Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minh Q. Tran, Helder S. Sousa, Thuc V. Ngo, Binh D. Nguyen, Quyen T. Nguyen, Huan X. Nguyen, Edward Baron, Jose Matos, Son N. Dang
Summary: Damage assessment is crucial for bridge engineers, especially for existing steel bridges. Vibration measurement is a typical approach to detect damage, but locating and quantifying the damage remains a challenge due to resource and logistics constraints. This study explores an AI-based approach and successfully monitors the structural behavior of a steel truss bridge during its operational stage.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Zhaohua Li, Dan Xu, Xintong Jiang, Ting Li, Yin Su, Rong Mu
Summary: This study aimed to describe the SCTC-DI in Chinese SSc patients and identify features predicting worse organ damage trajectories. The findings revealed that anemia at baseline and the presence of anti-Scl-70 autoantibodies were associated with organ damage progression.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Aggelos Banos, Konstantinos Thomas, Panagiotis Garantziotis, Anastasia Filia, Nikolaos Malissovas, Antigone Pieta, Dimitrios Nikolakis, Alexandros G. Panagiotopoulos, Aglaia Chalkia, Dimitrios Petras, George Bertsias, Dimitrios T. Boumpas, Dimitrios Vassilopoulos
Summary: This study analyzed the transcriptome of ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAVs) and identified different molecular expression patterns and pathways, providing new potential targets for therapy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Rheumatology
Megan R. W. Barber, Sindhu R. Johnson, Dafna D. Gladman, Ann E. Clarke, Ian N. Bruce
Summary: The SDI has been widely utilized for 25 years to assess organ damage in systemic lupus patients, but its limitations have prompted a global initiative to develop a revised and updated version to better capture organ damage across different age groups.
NATURE REVIEWS RHEUMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yinlan Shen, Johannes Schneider, Solomon Tesfamariam, Siegfried F. Stiemer, Zhongwei Chen
Summary: This study conducted comprehensive tests and numerical model assessments on the uniaxial cyclic behaviors of standard bracket connections for cross-laminated timber (CLT), comparing five analysis methods and identifying the most applicable one. The results showed that the Pinching4 model could accurately simulate the cyclic experimental uniaxial behavior of CLT bracket connections, but had limited abilities in modeling high unloading stiffness at the initial stage for CLT connections.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Daniel Mejia-Perez, Jesus Valdes-Gonzalez, Jaime De-la-Colina
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of using a specific percentage combination rule for orthogonal seismic effects on building engineering design. The optimal alpha values were found to minimize the total cost of buildings, but there is still no consensus on the exact value of alpha to use.
ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Michele Iudici, Christian Pagnoux, Delphine S. Courvoisier, Pascal Cohen, Antoine Neel, Achille Aouba, Francois Lifermann, Marc Ruivard, Olivier Aumaitre, Bernard Bonnotte, Francois Maurier, Thomas Le Gallou, Eric Hachulla, Alexandre Karras, Chahera Khouatra, Noemie Jourde-Chiche, Jean-Francois Viallard, Claire Blanchard-Delaunay, Pascal Godmer, Alain Le Quellec, Thomas Quemeneur, Claire de Moreuil, Alexis Regent, Benjamin Terrier, Luc Mouthon, Loic Guillevin, Xavier Puechal
Summary: Patients with localized granulomatosis with polyangiitis (L-GPA) present with different clinical features compared to systemic GPA (S-GPA), with younger age, less frequent saddle nose deformity or subglottic stenosis, and lower PR3-ANCA positivity. Treatment strategies also vary, with less frequent use of CYC and more frequent use of a combination of MTX and glucocorticoids in L-GPA patients. Despite similar relapse risks between L-GPA and S-GPA, L-GPA patients have higher overall survival rates and more frequent relapses in the ENT and lung regions.
Article
Rheumatology
Paul Brogan, Rae S. M. Yeung, Gavin Cleary, Satyapal Rangaraj, Ozgur Kasapcopur, Aimee O. Hersh, Suzanne Li, Dusan Paripovic, Kenneth Schikler, Andrew Zeft, Claudia Bracaglia, Despina Eleftheriou, Pooneh Pordeli, Simone Melega, Candice Jamois, Jacques Gaudreault, Margaret Michalska, Paul Brunetta, Jennifer C. Cooper, Patricia B. Lehane
Summary: In this study, 25 pediatric patients with new-onset or relapsing GPA or MPA completed the remission-induction phase with RTX treatment. Most patients experienced mild to moderate infusion-related adverse events, and the study results showed that RTX is well tolerated and effective in pediatric patients with GPA or MPA.
ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Paul Breillat, Marie Jachiet, Yoan Ditchi, Cedric Lenormand, Nathalie Costedoat-Chalumeau, Alexis Mathian, Philippe Moguelet, Paul Duriez, Marten Trendelenburg, Uyen Huynh-Do, Carlo Chizzolini, Clement Beuvon, Frederique Roy-Peaud, Jean-David Bouaziz, Annick Barbaud, Camille Frances, Arsene Mekinian, Olivier Fain, Zahir Amoura, Francois Chasset
Summary: This study aims to describe the clinical and pathological features of cutaneous vasculitis (CV) associated with SLE, focusing on diagnosis classification and its impact on overall SLE activity. The study included 39 patients, with 90% being females. Cutaneous manifestations of CV included palpable purpura and urticarial lesions, with the lower limbs being the most affected location. Sjogren's syndrome was found to be more prevalent in SLE patients with CV compared to those without CV.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lihong Wang, Shenghui Cui, Jianxiong Tang, Lei Fang, Xuejuan Fang, Sabita Shrestha, Bikram Manandhar, Jinliang Huang, Vilas Nitivattananon
Summary: Climate change and rapid urbanization have increased the occurrence and impact of floods. This article presents a combined riverine flood risk model that can assess the flood risk and evaluate the flood damage. The results show that the total inundation areas increase significantly at longer flood return periods and the flood risk is higher in the lower reaches of the Jiulong River Basin. The model provides useful information for future flood risk management.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Ronald F. van Vollenhoven, Kenneth C. Kalunian, Thomas Doerner, Bevra H. Hahn, Yoshiya Tanaka, Robert M. Gordon, Cathye Shu, Kaiyin Fei, Sheng Gao, Loqmane Seridi, Patrick Gallagher, Kim Hung Lo, Pamela Berry, Qing C. Zuraw
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The results showed that ustekinumab did not demonstrate superiority over placebo in terms of efficacy, and there were no significant differences in adverse events between the treatment groups.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Christopher David Box, Owen Cronin, Barbara Hauser
Summary: Systemic vasculitides are associated with inflammation of blood vessels and the treatment commonly involves high dose glucocorticoids, which can lead to bone loss and increased fracture risk, emphasizing the importance of monitoring bone health in these patients.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Karen Aymonnier, Jennifer Amsler, Peter Lamprecht, Alan Salama, Veronique Witko-Sarsat
Summary: Vasculitis is a group of rare immune-mediated diseases characterized by the attack of blood vessels by the immune system. Neutrophils play an important role in these diseases by releasing cytotoxic mediators that can harm the vascular system.
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sevda Musavian, Rojin Farzaneh, Mehran Rahimi, Aida Malek Mahdavi, Morteza Gojazadeh, Alireza Khabbazi
Summary: This study validated the Behcet's syndrome Overall Damage Index (BODI) in Iranian patients with BD and compared its performance with the vasculitis damage index (VDI). The results revealed a good correlation between BODI and VDI scores, with BODI showing the ability to accurately assess BD-related damage. Age at disease onset, disease duration, and disease severity were identified as independent predictors of BODI scores.
IRISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Shen Li, Do Kyun Kim
Summary: This paper presents a ship hull girder residual strength prediction tool based on the damage index and Smith-type progressive collapse method, and compares it with previous approaches. Recommendations for future research are outlined.
THIN-WALLED STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Joanna McLaughlin, Joshua Elsey, Ruth Kipping, Amanda Owen-Smith, Andrew Judge, Hugh McLeod
Summary: Commissioning policies in England that restrict access to hip and knee arthroplasty based on patients' body mass index and smoking status are widespread and increasing in prevalence. These policies may result in unequal access to surgery and specialist support for affected patients.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Fiona L. Coath, Marwan Bukhari, Georgina Ducker, Bridget Griffiths, Shahir Hamdulay, Melanie Hingorani, Candy Horsburgh, Colin Jones, Peter Lanyon, Sarah Mackie, Susan Mollan, Janice Mooney, Jagdish Nair, Ajay Patil, Joanna Robson, Vadivelu Saravanan, Eoin P. O'Sullivan, Madeline Whitlock, Chetan B. Mukhtyar
Summary: Objective GCA is the most common primary systemic vasculitis in adults, but access to secondary care GCA services vary widely. This study developed auditable quality standards for GCA services based on themes identified by a multidisciplinary committee. The standards cover various aspects including patient access, glucocorticoid use, pathways, ultrasonography, temporal artery biopsy, PET scan access, rheumatology/ophthalmology expertise, education, and multidisciplinary working.
Article
Rheumatology
Manuel Alfredo Podesta, Federica Mescia, Anna Ricchiuto, Rona Smith, Martina Tedesco, Matthias Arnaldo Cassia, Julia Holle, Renato Alberto Sinico, Annette Bruchfeld, Iva Gunnarsson, Sophie Ohlsson, Bo Baslund, Zdenka Hruskova, Vladimir Tesar, Gianmarco Sabiu, Maurizio Gallieni, Maria C. Cid, Augusto Vaglio, Lorraine Harper, Mario Cozzolino, Francesco Scolari, David Jayne, Federico Alberici
Summary: This study aims to assess factors associated with hypogammaglobulinemia in AAV patients treated with rituximab, and the results showed that hypogammaglobulinemia is common in AAV patients treated with rituximab, and lower IgG levels are associated with severe infections. Age and higher glucocorticoid doses increase the risk of hypogammaglobulinemia in these patients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David L. Hoelscher, Nassim Bouteldja, Mehdi Joodaki, Maria L. Russo, Yu-Chia Lan, Alireza Vafaei Sadr, Mingbo Cheng, Vladimir Tesar, Saskia V. Stillfried, Barbara M. Klinkhammer, Jonathan Barratt, Juergen Floege, Ian S. D. Roberts, Rosanna Coppo, Ivan G. Costa, Roman D. Buelow, Peter Boor
Summary: Pathology diagnostics still rely on tissue morphology assessment by trained experts. Here, the authors perform deep-learning-based segmentation followed by large-scale feature extraction of histological images, i.e., next-generation morphometry, to enable outcome-relevant and disease-specific pathomics analysis of non-tumor kidney pathology.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Hasan R. Mohammad, Andrew Judge, David W. Murray
Summary: The study examined the performance of cemented and cementless UKRs in different BMI groups. It found that higher-BMI groups had higher revision rates for cemented UKRs, but not for cementless UKRs. Cementless fixation was associated with reduced long-term revision rates and lower risks of aseptic loosening and pain in the obese group.
JOURNAL OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY-AMERICAN VOLUME
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Samuel Hawley, Dominic Inman, Celia L. Gregson, Michael Whitehouse, Antony Johansen, Andrew Judge
Summary: This study aims to identify risk factors and examine associations with returning home or recovery of mobility among hip fracture patients who have normal preoperative cognition. The results show that patients with postoperative delirium are less likely to return home or regain outdoor mobility. Multiple factors, including deficits in preoperative cognition and malnutrition, increase the risk of delirium, while the use of preoperative nerve blocks reduces the risk. Understanding the importance of preventing postoperative delirium and identifying high-risk patients can potentially improve outcomes for hip fracture patients.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Hasan Raza Mohammad, Andrew Judge, Christopher Dodd, David Murray
Summary: This study assessed the effects of pre and post-operative activity levels on cementless Unicompartmental Knee Replacement (UKR), and found that increasing post-operative activity did not increase revision rates but was associated with better post-operative function. Therefore, activity should not be restricted before or after cementless UKR.
Editorial Material
Rheumatology
Luca Quartuccio, Elena Treppo, Federico Alberici
Review
Rheumatology
M. B. Alchi, R. Lever, O. Flossmann, D. Jayne
Summary: In the initial treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), low-dose glucocorticoid (GC) regimens achieve equivalent efficacy while significantly reducing the risk of infection, as demonstrated by a systematic review and meta-analysis.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Luca Quartuccio, Elena Treppo, Livio Urso, Giulia Del Frate, Federica Mescia, Federico Alberici, Augusto Vaglio, Giacomo Emmi
Summary: In recent years, there has been significant progress in clinical research and treatments for ANCA-associated vasculitis. However, there are still unanswered questions and unmet needs regarding AAV patients, such as predicting relapse and improving quality of life. Identifying predictors of relapse can optimize therapies and reduce side effects, while recognizing the long-term consequences of the disease and its treatment is crucial. This review aims to highlight achievements, challenges, and the perspectives of physicians and patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jan Miroslav Hartinger, Danica Michalickova, Eliska Dvorackova, Karolina Hronova, Elke H. J. Krekels, Barbora Szonowska, Vladimira Bednarova, Hana Benakova, Gabriela Kroneislova, Jan Zavora, Vladimir Tesar, Ondrej Slanar
Summary: Peritonitis, a complication of peritoneal dialysis, can be treated with intraperitoneal administration of antibiotics. However, there are significant differences in dosing strategies for vancomycin, leading to potential underdosing in a large proportion of patients. Continuous dosing with a loading dose and dose adjustment based on plasma levels can improve intraperitoneal exposure and prevent toxicity.
Article
Transplantation
Federica Mescia, Chiara Salviani, Mattia Tonoli, Stefania Affatato, Daniele Moratto, Martina Tedesco, Alice Guerini, Alessia Gemmo, Marta Camoni, Elisa Delbarba, Roberto Zubani, Emirena Garrafa, Marco Chiarini, Gina Gregorini, Francesco Scolari, Federico Alberici
Summary: There is still uncertainty about the optimal dosing of rituximab in AAV patients. This study found that a subset of patients experienced sustained B-cell depletion after rituximab treatment, which was associated with reduced risk of flare and increased risk of serious infection in the long term. Preserved renal function and female sex were associated with faster B-cell repopulation.
NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Albert Navarro-Gallinad, Fabrizio Orlandi, Jennifer Scott, Mark Little, Declan O'Sullivan
Summary: Environmental exposures can affect our health and researchers need to integrate them with health events. We present a usability evaluation approach and study of a semantic framework that enables health data researchers to link health events with environmental data for rare disease research.
Article
Immunology
Ana Merino-Vico, Jan Piet van Hamburg, Paul Tuijnenburg, Giulia Frazzei, Aram Al-Soudi, Carlo G. Bonasia, Boy Helder, Abraham Rutgers, Wayel H. Abdulahad, Coen A. Stegeman, Jan-Stephan Sanders, Laura Bergamaschi, Paul A. Lyons, Theo Bijma, Laura van Keep, Kirsten Wesenhagen, Aldo Jongejan, Henric Olsson, Niek de Vries, Taco W. Kuijpers, Peter Heeringa, Sander W. Tas
Summary: B lineage cells play a critical role in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), and the transcription factor NF-kappa B may be a potential therapeutic target for AAV and other autoimmune diseases with prominent B cell involvement.
JOURNAL OF AUTOIMMUNITY
(2024)
Article
Rheumatology
Duvuru Geetha, Anisha Dua, Huibin Yue, Jason Springer, Carlo Salvarani, David Jayne, Peter Merkel
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of avacopan in a subgroup of patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis receiving rituximab as background induction therapy. The results showed that avacopan was comparable to prednisone taper in achieving remission at week 26, but had greater efficacy at week 52. Additionally, avacopan was associated with improved renal outcomes and lower glucocorticoid toxicity.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2023)