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Assessment of the frequency of different Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato species in patients with Lyme borreliosis from north-east Poland by studying preferential serologic response and DNA isolates.
CONCLUSIONS: Both methods gave consistent results, indicating B.afzelii as the main agent of all the clinical forms of the Lyme borreliosis in the study area. PMID: 23540208 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine : AAEM)
Source: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine : AAEM - May 22, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Grygorczuk S, Péter O, Kondrusik M, Moniuszko A, Zajkowska J, Dunaj J, Żukiewicz-Sobczak W, Pancewicz S Tags: Ann Agric Environ Med Source Type: research

Enzyme-activating antibodies revealed as marker for most severe form of rheumatoid arthritis
(Johns Hopkins Medicine) In a series of lab experiments designed to unravel the workings of a key enzyme widely considered a possible trigger of rheumatoid arthritis, researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that in the most severe cases of the disease, the immune system makes a unique subset of antibodies that have a disease-promoting role. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)
Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science - May 22, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Sugar Injections for Knee Arthritis May Ease Pain: Study
But at least one expert questions benefits of the alternative treatment (Source: WebMD Health)
Source: WebMD Health - May 21, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Joint Replacement Surgery Could Become A Thing Of The Past With New Theory On Genesis Of Osteoarthritis
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have turned their view of osteoarthritis (OA) inside out. Literally. Instead of seeing the painful degenerative disease as a problem primarily of the cartilage that cushions joints, they now have evidence that the bone underneath the cartilage is also a key player and exacerbates the damage. In a proof-of-concept experiment, they found that blocking the action of a critical bone regulation protein in mice halts progression of the disease... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 21, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Arthritis / Rheumatology Source Type: news

Common Foot Deformities Like Bunions Are Inherited
A novel study reports that white men and women of European descent inherit common foot disorders, such as bunions (hallux valgus) and lesser toe deformities, including hammer or claw toe. Findings from the Framingham Foot Study - the first to estimate the heritability of foot disorders in humans - appear in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal published by Wiley on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Previous studies show that as many as 60% of older adults have foot disorders which may limit mobility and reduce their quality of life... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 21, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Arthritis / Rheumatology Source Type: news

Researchers Able To Prevent And Cure Type 1 Diabetes In Animal Models
Melbourne researchers have identified an immune protein that has the potential to stop or reverse the development of type 1 diabetes in its early stages, before insulin-producing cells have been destroyed. The discovery has wider repercussions, as the protein is responsible for protecting the body against excessive immune responses, and could be used to treat, or even prevent, other immune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 21, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Diabetes Source Type: news

Study shows COPD is associated with significant and persistent pain
(American Thoracic Society) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is primarily associated with the respiratory symptoms that are its hallmark, but in fact, patients who struggle with the disease also experience significant amounts of chronic pain. A new study conducted by researchers in Pennsylvania and New Mexico estimates the degree of pain suffered by these patients to be close to that experienced by patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - May 21, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

No-treatment approach may be best choice for older prostate cancer patients
Older prostate cancer patients with other underlying health conditions should think twice before committing to surgery or radiation therapy for their cancer, according to a multi-center study led by researchers from the UCLA Department of Urology. The study reports 14-year survival outcomes for 3,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1994 and 1995. The results suggest that older patients with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer who have at least three underlying health problems, or comorbidities, are much more likely to die of something other than their cancer. "For men with low-to-intermediate...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - May 20, 2013 Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news

Type 1 Diabetes May Be Reversible With Immune Suppressor Protein
A professor in Melbourne, Australia, who is on a mission to find a cure for type 1 diabetes, believes that the answer, or part of it, lies with an immune suppressor protein called CD52. And if it works for type 1 diabetes, then it may well work for other immune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, where disruption in the balance different kinds of T cell in the immune system causes it to attack the body's own healthy tissue... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 20, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Diabetes Source Type: news

Blame your parents for bunion woes
(Wiley) A novel study reports that white men and women of European descent inherit common foot disorders, such as bunions (hallux valgus) and lesser toe deformities, including hammer or claw toe. Findings from the Framingham Foot Study -- the first to estimate the heritability of foot disorders in humans -- appear in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal published by Wiley on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)
Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science - May 20, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Immune protein could stop diabetes in its tracks
(Walter and Eliza Hall Institute) Melbourne researchers have identified an immune protein that has the potential to stop or reverse the development of type 1 diabetes in its early stages, before insulin-producing cells have been destroyed. The discovery has wider repercussions, as the protein is responsible for protecting the body against excessive immune responses, and could be used to treat, or even prevent, other immune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - May 19, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

MRI Useful For Predicting Failure Of Metal-On-Metal Hip Implants Before Symptoms Appear
Metal-on-metal hip implants can cause inflammation of the joint lining (synovitis) long before symptoms appear, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to identify this inflammation, according to a new study by researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery. The study, which appears in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, demonstrates that MRI can be used to identify implants that are going to fail before people become symptomatic. "The study shows that synovitis exists in asymptomatic people in a fairly high prevalence," said Hollis Potter, M.D... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 17, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Arthritis / Rheumatology Source Type: news

SeMet Inhibits IL-1β-Induced Rheumatoid Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes Proliferation and the Production of Inflammatory Mediators.
In this study, the proliferation of FLSs was assessed using the MTT assay after cultured with/without the presence of IL-1β and SeMet. Human FLSs were pretreated with SeMet (0.5 μM) and subsequently stimulated with IL-1β (5 ng/ml) for 24 h. Production of NO and PGE2 were evaluated by the Griess reaction and ELISA. Gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, iNOS, and COX-2 was measured by real-time PCR. MMP-3 and MMP-13 proteins in culture medium were determined using cytokine-specific ELISA. Western immunoblotting was used to analyze the iNOS and COX-2 protein production in the culture medium and the activity of phosphorylati...
Source: Biological Trace Element Research - May 17, 2013 Category: Biology Authors: Ying X, Chen X, Cheng S, Zhao Z, Guo X, Chen H, Hong J, Peng L, Xu H Tags: Biol Trace Elem Res Source Type: research

Specific peripheral B cell tolerance defects in patients with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a genetically mediated autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. B cells have recently emerged as major contributors to disease pathogenesis, but the mechanisms responsible for the loss of B cell tolerance in patients with MS are largely unknown. In healthy individuals, developing autoreactive B cells are removed from the repertoire at 2 tolerance checkpoints during early B cell development. Both of these central and peripheral B cell tolerance checkpoints are defective in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and type 1 diabetes (T1D). Here, we found that only the peripheral, but not t...
Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation - May 16, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Tuure Kinnunen, Nicolas Chamberlain, Henner Morbach, Tineke Cantaert, Megan Lynch, Paula Preston-Hurlburt, Kevan C. Herold, David A. Hafler, Kevin C. O’Connor, Eric Meffre Source Type: research

Vitamin C Does Not Lower Uric Acid Levels In Gout Patients
Despite previous studies touting its benefit in moderating gout risk, new research reveals that vitamin C, also known ascorbic acid, does not reduce uric acid (urate) levels to a clinically significant degree in patients with established gout. Vitamin C supplementation, alone or in combination with allopurinol, appears to have a weak effect on lowering uric acid levels in gout patients according to the results published in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) journal, Arthritis & Rheumatism... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 16, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Gout Source Type: news

Combo Drug Therapy May Work Best to Strengthen Bones: Study
Title: Combo Drug Therapy May Work Best to Strengthen Bones: StudyCategory: Health NewsCreated: 5/15/2013 2:35:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 5/16/2013 12:00:00 AM (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)
Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General - May 16, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news

Vitamin C does not lower uric acid levels in gout patients
(Wiley) Despite previous studies touting its benefit in moderating gout risk, new research reveals that vitamin C, also known ascorbic acid, does not reduce uric acid (urate) levels to a clinically significant degree in patients with established gout. Vitamin C supplementation, alone or in combination with allopurinol, appears to have a weak effect on lowering uric acid levels in gout patients according to the results published in the American College of Rheumatology journal, Arthritis & Rheumatism. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - May 16, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Cocos nucifera var. typica
Conclusions: The extract exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of the cell migration. The mixture of extract constituents and methicillin could lead to the development of a new combination antibiotic against MRSA infections. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 16, 2013 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Rafaela SilvaDavi e SilvaHumberto FontesCeluta AlvianoPatricia FernandesDaniela Alviano Source Type: research

Judge: Reliance On Employability Analysis, Record Reviews Reasonable
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - An ERISA-governed disability insurer that terminated benefits to a claimant with arthritis acted reasonably, a Tennessee federal judge ruled May 6 (Arlene Cook v. The Hartford, et al., No. 3-12-0749, M.D. Tenn.; 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 64125). (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)
Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News - May 15, 2013 Category: Medical Law Source Type: news

Benefit Denial Was Abuse Of Discretion, Judge Holds
SALT LAKE CITY - An ERISA-governed disability insurer that denied benefits to a claimant with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, back pain and arthritis abused its discretion, a Utah federal judge ruled April 24 (Cheryl E. Krum v. Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Co., No. 2:11-932, D. Utah; 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 58909). (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News)
Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Disability Insurance Legal News - May 15, 2013 Category: Medical Law Source Type: news

Sanofi recruits patients for arthritis trials
PARIS (Reuters) - French drugmaker Sanofi SA said it and U.S. firm Regeneron Pharmaceuticals have started recruiting patients for two new trials of their arthritis treatment sarilumab. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - May 15, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news

Systemic {alpha}-melanocyte-stimulating hormone administration decreases arthritis-induced anorexia and muscle wasting
In conclusion our data show that in arthritic rats peripheral α-MSH treatment has an anti-cachectic action increasing food intake and decreasing muscle wasting. (Source: AJP: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology)
Source: AJP: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology - May 15, 2013 Category: Physiology Authors: Gomez-SanMiguel, A. B., Martin, A. I., Nieto-Bona, M. P., Fernandez-Galaz, C., Lopez-Menduina, M., Villanua, M. A., Lopez-Calderon, A. Tags: Hormones, Reproduction and Development Source Type: research

CD161 expression characterizes a sub‐population of human regulatory T cells that produces IL‐17 in a STAT3 dependent manner
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved (Source: European Journal of Immunology)
Source: European Journal of Immunology - May 15, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Behdad Afzali, Peter J Mitchell, Francis C. Edozie, Giovanni AM Povoleri, Sophie E Dowson, Laura Demandt, Gina Walter, James B Canavan, Cristiano Scotta, Bina Menon, Prabhjoat S Chana, Wafa Khamri, Shahram Y Kordasti, Susanne Heck, Bodo Grimbacher, Timoth Tags: Regular Article Source Type: research

Abstract 121: Statin Use For Secondary Prevention Of Coronary Artery Disease In Patients Undergoing Repeat Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Real World Data [Poster Session I]
Conclusions: Real world data shows that we fail at adequate usage of statins or getting lipids to target goals. Interestingly around 90% of patients are prescribed statins on discharge from the cardiac catheterization lab. In practice statins are discontinued or higher doses to achieve target LDLs are avoided as they are generally less well tolerated due to side effects (muscle and liver toxicity). In this subset of patients, referral to lipid specialists and specialty centers and advent of newer lipid lowering drugs may prove to be beneficial. (Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes)
Source: Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes - May 15, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Rajamanickam, A., Zhang, Y., Rao, A., Aguiar, R., Bradley, E., Weintraub, W., Goldenberg, E. Tags: Poster Session I Source Type: research

Ilaris® Approved By FDA To Treat Active Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, A Serious Form Of Childhood Arthritis
Ilaris® (canakinumab) is the first interleukin-1 beta inhibitor for the treatment of SJIA and the only treatment approved specifically for SJIA that is given as a monthly subcutaneous injection1. In Phase III studies, 84% of Ilaris-treated SJIA patients achieved significant improvement of systemic and arthritic symptoms (pediatric ACR30) after a single subcutaneous dose1 Novartis has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ilaris® (canakinumab) for the treatment of active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) in patients aged 2 years and older... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 14, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Arthritis / Rheumatology Source Type: news

Haemodynamically irrelevant pericardial effusion is associated with increased mortality in patients with chronic heart failure
Conclusion In chronic heart failure, even minor PEs are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, cardiac death, and need for transplantation. (Source: European Heart Journal)
Source: European Heart Journal - May 14, 2013 Category: Cardiology Authors: Frohlich, G. M., Keller, P., Schmid, F., Wolfrum, M., Osranek, M., Falk, C., Noll, G., Enseleit, F., Reinthaler, M., Meier, P., Luscher, T. F., Ruschitzka, F., Tanner, F. C. Tags: Heart failure/cardiomyopathy Source Type: research

A novel in vitro bovine cartilage punch model for assessing the regeneration of focal cartilage defects with biocompatible bacterial nanocellulose
In vitro bovine cartilage punch model is a novel tool developed to evaluate potential bio-materials for use in cartilage regeneration and repair. (Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy)
Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy - May 14, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: David PretzelStefanie LinssHannes AhremMichaela EndresChristian KapsDieter KlemmRaimund Kinne Source Type: research

Ilaris® approved by FDA
Novartis announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Ilaris® (canakinumab) for the treatment of active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA) in patients aged two years and older. Ilaris is the first interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) inhibitor approved for SJIA and the only treatment approved specifically for SJIA that is given as a once-monthly subcutaneous injection. (Source: Pharmacy Europe)
Source: Pharmacy Europe - May 13, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news

Fat Triggers Rheumatoid Arthritis: Discovery Paves Way For New Gene Therapies, Treatments
Scientists have discovered that fat cells in the knee secrete a protein linked to arthritis, a finding that paves the way for new gene therapies that could offer relief and mobility to millions worldwide. ar "We found that fat in the knee joints secretes a protein called pro-factor D which gives rise to another protein known as factor D that is linked to arthritis," said Nirmal Banda, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. "Without factor D, mice cannot get rheumatoid arthritis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 13, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Arthritis / Rheumatology Source Type: news

Methotrexate/iatrogenic lymphoproliferative disorders in rheumatoid arthritis: histology, Epstein–Barr virus, and clonality are important predictors of disease progression and regression
ConclusionsHistology, EBV positivity, and monoclonality of IGH are useful for predicting clinical outcomes in patients with RA‐LPD. (Source: European Journal of Haematology)
Source: European Journal of Haematology - May 13, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Ayako Ichikawa, Fumiko Arakawa, Junichi Kiyasu, Kensaku Sato, Hiroaki Miyoshi, Daisuke Niino, Yoshizo Kimura, Masanori Takeuchi, Maki Yoshida, Yukinao Ishibashi, Shinji Nakashima, Yasuo Sugita, Osamu Miura, Koichi Ohshima Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

What can asymptomatic hyperuricaemia and systemic inflammation in the absence of gout tell us?
(Source: Rheumatology)
Source: Rheumatology - May 11, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Inaba, S., Sautin, Y., Garcia, G. E., Johnson, R. J. Tags: Crystal Arthritis EDITORIALS Source Type: research

Subcutaneous abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
The efficacy, safety and tolerability of i.v. abatacept are well established in patients with active RA. A s.c. abatacept formulation is now available in some countries. Here, we review clinical data for s.c. abatacept. Six trials are presented (Phase II dose-finding study, ACQUIRE, ALLOW, ACCOMPANY, ATTUNE and AMPLE) and issues important to both patients and clinicians are addressed. The primary focus assesses whether the i.v. and s.c. abatacept formulations have similar efficacy, including whether the recommended fixed dose of s.c. abatacept is comparable to the weight-tiered i.v. dosing and whether efficacy is sustained...
Source: Rheumatology - May 11, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Schiff, M. Tags: Pharmacology, Rheumatoid Arthritis REVIEWS Source Type: research

Hyperuricaemia elevates circulating CCL2 levels and primes monocyte trafficking in subjects with inter-critical gout
Conclusion. Hyperuricaemia causes elevated serum CCL2 levels and increased monocyte recruitment that may be driven by soluble uric acid-induced CCL2 production. Hyperuricaemia may initiate subclinical priming of circulating blood monocytes for adhesion and trafficking during a gout attack. (Source: Rheumatology)
Source: Rheumatology - May 11, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Grainger, R., McLaughlin, R. J., Harrison, A. A., Harper, J. L. Tags: Crystal Arthritis CLINICAL SCIENCE Source Type: research

Predictors for the 5-year risk of serious infections in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy: a cohort study in the Dutch Rheumatoid Arthritis Monitoring (DREAM) registry
Conclusion. Age, corticosteroid use, VAS pain, HAQ, TJC28 and the presence of comorbidities all at baseline were significant predictors for developing a serious infection during TNF inhibiting therapy in RA patients. (Source: Rheumatology)
Source: Rheumatology - May 11, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: van Dartel, S. A. A., Fransen, J., Kievit, W., Dutmer, E. A. J., Brus, H. L. M., Houtman, N. M., van de Laar, M. A. F., van Riel, P. L. C. M. Tags: Pharmacology, Rheumatoid Arthritis CLINICAL SCIENCE Source Type: research

Characteristics of Sjogren's syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis
Conclusion. RA/SS patients have distinctive features, with more complications and systemic involvement. In addition, disease activity is higher in RA/SS. (Source: Rheumatology)
Source: Rheumatology - May 11, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: He, J., Ding, Y., Feng, M., Guo, J., Sun, X., Zhao, J., Yu, D., Li, Z. Tags: Sjogren's Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis CLINICAL SCIENCE Source Type: research

Comparison of three imaging techniques in diagnosis of chondrocalcinosis of the knees in calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease
Conclusion. US appeared to be a helpful tool, possibly better than CR or CT, in revealing CC in patients with CPDD. Informativity of CT and CR in the detection of CC is almost equal. (Source: Rheumatology)
Source: Rheumatology - May 11, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Barskova, V. G., Kudaeva, F. M., Bozhieva, L. A., Smirnov, A. V., Volkov, A. V., Nasonov, E. L. Tags: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage CLINICAL SCIENCE Source Type: research

Pregnancy outcomes in women with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a population-based study
Conclusion. Infants of women with JIA did not have an increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Intensive obstetric care might be required during pregnancy for women with JIA given the increased risk of maternal morbidity. (Source: Rheumatology)
Source: Rheumatology - May 11, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Chen, J. S., Ford, J. B., Roberts, C. L., Simpson, J. M., March, L. M. Tags: CLINICAL SCIENCE Source Type: research

Rates of adherence and persistence with allopurinol therapy among gout patients in Israel
Conclusion. Only one out of six gout patients is adherent with allopurinol. Intervention programmes to increase adherence with treatment should focus on high-risk populations. (Source: Rheumatology)
Source: Rheumatology - May 11, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Zandman-Goddard, G., Amital, H., Shamrayevsky, N., Raz, R., Shalev, V., Chodick, G. Tags: Crystal Arthritis, Pharmacology CLINICAL SCIENCE Source Type: research

Efficacy and safety of leflunomide in DMARD-naive patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: comparison of a loading and a fixed-dose regimen
Conclusion. LEF was effective in DMARD-naïve patients with early disease. No incremental benefit was observed with the use of a loading dose, which may be associated with an increased initial rate of adverse events. The advantage of LEF initiation with a loading dose is not confirmed in this population. Trial Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov, http://clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT00596206. (Source: Rheumatology)
Source: Rheumatology - May 11, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Cutolo, M., Bolosiu, H., Perdriset, G., for the LEADER Study Group Tags: Pharmacology, Rheumatoid Arthritis CLINICAL SCIENCE Source Type: research

2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis predict increased mortality in patients with early arthritis: results from the Norfolk Arthritis Register
(Source: Rheumatology)
Source: Rheumatology - May 11, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Humphreys, J. H., Verstappen, S. M. M., Hyrich, K. L., Chipping, J., Symmons, D. P. M. Tags: Rheumatoid Arthritis OTHERS Source Type: research

A novel arthritis in vivo fluorescence optical imaging technology pushed to the limits
(Source: Rheumatology)
Source: Rheumatology - May 11, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Schafer, V. S., Hartung, W., Ehrenstein, B., Hoffstetter, P., Muller, M., Fleck, M. Tags: Rheumatoid Arthritis CASE REPORTS Source Type: research

Adenosine A2A receptors promote collagen production by a Fli1- and CTGF-mediated mechanism
Adenosine promotion of dermal fibrosis in conditions such as scleroderma is mediated by the transcription factor Fli1 and growth factor CTFG, highlighting potential targets for future anti-fibrotic therapies. (Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy)
Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy - May 11, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Edwin ChanHailing LiuPatricia FernandezAlex LunaMiguel Perez-AsoAndreea BujorMaria TrojanowskaBruce Cronstein Source Type: research

Novartis Arthritis Drug Gets FDA Nod for JIA
(MedPage Today) -- Ilaris, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1beta, has been approved for the treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis), the manufacturer announced. (Source: MedPage Today Pediatrics)
Source: MedPage Today Pediatrics - May 10, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Source Type: news

FDA Approves Ilaris for Rare Juvenile ArthritisFDA Approves Ilaris for Rare Juvenile Arthritis
Canakinumab is seen as a more benign alternative to the corticosteroids often prescribed for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. FDA Approvals (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - May 10, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Rheumatology News Alert Source Type: news

Krinos Foods, LLC. is Expanding its April 28, 2013 Recall to Include Additional Expiration Dates Jan 01-2014 to Jun 01-2014 of Tahini Products Because of Possible Health Risk
Krinos Foods, LLC. of Long Island City, New York is voluntarily recalling its TAHINI sesame paste, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infe...
Source: Food and Drug Administration - May 10, 2013 Category: Food Science Source Type: news

Natural Fibres Biologically Effective For Use In Stem Cell Cartilage Repair
Over 20 million people in Europe suffer from osteoarthritis which can lead to extensive damage to the knee and hip cartilage. Stem cells offer a promising way forward but a key challenge has been to design a 'smart material' that is biologically effective for cartilage tissue regeneration. Now researchers have identified a blend of naturally occurring fibres such as cellulose and silk that makes progress towards affordable and effective cell-based therapy for cartilage repair a step closer... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 10, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Arthritis / Rheumatology Source Type: news

U.S. approves Novartis drug Ilaris to treat childhood arthritis
ZURICH (Reuters) - Novartis said on Friday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved its drug Ilaris to treat a serious form of childhood arthritis. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - May 10, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news

Treatment of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: it is only the beginning
The new nomenclature used in spondyloarthritis (SpA), axial versus peripheral, as proposed by the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) and accepted in 2009, has changed the perspective of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and other types of spondylarthropathies.1 2 The axial type of SpA is subdivided in the (early) non-radiographic type (nr-axial SpA) and the radiographic type, which is equivalent to the diagnosis of AS (according to the modified New York criteria3). Instead of debating whether patients with AS do fulfil the grade of radiographic signs of sacroiliitis necessary for the diagnosis AS, the f...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - May 10, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: van der Horst-Bruinsma, I. E. Tags: Immunology (including allergy), Inflammation, Ankylosing spondylitis, Connective tissue disease, Degenerative joint disease, Musculoskeletal syndromes, Rheumatoid arthritis, Calcium and bone Editorials Source Type: research

Managing gout needs more than drugs: 'Il faut le savoir-faire, l'Art et la maniere'
Gout management has recently been a topic of active discussion, prompted by several European and international recommendations.1–3 Nevertheless, a number of studies have reported a suboptimal level of current gout care, including even poorer adherence to prescribed drugs,4 than in patients with diabetes or hypertension.5 Quality indicators for the treatment of gout developed to date have focused primarily on the use of allopurinol as the most frequently prescribed urate lowering therapy (ULT), adjustment of the maximal dose according to renal function and serum uric acid (SUA) level measurement.6 7 In their provocati...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - May 10, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Liote, F., Choi, H. Tags: Genetics, Immunology (including allergy), Inflammation, Radiology, Connective tissue disease, Degenerative joint disease, Musculoskeletal syndromes, Rheumatoid arthritis, Clinical diagnostic tests, Radiology (diagnostics), Epidemiology Editorials Source Type: research

MRI comes of age in RA clinical trials
The success of modern rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapies and treatment strategies has led to extended placebo phases being unethical in RA randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Modern trials therefore increasingly involve active comparator designs, and this together with some technical issues has meant difficulties in differentiating structural progression using traditional radiographic outcome measures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been demonstrated to assess damage more sensitively than radiographs, but importantly it can measure the upstream drivers of erosions and cartilage loss, synovitis and osteitis. An incr...
Source: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases - May 10, 2013 Category: Rheumatology Authors: Peterfy, C., Ostergaard, M., Conaghan, P. G. Tags: Viewpoint Source Type: research