daily intake rather than weekly intake. Among them, the risk of bowel perforation is extremely rare (0.1%). We describe a case of bowel perforation, occurred following daily intake of MTX. CASE REPORT: A 68-year-old man was prescribed to take MTX 7,5 mg orally once a week, while waiting for switch to abatacept for a recent reactivation of rheumatoid arthritis. After 10 days he started having pharyngodynia, hematochezia and general malaise. At medical examination he presented oral and nasal mucositis; moreover, blood exams showed thrombocytopenia. The anamnesis revealed that he had been taken the prescribed dosage of MTX daily, instead of weekly. Therapy with Lederfolin 1000 mg (mg/m²/die) and urine alkalinization started. After 7 days of hospitalization, there was an abrupt worsening of clinical conditions and an emergency CT scan revealed millimetric gas bubbles indicating bowel perforation. The patient underwent an emergency exploratory laparotomy that resulted in peritoneal toilette and sigma resections. Anatomopathological findings were suggestive of MTX poisoning. CONCLUSIONS: The patient was discharged on the 17th day in good clinical condition.
33644223 Duration of rheumatoid arthritis and the risk of developing interstitial lung disease. 2021 Jan Age of ILD onset is similar in patients with RA-UIP and RA-NSIP but duration of RA before ILD onset differs https://bit.ly/3lgjfDJ.
33422233 Sclerosing Pneumocytoma: A Host for a Typical Carcinoid With Pleural Metastasis-A Wolf in 2021 Jan Sclerosing pneumocytoma (SP) is a rare primary lung tumor. Typical carcinoids (TCs) count for 2% of lung malignancies. A description of a combined neoplasm of SP with a nodal and pleural metastasized TC has, to our knowledge, never been published. A 57-year-old actively smoking woman received a diagnosis of a lesion in the left lower lobe via a screening CT scan for rheumatoid arthritis. A fluorodeoxyglucose-PET scan confirmed a 21 × 26 × 16 mm (standardized uptake maximum value, 3.0), well-circumscribed round lesion with calcification, which was thought to be most probably benign. No mediastinal lymph node enlargement or fluorodeoxyglucose uptake was detected. The results of routine laboratory tests, respiratory function tests, and physical examination were unremarkable. In diagnostic thoracoscopy pleural, diaphragmatic, and pericardial lesions were discovered and biopsied in addition to a wedge resection. After diagnosis of a pleural metastasized TC mixed with SP, radical resection and systemic lymph node dissection were performed. The patient is in remission after 36 months of follow-up.
32999177 Intratendinous Ganglion of the Extensor Pollicis Longus: Case Report and Literature Review 2021 Nov 17 Ganglion cysts are common benign lesions in the hand and wrist. However, intratendinous ganglion cysts are uncommon. We present a case of intratendinous ganglion cyst in the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon of the right hand of a 73-year-old woman. The subcutaneous mass moved in concert with the EPL tendon in her right thumb. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a space-occupying lesion in the EPL tendon. Biochemical and hemato-immunological examinations ruled out diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and other connective tissue diseases. She reported motion pain during thumb extension, for which she desired surgery. An intratendinous cyst was identified intraoperatively within the tendon substance of the EPL, in which a part of the cyst was herniated into a slit in the tendon substance, just distal to the extensor retinaculum, without notable proliferative synovial tissue. The EPL tendon was opened longitudinally, and a cystic lesion was enucleated. Pathological examination showed that the cyst wall consisted of fibrous tissue with degeneration and no epithelial lining. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. Six months after surgery, the patient had no residual pain and no cyst recurrence. The rarity of intratendinous ganglion cysts makes diagnosis and treatment challenging. Because intratendinous ganglion cysts and associated synovitis frequently weaken the structure of affected tendons, prompt diagnosis and surgical excision are necessary.
32767935 Potential of Gold Candidates against Human Colon Cancer. 2021 Development of novel metallodrugs with pharmacological profile plays a significant role in modern medicinal chemistry and drug design. Metal complexes have shown remarkable clinical results in current cancer therapy. Gold complexes have attained attention due to their high antiproliferative potential. Gold-based drugs are used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Gold-containing compounds with selective and specific targets are capable to assuage the symptoms of a range of human diseases. Gold (I) species with labile ligands (such as Cl in TEPAuCl) interact with isolated DNA; therefore, this biomolecule has been considered as a target for gold drugs. Gold (I) has a high affinity towards sulfur and selenium. Due to this, gold (I) drugs readily interact with cysteine or selenocysteine residue of the enzyme to form protein-gold(I) thiolate or protein-gold (I) selenolate complexes that lead to inhibition of the enzyme activity. Au(III) compounds due to their square-planner geometriesthe same as found in cisplatin, represent a good source for the development of anti-tumor agents. This article aims to review the most important applications of gold products in the treatment of human colon cancer and to analyze the complex interplay between gold and the human body.
34876850 A Review of Aceclofenac: Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects on Musculoskeletal Disord 2021 Aceclofenac is an oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Although there are some differences in the authorized indications between countries, aceclofenac is mainly recommended for the treatment of inflammatory and painful processes, such as low back pain (LBP), scapulohumeral periarthritis, extraarticular rheumatism, odontalgia, and osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The analgesic properties and tolerability profile of aceclofenac in musculoskeletal disorders are reviewed, focusing on relevant and recent studies. The efficacy and safety comparison of aceclofenac with other analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents in OA, AS, RA, and LBP is described. Relevant studies were identified following a literature search of PubMed using the terms "aceclofenac" and "clinical trials" published from 1 Jan 1992 to 1 Jan 2020. Aceclofenac is at least as effective as other NSAIDs in reducing pain and/or improving functional capacity in chronic pain conditions (OA, AS, RA, and LBP). It is generally well tolerated and appears to have a more favorable GI profile than other NSAIDs. Thus, current evidence indicates that aceclofenac is a useful option for the management of pain and inflammation across a wide range of painful conditions.
34708047 Interactions Among lncRNA/circRNA, miRNA, and mRNA in Musculoskeletal Degenerative Disease 2021 Musculoskeletal degenerative diseases (MSDDs) are pathological conditions that affect muscle, bone, cartilage, joint and connective tissue, leading to physical and functional impairments in patients, mainly consist of osteoarthritis (OA), intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are novel regulators of gene expression that play an important role in biological regulation, involving in chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis, extracellular matrix degradation and peripheral blood mononuclear cell inflammation. Research on MSDD pathogenesis, especially on RA and AS, is still in its infancy and major knowledge gaps remain to be filled. The effects of lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis on MSDD progression help us to fully understand their contribution to the dynamic cellular processes, provide the potential OA, IDD, RA and AS therapeutic strategies. Further studies are needed to explore the mutual regulatory mechanisms between lncRNA/circRNA regulation and effective therapeutic interventions in the pathology of MSDD.
34665710 Rescuing effect of folates on methotrexate cytotoxicity in human trophoblast cells. 2021 Oct 19 OBJECTIVES: Methotrexate (MTX)is a folate antagonist that is administered in several conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Its use may associate with adverse effects presumably originating from folate deficiency. Although MTX side effects could be decreased by folate supplementation, the current guideline on folate administration is not precisely established, which could result in irreversible damage especially in high-risk groups like women in childbearing-age. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the in vitro rescuing effect of different folates including folic acid (FA), 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF) and folinic acid (5-Formyltetrahydrofolic acid, FTHF) on MTX-treated trophoblast cells. METHODS: HTR-8/SVneo cells were stressed with a minimum effective dose of MTX and simultaneously treated with different concentrations of FA, MTHF or FTHF. The rescuing effect was assessed by MTT viability assay. The evaluation was completed by microscopic monitoring, apoptosis assessment and measuring LINE-1 DNA methylation. RESULTS: The MTT viability assay showed no MTX-rescuing effect of FA, but a significant effect of FTHF or MTHF. Microscopic observations supported the results of the viability assay. Accordingly, apoptosis was reduced in MTHF or FTHF treatments, while FA has no effect on the apoptosis induced by MTX. The LINE-1 methylation was not affected by MTX treatment, and not significantly modified in folate supplemented cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the general acceptance of administering FA to prevent adverse events of MTX therapy, our findings suggest that FA may not be optimal, and indicate FTHF or MTHF as a better choice. This study on trophoblast cells suggests that FTHF may be the optimal folate, particularly for women in childbearing-age.
34660748 Sinomenine in Cardio-Cerebrovascular Diseases: Potential Therapeutic Effects and Pharmacol 2021 Cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, as a major cause of health loss all over the world, contribute to an important part of the global burden of disease. A large number of traditional Chinese medicines have been proved effective both clinically and in pharmacological investigations, with the acceleration of the modernization of Chinese medicine. Sinomenine is the main active constituent of sinomenium acutum and has been generally used in therapies of rheumatoid arthritis and neuralgia. Varieties of pharmacological effects of sinomenine in cardio-cerebrovascular system have been discovered recently, suggesting an inspiring application prospect of sinomenine in cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Sinomenine may retard the progression of atherosclerosis by attenuating endothelial inflammation, regulating immune cells function, and inhibiting the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Sinomenine also alleviates chronic cardiac allograft rejection relying on its anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperplastic activities and suppresses autoimmune myocarditis by immunosuppression. Prevention of myocardial or cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by sinomenine is associated with its modulation of cardiomyocyte death, inflammation, calcium overload, and oxidative stress. The regulatory effects on vasodilation and electrophysiology make sinomenine a promising drug to treat hypertension and arrhythmia. Here, in this review, we will illustrate the pharmacological activities of sinomenine in cardio-cerebrovascular system and elaborate the underlying mechanisms, as well as give an overview of the potential therapeutic roles of sinomenine in cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, trying to provide clues and bases for its clinical usage.
34652405 [Invasive ocular fungal infection by Scedosporium apiospermum in an immunocompromised pati 2021 Aug We report a case of invasive fungal infection with necrotizing conjunctivitis, scleritis and unilateral panuveitis caused by Scedosporium apiospermum in a 78-year-old woman that developed neutropenia by drugs indicated for rheumatoid arthritis. The etiological diagnosis was confirmed by mycological culture of an ocular secretion with the support of MALDI-TOF-TOF analysis and histopathological findings. The treatment involved surgical debridements together with topical solution and systemic therapy with voriconazole and steroids with a favorable evolution after 2 months of treatment. A relapse required a second therapeutic course for an additional 12 months with improvement and eradication of the agent. Fungal conjunctivitis due to S. apiospermum is a rare event associated with immunosuppressed patients. Its treatment involves surgical debridements and prolonged antifungal therapy.
34567557 Acute severe poisoning with disinfectant in senior aged patient-case report and overview o 2021 We present our experiences in the first case of severe suicidal poisoning with 70% ethanol-disinfectant in North Macedonia, in an elderly patient with immunocompromising comorbidities. A 66-year-old unconscious woman was admitted at our clinic, with a history of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate. She was in a coma, without signs of serotonin syndrome, recurrent episodes of cardio-respiratory insufficiency under supportive treatment without invasive ventilation, metabolic acidosis, increased D-dimer 3254 ng/mL. The toxicology screening confirmed low benzodiazepines levels and alcoholaemia of 526 mg/dL (5.26 g/L), due to ingestion of 70% ethanol. Considering the decreased biotransformation in the elderly, immunocompromising comorbidities, reports of fatal outcome in poisoned elderly patients with disinfectants under standard fluids supportive protocol, haemodialysis was initiated, with registered associated hypercoagulability which resulted in complete stabilization after 48 h of admission. Treatment protocols of poisoning with ethanol-based disinfectant in the elderly should consider timely performing haemodialysis at lower alcoholaemia levels than recommended.
34332274 Influences of the IL-6 cytokine family on bone structure and function. 2021 Oct The IL-6 family of cytokines comprises a large group of cytokines that all act via the formation of a signaling complex that includes the glycoprotein 130 (gp130) receptor. Despite this, many of these cytokines have unique roles that regulate the activity of bone forming osteoblasts, bone resorbing osteoclasts, bone-resident osteocytes, and cartilage cells (chondrocytes). These include specific functions in craniofacial development, longitudinal bone growth, and the maintenance of trabecular and cortical bone structure, and have been implicated in musculoskeletal pathologies such as craniosynostosis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and heterotopic ossifications. This review will work systematically through each member of this family and provide an overview and an update on the expression patterns and functions of each of these cytokines in the skeleton, as well as their negative feedback pathways, particularly suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3). The specific cytokines described are interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 11 (IL-11), oncostatin M (OSM), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1 (CLCF1), neuropoietin, humanin and interleukin 27 (IL-27).
34226164 Chronic inflammatory diseases and coronary heart disease: Insights from cardiovascular CT. 2022 Jan Epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated a consistent relationship between increased systemic inflammation and increased risk of cardiovascular events. In chronic inflammatory states, traditional risk factors only partially account for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) but underestimate total cardiovascular risk likely due to the residual risk of inflammation. Computed coronary tomography angiography (CCTA) may aid in risk stratification by noninvasively capturing early CAD, identifying high risk plaque morphology and quantifying plaque at baseline and in response to treatment. In this review, we focus on reviewing studies on subclinical atherosclerosis by CCTA in individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and psoriasis. We start with a brief review on the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis, highlight the utility of using CCTA to delineate vessel wall and plaque characteristics and discuss combining CCTA with laboratory studies and emerging technologies to complement traditional risk stratification in chronic inflammatory states.