Article
Ophthalmology
Nasiq Hasan, Matthew Driban, Abdul Rasheed Mohammed, Swen Schwarz, Shakira Yoosuf, Daniel Barthelmes, Kiran Kumar Vupparaboina, Mayss Al-Sheikh, Jay Chhablani
Summary: This study found that choroidal volume and vascularity index are significantly reduced in patients on hydroxychloroquine therapy, especially at higher cumulative doses. These findings provide new tools for guiding medical decision-making for patients receiving hydroxychloroquine therapy for rheumatologic diseases.
Article
Rheumatology
Hilde Julie T. Lien, Tina T. Pedersen, Bente Jakobsen, Arnar Flatberg, Konika Chawla, Pal Saetrom, Mona H. Fenstad
Summary: The study compared cellular composition and peripheral blood gene expression in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and healthy pregnancies. The results showed distinct RA, SLE, and pregnancy signatures that were not attributed to medication or disease activity. The study supports the need for close postpartum follow-up of patients with SLE and highlights the importance of cell-type adjustment in gene expression analysis.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Liam J. O'Neil, Christopher B. Oliveira, Xinghao Wang, Mario Navarrete, Ana Barrera-Vargas, Javier Merayo-Chalico, Rwan Aljahdali, Eduardo Aguirre-Aguilar, Philip Carlucci, Mariana J. Kaplan, Carmelo Carmona-Rivera
Summary: Neutrophil infiltration into the synovial joint is a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study found that carbamylation, a posttranslational modification, is linked to increased bone erosion in RA. The researchers demonstrated that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and their carbamylated protein cargo directly promote bone destruction by inducing osteoclast formation.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Kevin L. Winthrop, Peter Nash, Kunihiro Yamaoka, Eduardo Mysler, Nasser Khan, Heidi S. Camp, Yanna Song, Jessica L. Suboticki, Jeffrey R. Curtis
Summary: In patients with RA, treatment with Upadacitinib (UPA) was associated with higher incidence and event rates of herpes zoster (HZ) compared to treatment with methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy or adalimumab (ADA) + MTX. The risk of HZ was also higher with the 30 mg dose of UPA compared to the 15 mg dose. Patients from Asia and those with a history of HZ may have an increased risk of HZ while receiving UPA.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mariangela Manfredi, Lieve Van Hoovels, Maurizio Benucci, Riccardo De Luca, Carmela Coccia, Pamela Bernardini, Edda Russo, Amedeo Amedei, Serena Guiducci, Valentina Grossi, Xavier Bossuyt, Carlo Perricone, Maria Infantino
Summary: uPAR is a membrane-bound glycoprotein, and its bioactive form, suPAR, is primarily expressed on the surface of immunologically active cells. Higher levels of suPAR have been associated with disease severity, relapse, and mortality in various inflammatory diseases. This review summarizes the current literature on the potential role of suPAR as a biomarker in autoimmune rheumatic and non-rheumatic diseases.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Eunji Ha, Sang-Cheol Bae, Kwangwoo Kim
Summary: A large trans-ancestral meta-analysis identified 11 new susceptibility loci for RA, explaining a significant portion of the heritability in East Asians and Europeans, and confirmed 71 known non-HLA susceptibility loci. The study also highlighted the importance of CD4(+) T-cell activation and potential non-immune organs in RA pathogenesis, providing insights into genetic etiology and variant-driven RA pathogenesis.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Anella Saviano, Adel Abo Manosour, Federica Raucci, Francesco Merlino, Noemi Marigliano, Anna Schettino, Mussarat Wahid, Jenefa Begum, Andrew Filer, Julia E. Manning, Gian Marco Casillo, Marialuisa Piccolo, Maria Grazia Ferraro, Simona Marzano, Pasquale Russomanno, Rosa Bellavita, Carlo Irace, Jussara Amato, Mohammed Alfaifi, Peter Rimmer, Tariq Iqbal, Stefano Pieretti, Valentina Vellecco, Francesco Caso, Luisa Costa, Roberto Giacomelli, Raffaele Scarpa, Giuseppe Cirino, Mariarosaria Bucci, Helen M. McGettrick, Paolo Grieco, Asif Jilani Iqbal, Francesco Maione
Summary: This study identified a novel IL-17A/F-derived peptide and generated a new anti-IL-17 antibody that can effectively reverse the pro-inflammatory actions of IL-17A/F. The antibody showed less off-target effects compared to the current gold-standard biologic. Preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrated the high efficacy and therapeutic potency of the antibody in patients with IMIDs.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Takashi Higuchi, Shomi Oka, Hiroshi Furukawa, Kota Shimada, Shinichiro Tsunoda, Satoshi Ito, Akira Okamoto, Masao Katayama, Koichiro Saisho, Satoshi Shinohara, Toshihiro Matsui, Kiyoshi Migita, Shouhei Nagaoka, Shigeto Tohma
Summary: This study is the first to show an association between the rs2609255 variant of the FAM13A gene and interstitial lung disease (ILD) in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggesting its involvement in the pathogenesis of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). Further studies on the function of rs2609255 are needed.
Review
Rheumatology
Pedro Santos-Moreno, Gabriel Burgos-Angulo, Maria Alejandra Martinez-Ceballos, Alejandro Pizano, Dario Echeverri, Paula K. Bautista-Nino, Anton J. M. Roks, Adriana Rojas-Villarraga
Summary: Traditional and non-traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease have been established, with age and inflammation being important factors. Individuals with autoimmune diseases are more likely to experience accelerated vascular aging, leading to higher morbidity and mortality rates from cardiovascular disease. The beneficial impact of treatments for rheumatoid arthritis on cardiovascular health has opened new opportunities for pharmacotherapy.
Review
Immunology
Ting Zhao, Zhaohu Xie, Yujiang Xi, Li Liu, Zhaofu Li, Dongdong Qin
Summary: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease influenced by genetics and environmental factors. Rodent models are commonly used for RA research, but genetic differences between rodents and humans lead to inconsistent results, requiring exploration of new models. Non-human primates (NHPs), which share closer similarities to humans in terms of immune system, metabolic conditions, and genetic makeup, offer a powerful tool for studying RA development and drug development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Rheumatology
Daniel Pankowski, Kinga Wytrychiewicz-Pankowska, Konrad Janowski, Ewa Pisula
Summary: The study found that patients with RA have greater impairment of cognitive functioning compared to healthy controls, with effect sizes varying depending on the assessment method used. It also highlighted potential biases, lack of replication, and inconsistencies in reporting data as possible confounding factors, suggesting further recommendations for assessment methods, research directions, and clinical implications.
Review
Immunology
Ilaria Mormile, Francesca Mosella, Piergiorgio Turco, Filomena Napolitano, Amato de Paulis, Francesca Wanda Rossi
Summary: Calcinosis is a severe complication of autoimmune disorders, including types like calcinosis cutis and calciphylaxis. Calcification of damaged tissues in the presence of normal calcium and phosphate levels is commonly associated with autoimmune diseases. Calciphylaxis, characterized by vascular calcifications and thrombosis, is also related to autoimmune conditions. It is important for physicians to be aware of the clinical presentation and management of calcinosis in order to choose appropriate treatment and prevent long-term complications.
Article
Rheumatology
Eunji Ha, So-Young Bang, Jiwoo Lim, Jun Ho Yun, Jeong-Min Kim, Jae-Bum Bae, Hye-Soon Lee, Bong-Jo Kim, Kwangwoo Kim, Sang-Cheol Bae
Summary: The study identified a large number of rheumatoid arthritis-specific DEGs in CD4(+) T cells, with a focus on T cell differentiation and activation pathways. Additionally, rheumatoid arthritis-specific DMRs were correlated with the expression levels of DEGs, mainly in the same topologically associating domains. Furthermore, expressional variances in DEGs were partially explained by expression QTLs and meQTLs, indicating potential regulatory roles of rheumatoid arthritis-risk variants in shaping gene expression and methylation patterns.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Serena Fasano, Valentina Messiniti, Michele Ludici, Melania Alessia Coscia, Francesco Ciccia
Summary: Recent guidelines recommend using a lower dose of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to reduce the risk of retinopathy in SLE patients. To evaluate the impact of dose reduction, we compared flare incidence in SLE patients treated with different oral HCQ dosages and analyzed HCQ blood levels. The study found that higher HCQ blood levels and older age were protective against flares, while concomitant immunosuppressant therapy increased the risk.
LUPUS SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Pan Shen, Xuan Deng, Zhe Chen, Xin Ba, Kai Qin, Ying Huang, Yao Huang, Tingting Li, Jiahui Yan, Shenghao Tu
Summary: SIRT1, as a member of the class III family of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+))-dependent histone deacetylases, plays a crucial role in the progression of various diseases, including autoimmune diseases. Modulating the functions of SIRT1 may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for these diseases.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Ophthalmology
Keissy Sousa, Manuel Falcao
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Ophthalmology
Flavio Ribeiro, Manuel S. Falcao
Summary: Corticosteroids are used in various ophthalmological diseases, with sustained-release corticosteroid implants showing promise for delivering treatment to the eye's posterior segment. The 0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implant is approved for diabetic macular edema and noninfectious uveitis, but more research is needed to explore its potential use in other diseases.
JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Ana Maria Cunha, Maria Manuel Iglesias, Amandio Rocha-Sousa, Fernando Falcao-Reis, Manuel Falcao
Summary: This study compared the clinical features and visual outcomes of endophthalmitis following intravitreal injections, cataract surgery, and pars plana vitrectomy, showing significantly worse visual outcomes in endophthalmitis post-PPV.
JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Carolina Madeira, Goncalo Godinho, Ana Grangeia, Manuel Falcao, Renato Silva, Angela Carneiro, Elisete Brandao, Augusto Magalhaes, Fernando Falcao-Reis, Sergio Estrela-Silva
Summary: In this study, the clinical phenotype and genetic findings of two variants in PDE6C causing achromatopsia (ACHM) were reported. Patients exhibited typical symptoms including decreased visual acuity, severe photophobia, and colour vision disturbances, with one patient showing more severe subfoveal outer retina atrophy.
CASE REPORTS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Ophthalmology
Mario Lima-Fontes, Luis Meira, Pedro Barata, Manuel Falcao, Angela Carneiro
Summary: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of severe, irreversible vision impairment in developed countries, and its prevalence is rising worldwide. The relationship between gut microbiota and AMD has been a recent focus of research.
SURVEY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Mariana Leuzinger-Dias, Mario Lima-Fontes, Rita Rodrigues, Claudia Oliveira-Ferreira, Carolina Madeira, Fernando Falcao-Reis, Vitor Fernandes, Amandio Rocha-Sousa, Manuel Falcao
Summary: The study reported the clinical outcomes and safety profile of scleral-fixated Akreos AO60 intraocular lens implantation using Gore-Tex suture. There was a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity postoperatively, with complications such as transient ocular hypertension observed.
JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Nuno Gomes, Angelina Meireles, Angela Carneiro, Rufino Silva, Antonio Campos, Lilianne Duarte, Rita Flores, Carlos Marques-Neves
Summary: The study aimed to reach a consensus on the relevance of retinal fluid in AMD management. Through Delphi panel discussions, consensus was achieved for over half of the questions, which will contribute to the improvement of AMD management and treatment.
INTERNATIONAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ana Rita Reis, Joao P. S. Ferreira, Ana Guerra, Antonio Fernandes, Sonia Torres-Costa, Manuel Falcao, Marco P. L. Parente
Summary: The article discusses the relationship between retinal displacement caused by epiretinal membrane contraction and the outcome of vitrectomy surgery. By analyzing data from two patients, it was found that the magnitude of retinal displacement is correlated with the success of the surgery.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Carolina Madeira, Goncalo Alves, Goncalo Godinho, Jorge Meira, Vitor Leal, Manuel Falcao, Fernando Falcao-Reis, Joao Barbosa Breda
Summary: This case report presents a middle-aged woman with bilateral idiopathic elevated episcleral venous pressure (IEEVP) and highlights the difficulties in diagnosing this condition. The atypical feature of ocular hypertension without glaucomatous optic nerve damage may be misleading. The study emphasizes the importance of a systematic investigation and considering differential diagnoses to rule out life-threatening causes of elevated episcleral venous pressure.
CASE REPORTS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Rodrigo Vilares-Morgado, Ivo Silva, Ana Maria Cunha, Angela Carneiro, Fernando Falcao-Reis, Manuel Falcao
Summary: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of complete retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and outer retinal atrophy (cRORA) in patients with unilateral exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) of the fellow eye and determine if the presence of non-exudative macular neovascularization (NE-MNV) affects the prevalence of RPE and outer retinal atrophy in eyes with AMD. The study found that the presence of NE-MNV was not associated with the prevalence of cRORA and/or FAF GA, but eyes with NE-MNV had smaller areas of GA, suggesting that this type of neovascularization may prevent the progression of RPE and outer retinal atrophy. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Article
Ophthalmology
Sonia Torres-Costa, Joao Bernardes, Sofia Sousa Mano, Joana Medeiros-Pinto, Ana Carolina Abreu, Maria Joao Furtado, Rufino Silva, Carlos Marques-Neves, Fernando Falcao-Reis, Angela Carneiro, Luisa Colaco, Manuel Falcao
Summary: This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections in treating choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with angioid streaks. The results showed that the treatment had a generally satisfactory functional and morphologic response, which was maintained in the long term.
JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mario Lima-Fontes, Gonzalo Godinho, Ana Maria Cunha, Carolina Madeira, Manuel Falcao, Fernando Falcao-Reis, Angela Carneiro
Summary: This article describes a case of hypotony maculopathy following anti-VEGF intravitreal injection in a patient with pseudoxanthoma elasticum. The patient presented with several conditions that could be related to poor scleral wound closure, but recovered well after treatment.
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CASE REPORTS JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Mario Lima-Fontes, Mariana Leuzinger-Dias, Ricardo Barros-Pereira, Vitor Fernandes, Manuel Falcao, Fernando Falcao-Reis, Amandio Rocha-Sousa, Pedro Alves-Faria
Summary: This case series evaluated the effectiveness and safety of fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant (FAc) in the treatment of refractory postoperative cystoid macular edema (PCME). The results showed that FAc implant can effectively resolve macular edema in some patients and reduce the need for repeated treatments.
OPHTHALMOLOGY AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Margarida Ribeiro, Claudia Barbosa, Paulo Correia, Luis Torrao, Pedro Neves Cardoso, Raul Moreira, Fernando Falcao-Reis, Manuel Falcao, Joao Pinheiro-Costa
Summary: We evaluated new tomographic parameters for documenting KC progression and found that AdjEleBmax showed better specificity, AUC, and performance compared to EleBmax. It may serve as a reliable indicator when used in conjunction with other variables for assessing KC progression.
CLINICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Mario Lima-Fontes, Mariana Leuzinger-Dias, Rita Rodrigues, Ricardo Barros-Pereira, Manuel Falcao, Vitor Fernandes, Pedro Alves-Faria, Fernando Falcao-Reis, Amandio Rocha-Sousa
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the clinical presentation, management strategy, and visual outcomes of patients with Terson syndrome in a tertiary center in Portugal. A retrospective study was conducted, reviewing the medical records of consecutive patients diagnosed with Terson syndrome from January 2018 to August 2021. The primary outcome was the change in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline to the final evaluation.
CLINICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)