Medicine
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Observational Study
Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody is highly associated with rheumatoid factor and radiological defects in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic debilitating inflammatory disease affecting mainly the joint, surrounding tissue and other extra-articular structures in the body. RA can lead to destruction of bone and cartilage which may cause severe disability and it is characterized by the presence of serum rheumatoid factor (RF). The anti-cyclic citrullinate peptide (anti-CCP) antibody is another serum biomarker used in RA diagnosis with higher sensitivity and specificity. ⋯ However, there was no significant difference between mean and classes of disease activity score and extra-articular manifestations between different anti-CCP antibody groups. In addition, extra-articular manifestations were not associated with high disease activity upon RA diagnosisThere was a significant association between anti-CCP antibody positivity and positive RF. Radiological defects were the sole clinical parameter significantly associated with anti-CCP antibody positivity, indicating that patients positive for anti-CCP antibody should be routinely monitored for radiological defects and their onset.
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Adiponectin (APN) and its receptors have been reported to be associated with metabolic phenotypes. To better understand the effects of APN levels and its receptors on diabetic retinopathy (DR), we investigated the association of the plasma APN level and variations in APN-related genes with DR, individually and in combination. Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D; N = 1604), above 20 years of age from the Taiwanese population participated in the study. ⋯ Gene risk score (GRS) was calculated based on 10 SNPs for each subject and the cumulative effect of genes was observed. Among the subjects with plasma APN level (N = 518), natural logarithm (LN) of APN (LN [APN]; odds ratio [OR] = 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19-2.25) and GRS (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.11-3.26 for middle range of GRS, and OR = 2.61, 95% CI = 1.48-4.59 for high range of GRS) were independent risk factors for DR after adjustment for other parameters. In conclusion, the plasma APN level and the genetic variations in adiponectin receptors were associated with DR.
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High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is an effective surgical technique that can stop or inhibit the progression of unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis (KOA) to avoid or postpone the need for knee arthroplasty in patients. Whether opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) is superior to closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy (CWHTO) in treating unicompartmental KOA remains controversial. ⋯ CRD4201811805.
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Neck pain is a common discomfort or more intense forms of pain in the cervical region. Neck pain has a large impact on individuals and their families, communities, healthcare systems, and businesses throughout the world. Therapeutic strategies are widely used for patients with neck pain in clinical practice, but the effectiveness of each therapeutic strategy is still unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of therapeutic strategies for neck pain. ⋯ PROSPERO (CRD42019102385).
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Advances in early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) has seen marked improvements in recent years. However, it is still the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although there are studies reporting the significance of miRNAs in stage II colorectal cancer, there is no known comprehensive study utilising collective data from multiple published studies. Thus, this study will focus on performing a systematic review and meta-analysis using published data to identify and underline multiple miRNA targets, with regard to disease prognosis in stage II CRC patients. ⋯ Based on the systematic review and meta-analysis results of this study, the possible miRNAs could be predicted toward the prognosis of stage II colorectal cancer, and specific miRNAs may perhaps be considered as a biomarker and therapeutic target for this malignancy.