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	Low prevalence of anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies in a French scleroderma population Anti-RNA polymerase III scleroderma. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-RNAP III was rarely detected in a French population of SSc patients. Their prevalence was even lower than the one observed in rheumatoid arthritis controls. Therefore local immunologic profiles should be established before deciding a change in clinical practice for SSc immune screening. PMID: 20206882 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: European Journal of Internal Medicine)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Free radical scavenging activity of Rathod N R, Raghuveer I, Chitme H R, Chandra RIndian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2009 71(6):615-621Swarnabhasma , an Ayurvedic preparation containing Calotropis gigantea R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) is extensively used by Ayurvedic physicians for treatment of diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and nervous disorders. In the present study, we report the effect of chloroform extracts of Calotropis gigantea leaf and flower on free radical scavenging activity, and lipid profile in streptozotozin-induced diabetic rats. The lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were measured in liver homogenate and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid profile were measured in blood serum. Administration ... No Survival Improvement in RA (CME/CE) Despite decades of dramatic advances in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, survival has not improved for these patients, a Dutch study found. (Source: MedPage Today Geriatrics) Revolutionary hip operation that's left patients crippled for life It's supposed to be the cutting edge answer to arthritis. But as this shocking report reveals, hip resurfacing can wreak havoc with your body. (Source: the Mail online \| Health) Comparison of hyaluronan effects among normal, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis cartilages stimulated with fibronectin fragment. This study was aimed to compare the inhibitory effects of HA on nitric oxide (NO) production by COOH-terminal heparin-binding fibronectin fragment (HBFN-f) between normal and diseased cartilages. When articular cartilage explants from normal, OA, or RA joints were incubated with HBFN-f, the RA and OA cartilages produced higher levels of NO compared with normal cartilage. Pretreatment with 2700 kDa HA resulted in significant suppression of HBFN-f-stimulated NO production in OA and RA cartilages. While CD44 was up-regulated in OA and RA cartilages, anti-CD44 antibody reversed HA inhibition of HBFN-f action in those cartilages. The present results clearly demonstrated that HA blocked HBFN-f actions in OA and RA cartilages through interaction with CD44. HA, which targets CD44 highly expressed ... Hyaluronan Inhibits Prostaglandin E(2) Production via CD44 in U937 Human Macrophages. This study was aimed to investigate the inhibitory mechanism of HA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PGE(2) production in U937 human macrophages. Stimulation of U937 macrophages with LPS enhanced PGE(2) production in association with increased protein levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Pretreatment with HA of 2,700 kDa resulted in suppression of the LPS-mediated induction of COX-2, leading to a decrease in PGE(2) production. Likewise, the LPS-stimulated PGE(2) production was inhibited by the pretreatment with a specific COX2 inhibitor, NS-398, or a specific inhibitor of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, BAY11-7085. HA also decreased the degree of phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB enhanced by LPS. Fluorescence cytochemistry demonstrated that HA bound to CD44, the princi...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Evaluating the Role of Rheumatoid Factors for the Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Mouse Model with a Newly Established ELISA System. Authors: Tanaka Y, Komori H, Mori S, Soga Y, Tsubaki T, Terada M, Miyazaki T, Fujino T, Nakamura S, Kanno H, Sawasaki T, Endo Y, Nose M Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) have been widely used to determine quantitatively autoantibodies. However, the processes for the purification and immobilization of antigens in conventional ELISA methods include multiple steps, which have hampered the application for screening of autoantibodies. Here, we have developed a novel ELISA system using the plates pre-coated with glutathione casein to capture recombinant proteins fused to N-terminal glutathione S-transferase (GST). The GST-fused proteins were synthesized with the wheat germ cell-free protein production system. Thus, the present system combined the GST-capture ELISA with the cell-free... Arthritis: Side Effect-Free Treatment (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Electromagnetic pulses were found to significantly decrease pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com) Proapoptotic fibronectin fragment induces the degradation of ubiquitinated p53 via proteasomes in periodontal ligament cells Conclusion: These data show that a proapoptotic fibronectin matrix induces ubiquitination and degradation of p53 in the proteasome as part of a novel mechanism of apoptosis associated with inflammatory diseases. (Source: Journal of Periodontal Research) Developments in the Scientific and Clinical Understanding of Fibromyalgia Research over the past decade has yielded significant progress in understanding fibromyalgia. Arthritis Research & Therapy (Source: Medscape Rheumatology Headlines) 56. The effect of pain on cognitive abilities of patients with rheumatoid arthritis The aim was to examine the impact of the pain on the cognitive abilities in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods: we investigated 60 patients with RA and 30 healthy subjects. The intensity of pain was determined by VAS, cognitive abilities by the Wechsler memory scale, functional ability by HAQ questionnaire, and disease activity by DAS28 score. (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> 57. Anxiety in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis The aim was to identify the frequency and level of anxiety in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In 60 patients with RA, aged 49.87±7.56 yrs., we evaluated: disease activity by DAS28 score, functional ability by the HAQ, and anxiety by Spielberger test (state and trai anxiety). (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology) Roche, Biogen stop arthritis drug program Roche and Biogen Idec pulled the plug on a late-stage rheumatoid arthritis treatment program after a review panel found sometimes-fatal infections. (BIIB) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines) Roche, Biogen suspends arthritis drug after deaths ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG and U.S. biotechnology company Biogen Idec are suspending experimental rheumatoid arthritis and lupus treatment ocrelizumab after deaths following its use, casting doubt over its future. (Source: Reuters: Health) NicOx announces FDA Advisory Committee to discuss naproxcinod on May 12 Sophia Antipolis, France, March 8, 2010. -NicOx S.A. today announces that on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to hold a meeting of the Arthritis Drugs Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk... (Source: Drugs.com - New Drug Applications) Roche, Biogen suspend arthritis drug after deaths ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG and U.S. biotechnology company Biogen Idec are suspending rheumatoid arthritis and lupus treatment ocrelizumab after it caused deaths, casting doubt over the drug's future. (Source: Reuters: Health)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Roche Suspends Arthritis Drug Study After Deaths From Associated Press (March 8, 2010)   BASEL, Switzerland -- Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche Group said Monday it has suspended a late-stage trial for a new rheumatoid arthritis and lupus drug after several patients died from... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News) Arthritis drug development halted Development of a drug used to treat arthritis has been halted by Roche and Biogen. (Source: Pharmacy Europe) Roche and Biogen Idec Decide to Suspend Ocrelizumab Treatment - Rheumatoid Arthritis Development Programme on Hold Future of the Ocrelizumab RA clinical programme under evaluation Basel, Switzerland, March 8, 2010--Roche and Biogen Idec announced today their decision to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment of patients in the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News) Pain Relief For Osteoarthritis Provided By Electromagnetic Pulses Electromagnetic pulses significantly decrease pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis of the knee, according to Henry Ford Hospital researchers... (Source: Pain / Anesthetics News From Medical News Today) Pain Relief For Osteoarthritis Provided By Electromagnetic Pulses Electromagnetic pulses significantly decrease pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis of the knee, according to Henry Ford Hospital researchers. In the double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study, 34 patients used a portable battery-operated device that emits a low-intensity pulsating electromagnetic frequency and experienced more than 40 percent pain relief on their first day. "Our results show pulsed electromagnetic fields caused a significant decrease in pain" says Fred Nelson, M.D... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Experimental Vaccine Protects Monkeys Against Chikungunya Imagine a mosquito-borne virus that has already infected millions of people in recent outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia, the islands of the Indian Ocean, Africa and northern Italy. Although seldom fatal, it causes highly painful arthritis-like symptoms that can linger for months or even years. It's capable of adapting to spread through a mosquito species common in much of North America. And no vaccine or treatment exists to protect humans from its effects. The scenario may sound like something dreamed up as a training exercise by public health authorities, but the virus is all too real... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today) Experimental Vaccine Protects Monkeys Against Chikungunya Imagine a mosquito-borne virus that has already infected millions of people in recent outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia, the islands of the Indian Ocean, Africa and northern Italy. Although seldom fatal, it causes highly painful arthritis-like symptoms that can linger for months or even years. It's capable of adapting to spread through a mosquito species common in much of North America... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today) Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee Pain Title: Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee PainCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/6/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/8/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Chronic Pain General) Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee Pain Title: Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee PainCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/6/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/8/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Senior Health General) Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee Pain Title: Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee PainCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/6/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/8/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Roche And Biogen Idec Decide To Suspend Ocrelizumab Treatment - Rheumatoid Arthritis Development Programme On Hold Roche and Biogen Idec announced recently their decision to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment of patients in the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) programme. (Source: Pharmaceutical Online News) Roche and Biogen Idec decide to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment - Rheumatoid Arthritis development programme on hold Roche and Biogen Idec announced today their decision to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment of patients in the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) programme. (Source: Roche Media News) Roche and Biogen Idec decide to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment - Rheumatoid Arthritis development programme on hold Roche and Biogen Idec announced today their decision to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment of patients in the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) programme. (Source: Roche Investor Update) Circulating surfactant protein -D is low and correlates negatively with systemic inflammation in early, untreated rheumatoid arthritis IntroductionSurfactant protein D (SP-D) is a collectin with immuno-regulatory functions, which may depend on oligomerization. Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties have been attributed to multimeric SP-D variants, while trimeric subunits per se have been suggested to enhance inflammation. Previously, we reported low circulating SP-D in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the present investigation aims to extend these data by serial SP-D serum measurements, studies on synovial fluid, SP-D size distribution and genotyping in patients with early RA. Methods: One-hundred-and-sixty DMARD naive RA patients with disease duration less than 6 months were studied prospectively for 4 years (CIMESTRA trial) including disease activity measures (C-reactive protein, joint counts and Health Ass... Electromagnetic pulses may ease osteoarthritis pain A battery-operated device that emits electromagnetic pulses could provide significant pain relief to people with osteoarthritis of the knee, scientists have claimed. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Feasibility and Outcomes of a Home-Based Exercise Program on Improving Balance and Gait Stability in Women With Lower-Limb Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study. - Williams SB, Brand CA, Hill KD, Hunt SB, Moran H. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and gait stability and balance outcomes of a 4-month individualized home exercise program for women with arthritis. DESIGN: Pre-post interventional study. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: Women (N=49) (volunt... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated)) Studies Detail Possible Benefits Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids For Dogs With Arthritis A series of studies published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) offers new insights into the possible benefits derived from feeding foods containing high omega-3 fatty acid concentrations to dogs with osteoarthritis. The results of the three studies, according to contributing author Dr. Kevin Hahn, director of research and chief medical officer at Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., show that the dogs that were fed the foods experienced less pain associated with the disease and greater mobility... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today) Studies Detail Possible Benefits Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids For Dogs With Arthritis A series of studies published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) offers new insights into the possible benefits derived from feeding foods containing high omega-3 fatty acid concentrations to dogs with osteoarthritis. The results of the three studies, according to contributing author Dr... (Source: Veterinary News From Medical News Today) Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee Pain New device could improve life quality without side effects, expert says Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Knee Injuries and Disorders, Osteoarthritis (Source: MedlinePlus Health News) UCB Rheumatoid Arthritis Family Scholarship Deadline Applications are being accepted until March 19, 2010 for the UCB Rheumatoid Arthritis Family Scholarship. (Source: Disabled World)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Early Combination Therapy Best in RA (CME/CE) Combination therapy with methotrexate and the tumor necrosis factor inhibitor etanercept (Enbrel) provided significantly greater clinical and radiographic benefits in early rheumatoid arthritis than treatment with methotrexate alone, an international double-blind study confirmed. (Source: MedPage Today Geriatrics) We Must No Longer Ignore the Cruelty of Our Eating (Opinion) (NaturalNews) The more forcefully we ignore something, the more power it has over us and the more strongly it influences us. Taking a clear look at the foods produced by modern methods and what we have been conditioned to accept, we find misery, cruelty and exploitation. Therefore, we avoid looking deeply at our food, if of animal origin, and continue floating in that big river in Egypt (the Nile). This practice of avoidance and denial, applied to eating, carries over automatically into our entire private and public life. We know, deep down, that we cannot look deeply anywhere. If we do, we will have to look deeply into the enormous suffering our food choices directly cause.So, we learn to stay shallow and to be willingly blind to the connections we see. Otherwise, our remorse and guilt wo... Lack of association between paraoxonase-1 Q192R polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis in southeast Iran. Authors: Hashemi M, Moazeni-Roodi AK, Fazaeli A, Sandoughi M, Bardestani GR, Kordi-Tamandani DM, Ghavami S Decreased paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. There are two polymorphisms in serum PON1; one differs in the amino acid at position 192 (Q192R) and the other one differs at position 55 (L55M). We looked for a possible association between Q192R polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis. The Q192R polymorphism in 88 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 78 healthy subjects was determined using tetra amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. We found no significant differences between rheumatoid arthritis patients and control subjects regarding PON1 Q19... McCormick & Company Initiates Recall Due to Possible Health Risk from HVP Ingredient McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) is initiating a recall of products manufactured with HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein) supplied by Basic Food Flavors of Las Vegas, Nevada, because the ingredient has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. "Consumption of products containing Salmonella 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., infected aneurysms) endocarditis and arthriti... Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus Linked to Retinopathy In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), long-term hydroxychloroquine therapy increases the risk of retinopathy, according to a February 12th online publication in Arthritis Care & Research. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Ophthalmology Headlines)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Merck "could face 500 Vioxx claims" US pharmaceutical giant Merck could be bracing itself for hundreds of lawsuits in Australia after a judge ruled its arthritis drug Vioxx doubled the risk of a heart attack. (Source: Pharmacy Europe) Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of chikungunya fever: Lessons learned from the re-emerging epidemic Mohan Alladi, Kiran D.H.N, Manohar I Chiranjeevi, Kumar D PrabathIndian Journal of Dermatology 2010 55(1):54-63Chikungunya fever, caused by &amp;quot;Chikungunya virus,&amp;quot; is an arbovirus disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes belonging to the genus &lt;i&gt;Aedes&lt;/i&gt;. Chikungunya fever epidemics have been reported from several countries around the world. The disease that was silent for nearly 32 years re-emerged in the October 2005 outbreak in India that is still ongoing. The incubation period ranges from 3 to 12 days. The onset is usually abrupt and the acute stage is characterized by sudden onset with high-grade fever, severe arthralgias, myalgias, and skin rash. Swollen tender joints and crippling arthritis are usua... Mucocutaneous manifestations of Chikungunya fever Bandyopadhyay Debabrata, Ghosh Sudip KumarIndian Journal of Dermatology 2010 55(1):64-67Chikungunya fever (CF) is an arboviral acute febrile illness transmitted by the bite of infected &lt;i&gt;Aedes&lt;/i&gt; mosquitoes. After a quiescence of more than three decades, CF has recently re-emerged as a major public health problem of global scale. CF is characterized by an acute onset of high fever associated with a severe disabling arthritis often accompanied by prominent mucocutaneous manifestations. The disease is usually self-limiting, but the joint symptoms and some of the cutaneous features may persist after the defervescence. A wide range of mucocutaneous changes has been described to occur in association with CF during the current epidemic. Besides a morbill... Inflammatory Bowel Disease Serologies in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients: A Pilot Study Mucosal dysregulation may play a significant role in ankylosing spondylitis, according to this pilot study. Arthritis Research & Therapy (Source: Medscape Today Headlines) Salmonella Scare Prompts Wide Product Recall Title: Salmonella Scare Prompts Wide Product RecallCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/4/2010 8:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/5/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Certain Bone Drugs May Lower Breast Cancer Risk Title: Certain Bone Drugs May Lower Breast Cancer RiskCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/5/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/5/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General) NICE Asks For More Data On New Drug For Rheumatoid Arthritis NICE's independent appraisal committee has asked Roche, the manufacturer of tocilizumab (RoActemra), a new treatment for moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, for further additional information on its product. The committee is minded not to recommend the use of the drug but the additional information it has asked for today (4 March) could result in the final guidance being positive at specific stages of the treatment pathway. This draft guidance has been issued for consultation: NICE has not yet issued final guidance to the NHS... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today) NICE Asks For More Data On New Drug For Rheumatoid Arthritis NICE's independent appraisal committee has asked Roche, the manufacturer of tocilizumab (RoActemra), a new treatment for moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, for further additional information on its product... (Source: Arthritis News From Medical News Today) Topical NSAID Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain Conclusions. Topical NSAIDs may vary significantly in their absorption kinetics and pharmacodynamic effects, based on NSAID molecule and the formulation chosen. Some topical NSAID formulations have been shown to be more effective than placebo in multiple studies, or to have comparable efficacy and a better safety profile than oral NSAIDs for single joint osteoarthritis and acute muscle injuries. In acute and chronic low back pain, widespread musculoskeletal pain, and in peripheral neuropathic pain syndromes, the current evidence does not support the use of topical NSAIDs. (Source: Pain Medicine) The Protective Effect of Bee Venom against Ethanol-Induced Hepatic Injury via Regulation of the Mitochondria-Related Apoptotic Pathway In conclusion, bee venom treatment in ethanol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis occurred through the regulation of Bcl family with subsequent inactivation of the Caspase and PARP. These results suggest that bee venom could be an effective agent to reduce ethanol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. (Source: Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> [Seminar] Bacterial septic arthritis in adults Symptoms and signs of septic arthritis are an important medical emergency, with high morbidity and mortality. We review the changing epidemiology of septic arthritis of native joints in adults, encompassing the increasing frequency of the disorder and its evolving antibiotic resistance. We discuss various risk factors for development of septic arthritis and examine host factors (tumour necrosis factor ?, interleukins 1 and 10) and bacterial proteins, toxins, and enzymes reported to be important determinants of pathogenesis in mouse models. Diagnosis of disease is largely clinical, guided by investigations and the opinion of skilled clinicians. We emphasise the need for timely medical and surgical intervention?most importantly, through diagnostic aspiration of relevant joints, choice of ... TRAF1/C5 polymorphism is not associated with increased mortality in rheumatoid arthritis; two large longitudinal studies Conclusions: The TRAF1/C5 region is not associated with an increased mortality risk. (Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy) Football 'good for bone health' Adults who play football on a regular basis are likely to benefit from improved bone health, new research suggests. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign) NICE requests more information on rheumatoid arthritis drug tocilizumab The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has asked the manufacturer of a drug called tocilizumab (RoActemra) for more information on its efficacy before publishing its final guidance on the rheumatoid arthritis treatment. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign) NICE publishes draft guidance on rheumatoid arthritis drugs after initial anti-TNF use The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published preliminary recommendations on the management of rheumatoid arthritis after initial treatment with an anti-TNF drug has failed. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Fibrillary glomerulonephritis in rheumatoid arthritis (Source: Nephrology) Promotion of arthritis and allergy in mice by aminoglycoglycerophospholipid, a membrane antigen specific to Mycoplasma fermentans Mycoplasmas, which lack a cell wall and are the smallest self-replicating bacteria, have been linked to some chronic diseases, such as AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and oncogenic transformation of cells. Their membrane components (lipoproteins and glycolipids) have been identified as possible causative factors in such diseases. Glycoglycerophospholipid (GGPL)-III, a unique phosphocholine-containing aminoglycoglycerophospholipid, is a major specific antigen of Mycoplasma fermentans, and has been detected in 38% of RA patients. Unlike those of lipoproteins, which induce inflammation via Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), the pathologic effects of GGPL-III are poorly understood. RA and metal allergies are chronic inflammatory diseases in which autoantigens have been implicated. Here, we examined... Just Do It to Live! Let's face it, fad-diets and anti- aging products may seem like the answer to all the noticeable, unwanted side effects of aging. The truth is, once a man hits 40, the risk of heart disease, cancer, strokes, and arthritis increases dramatically, and... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research) Lancet Seminar: Bacterial septic arthritis in adults Source: Lancet Area: News The authors of this Seminar review the changing epidemiology of septic arthritis of native joints in adults, including the increasing frequency of the disorder and its evolving antibiotic resistance. They also discuss the various risk factors for the development of this condition and the importance of timely diagnosis and management. (Source: NeLM - News) Exploring Tai Chi in rheumatoid arthritis: a quantitative and qualitative study Conclusions: Improved muscle function in lower limbs was also reflected when patient experiences with Tai Chi were studied in depth in this explorative study. The combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods shows that Tai Chi has beneficial effects on health not related to disease activity and standardised health status assessment, and may contribute to an understanding of how Tai Chi exerts its effects.Trial registration: NCT00522054 (Source: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Pharmacists may help to fight osteoporosis Pharmacists could play an important role in encouraging people to take care of their bone health, new research suggests. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign) Oral treatment with HE3286 ameliorates disease in rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis. Authors: Auci DL, Mangano K, Destiche D, White SK, Huang Y, Boyle D, Frincke J, Reading CL, Nicoletti F HE3286 (17alpha-ethynyl-5-androstene-3beta, 7beta, 17beta-triol) is an orally bio-available synthetic derivative of naturally occurring androstene-3beta, 7beta, 17beta-triol. Our present data show that oral treatment with HE3286, favourably influenced the course of arthritis in the rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (reduced cumulative disease scores and paw edema), and in the mouse model of collagen antibody-induced arthritis (reduced clinical paw scores). Importantly, HE3286 was not immune suppressive in human mixed lymphocyte reaction or in animals challenged with Coxsackie B3 virus. HE3286 is currently in phase I/II clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative coli... NICE Reassessment Of Switching Decision Brings Little Hope For Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) has expressed their frustration at NICE's provisional decision not to allow patients with rheumatoid arthritis to routinely switch from one Anti-TNF drug to another. This is the second time NICE has appraised the sequential effectiveness of multiple biologic therapies following NRAS's successful appeal of negative NICE guidance on switching in 2007. Over time, some patients find that whichever Anti-TNF they have been taking becomes less effective and have found benefit from being able to switch to another Anti-TNF... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today) New 'Work Charter' Launched To Help 6.5m People With Musculoskeletal Conditions To Stay In Work, UK Today the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA), backed by leading policymakers and employers, is calling for positive action to ensure people with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are properly supported to access employment and remain in their jobs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today) New 'Work Charter' Launched To Help 6.5m People With Musculoskeletal Conditions To Stay In Work, UK Today the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA), backed by leading policymakers and employers, is calling for positive action to ensure people with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are properly supported to access employment and remain in their jobs... (Source: Bones / Orthopaedics News From Medical News Today)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> NICE Reassessment Of Switching Decision Brings Little Hope For Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) has expressed their frustration at NICE's provisional decision not to allow patients with rheumatoid arthritis to routinely switch from one Anti-TNF drug to another. This is the second time NICE has appraised the sequential effectiveness of multiple biologic therapies following NRAS's successful appeal of negative NICE guidance on switching in 2007... (Source: Arthritis News From Medical News Today) NICE Consults On Draft Recommendations For Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis After Treatment With A TNF Inhibitor Has Failed The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising a number of drugs as possible treatments for rheumatoid arthritis after treatment with a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor has failed. This is a part review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 36, and a review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 126 and 141. NICE has put its initial draft guidance on the NICE website, and this is now open for public consultation... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today) NICE Consults On Draft Recommendations For Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis After Treatment With A TNF Inhibitor Has Failed The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising a number of drugs as possible treatments for rheumatoid arthritis after treatment with a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor has failed. This is a part review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 36, and a review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 126 and 141... (Source: Arthritis News From Medical News Today) Arthritis drug 'too costly' for England (but not Scotland) Thousands of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers in England could be condemned to a lifetime of pain after the drugs rationing body turned down a ‘last chance’ treatment available in Scotland. (Source: the Mail online \| Health) A case of emphysematous pyelonephritis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis taking corticosteroid and low-dose methotrexate In this report, we describe a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis in a patient with RA associated with AA amyloidosis and steroid-induced diabetes mellitus who was taking corticosteroid and low-dose methotrexate. (Source: APLAR Journal of Rheumatology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Combination of etanercept and methotrexate 'effective' in early rheumatoid arthritis Combination therapy with etanercept and methotrexate is an effective treatment for patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis, new trial data show. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign) Finemapping of the arthritis QTL Pia7 reveals co-localization with Oia2 and the APLEC locus Authors: C Rintisch, T Kelkka, U Norin, J C Lorentzen, P Olofsson & R Holmdahl (Source: Genes and Immunity) Moderators of the Negative Effects of Catastrophizing in Arthritis Conclusions. Collectively, educational achievement and positive social interactions may protect against some of the deleterious effects of catastrophizing. The design of future interventions to reduce catastrophizing or ameliorate its impact on pain outcomes may benefit from further study of these subgroups of patients. (Source: Pain Medicine) NICE issues third Appraisal Consultation Document on tocilizumab for rheumatoid arthritis Source: NICE Area: News NICE has issued its third Appraisal Consultation Document on tocilizumab which contained the following preliminary recommendations:   Tocilizumab is not recommended for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in people whose disease has responded inadequately to:   . One or more previous DMARDs before, or as an alternative to, treatment with TNF blockers.   . One or more previous TNF blocker before, or as an alternative to, treatment with rituximab.   . Previous TNF blockers and who are intolerant to, or unsuitable for, treatment with rituximab.   The Committee recommends that NICE requests cost-effectiveness analyses from the manufacturer of tocilizumab for the scenarios involving ... Influence of TNF blockers on cancer incidence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and prior malignancy Source: Arthritis Care & Research Area: News No previous published studies have been able to address the question as to whether anti-TNF therapy influences the rate of malignancy in patients with prior malignancy. Using data from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register (BSRBR), researchers conducted this study in an attempt to answer this question.   A total of 293 patients with a prior malignancy were identified from over 14,000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the rates of incident malignancy were analysed in 177 anti-TNF treated patients and 117 patients with active RA treated with traditional DMARDs, all with prior malignancy.   The rates of incident malignancy were 25.3 events/ 1000 person years in the anti-TNF cohort and 38.3 / 1000 perso...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Activated Synovial Macrophages as Targets for Osteoarthritis Drug Therapy. Authors: Bondeson J The great success of targeted biologic therapy against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in recent years has meant that much research has been devoted to investigating the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA) in the hope of defining novel therapeutic targets. In contrast to RA, with its pannus and erosions, OA has long been thought of as a degenerative disease of cartilage, with secondary bony damage and osteophytes. But in recent years, the importance of the synovium, and in particular the synovial macrophages, in OA, has been highlighted in both in vitro and in vivo studies. This review will discuss the potential of synovial macrophages and their mediators, in particular the proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1, as potential therapeut... Smoking, Use of Moist Snuff and Risk of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases. CONCLUSION: Smokeless tobacco does not increase the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases, suggesting that inhaled non-nicotinic components of cigarette smoke are more important than nicotine itself in the aetiology of these diseases. PMID: 20203245 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine) Continuing Professional Development Is Associated With Increasing Physical Therapists' Roles in Arthritis Management in Canada and the Netherlands. CONCLUSIONS:/b> This exploratory analysis highlights the association between participation in arthritis-related CPD courses and the roles assumed by physical therapists in OA and RA management. Further research is needed to understand the effects of CPD activities on other areas of physical therapist practice and on patients' outcomes. PMID: 20203095 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Physical Therapy) Qualitative Research Ethics: Enhancing Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy. CONCLUSIONS:/b> These findings build on previous research and discussion in physical therapy and other disciplines that urge a flexible approach to qualitative research ethics and recognize that ethics are embedded in an unfolding research process involving the role of the subjective researcher and an active participant. We suggest reflexivity as a way to recognize ethical moments throughout qualitative research and to help build methodological and ethical rigor in research relevant to physical therapist practice. PMID: 20203093 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Physical Therapy) Effects of a 6-Week, Individualized, Supervised Exercise Program for People With Bleeding Disorders and Hemophilic Arthritis. CONCLUSIONS:/b> A professionally designed and supervised, individualized exercise program is feasible, safe, and beneficial for people with bleeding disorders, even in the presence of concomitant disease. A longitudinal study with a larger sample size, a blinded examiner, and a control group is needed to confirm the results. PMID: 20203091 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Physical Therapy)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> The Relationship Between Mental and Physical Health People with depression often have worse physical health, as well as worse self-perceived health, than those without depression. Depression and other physical health conditions have separate but additive effects on well-being. For example, the combination of heart disease and depression can cause twice the reduction in social interaction than either condition alone. Patients with both depression and physical health problems are at particular risk: The physical problem can complicate depression’s assessment and treatment by masking or mimicking its symptoms. It can work the other way as well. People with any chronic physical disease tend to feel more psychological distress than do healthy people. Poor physical health brings an increased risk of depression, as do the social and relati... Capacity planning in rheumatology day units A comparison of the administration regimens for two rheumatoid arthritis drugs across three hospital day units has highlighted an opportunity for substantial time savings for healthcare providers and patients. (Source: HSJ) Tim's Cascade Snacks Recalls 'Hawaiian® Kettle Style Potato Chips - Sweet Maui Onion' and 'Hawaiian- Sweet Maui Onion Rings' Because of Possible Health Risk Out of regard and concern for our consumers, Tim?s Cascade Snacks of Algona, Washington is recalling ?HAWAIIAN® Kettle Style Potato Chips - SWEET MAUI ONION? AND ?HAWAIIAN - SWEET MAUI ONION RINGS? because they have 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., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. (Source: Foo... Rheumatologists Have Plenty Of Choice Among Biologic Agents For RA - Where Will Actemra Find Its Niche? BioTrends Research Group released topline findings from LaunchTrends®: ACTEMRA, Wave 1, highlighting the market uptake of the product at one month post launch. Actemra (tocilizumab), marketed by Roche-Genentech, is a new IL-6 inhibitor with monthly dosing by IV infusion. The study results are based on an on-line survey completed by 77 rheumatologists in late February... (Source: Arthritis News From Medical News Today) Rheumatologists Have Plenty Of Choice Among Biologic Agents For RA - Where Will Actemra Find Its Niche? BioTrends Research Group released topline findings from LaunchTrends®: ACTEMRA, Wave 1, highlighting the market uptake of the product at one month post launch. Actemra (tocilizumab), marketed by Roche-Genentech, is a new IL-6 inhibitor with monthly dosing by IV infusion. The study results are based on an on-line survey completed by 77 rheumatologists in late February... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> RCN joins call for positive action for those with musculoskeletal disorders The Royal College of Nursing is joining with other members of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) to call for positive action to ensure people with musculoskeletal disorders are properly supported to access employment and remain in their jobs. (Source: Royal College of Nursing - UK- National News) Anti-arthritic Action Mechanisms of Natural Chondroitin Sulfate in Human Articular Chondrocytes and Synovial Fibroblasts. Authors: Imada K, Oka H, Kawasaki D, Miura N, Sato T, Ito A To clarify the exact anti-arthritic action mechanisms of chondroitin sulfate (CS), we evaluated the effects of CS derived from shark cartilage (CS-SC) composed mainly of chondroitin-6-sulfate and porcine trachea cartilage (CS-PC) composed mostly of chondrotin-4-sulfate on the functions of human articular chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts. Both CS-SC and CS-PC (from 1 to 100 mug/ml) effectively suppressed the interleukin (IL)-1beta (10 ng/ml)-enhanced gene expression of aggrecanase-1/a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin-like motifs (ADAMTS)-4 and aggrecanase-2/ADAMTS-5 in articular chondrocytes embedded in alginate beads and synovial fibroblasts. In addition, CS-SC and CS-PC overcame the IL-1beta-mediated... Does Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Symptoms? Title: Does Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Symptoms?Category: Doctor's ViewsCreated: 3/3/2010 1:48:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/3/2010 1:48:43 PM (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General) More workplace help' needed for people with musculoskeletal disorders Campaign groups, policymakers and employers have called for people with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) to receive more support to help them stay at work. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign) Study finds fat types have different effects on bone health A new study has found that the bone health of obese teenage girls may depend on the type of fat they carry. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> NICE issues preliminary recommendations (ACD) on drugs for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after failure of a TNF inhibitor Source: NICE Area: News NICE has been asked to produce guidance on using adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab and abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after the failure of a TNF inhibitor in the NHS in England and Wales. The Appraisal Committee has issued an Appraisal Consultation Document (ACD), which includes the following preliminary recommendations:   1.1 Rituximab in combination with methotrexate is recommended as an option for the treatment of adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis: . that has responded inadequately to other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including treatment with at least one tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor, or . who are intolerant of other DMARDs.   1.2 Treatment with rituximab in ... Arthritis Prevalence Is Higher in U.S. Than in Canada Arthritis is significantly more prevalent in the United States than in Canada, especially in American women, according to a study published in the March issue of Arthritis Care & Research. Authors of the study postulate increase may be due to higher rates of obesity and physical inactivity. (Source: Modern Medicine) Autoantibodies in Autoimmune Diseases. Authors: Eggert M, Zettl UK, Neeck G The occurrence of autoantibodies is a common feature of autoimmune diseases. This review is intended to give an overview of the most important autoantibodies and their role in diagnosis, disease activity and prognosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematodes (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Whereas in RA and SLE these antibodies are meaningful for diagnosis and partially for the prognosis of the disease, the situation is quite different in the case of MS. Up to date, no specific antibody is known to be exclusively present in the serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS-patients compared to the respective fluids of healthy individuals. Nevertheless, there are some antigens that are reported to be bound significantly more often by ... Cutting Edge: Mast Cells Express IL-17A in Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovium. Authors: Hueber AJ, Asquith DL, Miller AM, Reilly J, Kerr S, Leipe J, Melendez AJ, McInnes IB The proinflammatory cytokine IL-17A is considered a crucial player in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. In experimental models of autoimmune arthritis, it has been suggested that the cellular source of IL-17A is CD4(+) T cells (Th17 cells). However, little is known about the source of IL-17 in human inflamed RA tissue. We explored the cellular sources of IL-17A in human RA synovium. Surprisingly, only a small proportion of IL-17-expressing cells were T cells, and these were CCR6 negative. Unexpectedly, the majority of IL-17A expression colocalized within mast cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated in vitro that mast cells produced RORC-dependent IL-17A upon stimulation with TNF-alpha, IgG c... Primary Care Doctors Ordering Unnecessary Scans Title: Primary Care Doctors Ordering Unnecessary ScansCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/1/2010 4:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/2/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Tuesday 2 March Back-pain help for workers: Employers need to do more to help people with back and joint pain stay in work, according to experts. The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance called for a range of measures and rights to tackle the issue, which costs society an estimated £7bn a year. The alliance, an umbrella group representing 34 charities and health bodies including the National Osteoporosis Society, Royal College of Nursing and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, believes more should be done to help those already suffering ill-health. (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert) The loss of health status in rheumatoid arthritis and the effect of biologic therapy: a longitudinal observational study Conclusions: Biologic therapy retards RA progression, but its effect is far less than is seen in clinical trials. In the community, cost-effectiveness is substantially less than that estimated from clinical trial data. The study results represent the incremental benefit of adding biologic therapy to optimum non-biologic therapy. (Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy) Anabolic and catabolic responses of human articular chondrocytes to varying oxygen percentages Conclusions: The application of more physiologic oxygen percentage during specific phases of differentiation culture enhanced the biosynthetic activity and reduced the activity of catabolic enzymes implicated in cartilage breakdown. Modulation of the oxygen percentage during HAC culture may be used to study pathophysiological events occurring in osteoarthritis and to enhance properties of in vitro engineered cartilaginous tissues. (Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy) Distribution of candidate genes for experimentally induced arthritis in rats Conclusions: From the genome wide CGC search, we conclude that candidate genes for arthritis in rat are randomly distributed between QTL and non-QTL regions. We do however find certain pairs of QTLs that share a large number of functionally connected candidate genes, suggesting that these QTLs contain a number of genes involved in similar functions contributing to the arthritis phenotype. (Source: BMC Genomics - Latest articles) Urokinase-type plasminogen activator and arthritis progression: role in systemic disease with immune complex involvement Conclusions: u-PA is required for the full development of systemic arthritis models involving immune complex formation and deposition. The cellular source of u-PA required for CIA is bone marrow-derived and likely to be of myeloid origin. For immune complex-mediated peritonitis, and perhaps some other inflammatory responses, it is suggested that the u-PA involvement may be upstream of C5a signaling. (Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Diagnostic value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides and association with HLA-DRB1 shared epitope alleles in African rheumatoid arthritis patients Conclusions: Anti-CCP2 antibodies are useful markers of RA in African patients. In this cohort, the prevalence of the SE is higher in RA patients than in controls but lower than that reported in patients cohorts of European ancestry. The discrepancy between the high prevalence of ACPA-positive patients and the relatively low number of SE-positive cases suggest that, in addition to SE, other genetic factors control the development of ACPA in African RA patients. (Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy) Cost-effectiveness of biologics in early rheumatoid arthritis. Authors: Boers M PMID: 20194247 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine) Cost-effectiveness of biologics in early rheumatoid arthritis. Authors: Finckh A, Bansback N, Liang MH PMID: 20194244 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine) Pharmacology of glucocorticoids in rheumatoid arthritis. Authors: Spies CM, Bijlsma JW, Burmester GR, Buttgereit F Glucocorticoids (GCs) provide one of the most effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, their long-term use is marred by undesired side effects. Increased understanding of the mechanisms of glucocorticoid action enables the development of novel drugs, such as SEGRAs or liposomal glucococorticoids, trying to improve their benefit/risk ratio. But also trying to optimise the use of conventional glucocorticoids is a sensible approach. One example is a new modified release prednisone tablet formulation that has been recently shown to be clinically and significantly better than the conventional immediate-release preparation with respect to reducing morning stiffness of the joints. The 'old spear' can also be sharpen... Long-Term Results of Radial Head Resection Following Isolated Radial Head Fractures in Patients Younger Than Forty Years Old Conclusions: Radial head resection in young patients with isolated fractures without instability yields long-term satisfactory results in >90% of cases. Osteoarthritic changes are uniformly present but typically are not associated with functional impairment. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. (Source: JBJS [Am])<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Two-Dimensional Glenoid Version Measurements Vary with Coronal and Sagittal Scapular Rotation Conclusions: Any malalignment of ≥1° of the scapula in the coronal or sagittal plane will create inaccuracies in measuring glenoid version. The plane of axial reconstruction should be aligned with the scapula when two-dimensional computed tomography images are used to measure glenoid version. These findings support the use of three-dimensional models to evaluate glenoid version. Clinical Relevance: When computed tomography scans are made to evaluate glenoid version, the plane of axial reconstruction must be taken into account. In contrast, glenoid version measured on three-dimensional models is independent of scapular position. (Source: JBJS [Am]) Modifications in tissue kallikrein activity with indomethacin and prednisolone treatment in arthritic rats Abstract  This investigation was conducted to evaluate the tissue kallikrein activity in the synovial and paw tissues of control, non-treated adjuvant arthritic and adjuvant arthritic rats treated either with indomethacin or prednisolone. Adjuvant arthritis was induced in male Sprague?Dawley rats in the right knee by injecting 0.05 ml of a fine suspension of heat-killed Mycobacterium tubercle bacilli in liquid paraffin (5 mg/ml). Indomethacin (2.5 mg/kg given orally) and prednisolone (3.0 mg/kg given orally) treatment for 9 days caused a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in knee swelling. In non-treated adjuvant rats, synovial tissue kallikrein levels were raised (P < 0.01) than the synovial tissue kallikrein obtained from c... Increased Extracellular Survivin in the Synovial Fluid of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes as a Potential Source of Extracellular Survivin In this study, we assessed the expression of survivin in rheumatoid synovial fluids (SF) and synovial tissues (ST) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in order to investigate the role of extracellular survivin in the pathogenesis of RA. The survivin level from SF was significantly higher in RA patients (n?=?38) than in osteoarthritis patients (n?=?18; 10.68?±?2.76 vs. 1.0?±?0.56 pg/ml, p?=?0.02). In addition, SF survivin level was higher in erosive RA patients (n?=?23) than in non-erosive RA patients (n?=?15; 15.26?±?4.26 vs. 4.47?±?1.12 pg/ml, p?=?0.05). SF survivin level in RA was positively correlated with disease activity score 28, but did not reach statistical significance (r?=?0.309, p?=?0.07). RA SF survivin level wa... Coexistence between meningioma and tuberculosis: case report Abstracts  Intracranial tuberculoma generally presents as either solitary or multiple lesions in the brain parenchyma. These are characterized by a ring-enhancing area on either computerized tomography scans or magnetic resonance images. A 66 year-old female with a history of breast carcinoma at 41 years, treated with radical mastectomy and radio and chemotherapy, and rheumatoid arthritis, treated in the last 10 years, presented two months ago with occipital headache, nausea, cerebellar syndrome, alterations of speech, and memory loss. The TC scan showed occipital enhancement by contrast and surrounded by oedema, suggesting metastasis. Histology showed a benign meningioma with many multinuclear giant cells, granulomas, and central caseating necrosis.... Aspects of TNF inhibitor therapy in rheumatoid arthritis This article addresses some of these aspects of treating RA, reviewing the studies on these two newer TNF inhibitors, certolizumab pegol and golimumab, and those addressing the induction of remission or low disease activity with TNF inhibitors and maintenance with less intensive treatment. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Review ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10165-010-0277-7Authors Jackie Nam, Chapel Allerton Hospital Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease Chapeltown Road Leeds LS7 4SA UKPaul Emery, Chapel Allerton Hospital Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease Chapeltown Road Leeds LS7 4SA UK Journal Modern RheumatologyOnline ISSN 1439-7609Print ISSN 1439-7595 (Source: Modern Rheumatology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Juvenile idiopathic arthritis among Nigerians: a case study The objective of this study was to determine the clinical, laboratory, and radiographic features of patients with JIA, as well as to highlight their management. A total of 23 cases (F-16:M-7) were seen over an 8.5-year period. Polyarticular presentation was the commonest while systemic onset was the least. The mean age at presentation was 12.7 years. Most of the patients presented late with mean of 3.7 years before presentation. The knees and ankles were most commonly involved. ESR was elevated in most of the cases. Rheumatoid factor and Antinuclear antibodies were invariably negative. Treatments were with standard drugs. Although JIA is uncommonly seen in our population, the clinical and laboratory features are similar as elsewhere, though there are some differences. ... Spontaneous pneumomediastinum secondary to refractory dermatomyositis successfully treated with rituximab Abstract  Spontaneous pneumomediastinum has been described in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (Korkmaz et al., Rheumatology 40:476?478, 2001; Maruoka et al., Mod Rheumatol 16:55?57, 2006; Kono et al., Ann Rheum Dis 59:372?376, 2000; Neves et al., Clin Rheumatol 26:105?107, 2007). Literature reviews suggest that this complication has a mortality of between 27% and 41% ( Kono et al., Ann Rheum Dis 59:372?376, 2000; Neves et al., Clin Rheumatol 26:105?107, 2007; Goff et al., Arthritis Rheum 61:108?118, 2009). This is the first report of rituximab being used successfully as part of the treatment for DM complicated by pneumomediastinum. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportDOI 10.1007/s10067-010-1399-1Authors Martin A. Lee, Royal D... Backlash from Singh libel case puts chiropractors on ropes One in four chiropractors in Britain are under investigation as a result of campaign by Singh supporters, reveals Martin RobbinsAs the British Chiropractic Association's battle with Simon Singh continues to work its way through the legal system, chiropractors are counting the fincancial costs of a major backlash resulting from a libel action that has left the Lord Chief Justice "baffled". What was originally a dispute between the BCA and one science writer over free speech has become a brutally effective campaign to reform an entire industry.A staggering one in four chiropractors in Britain are now under investigation for allegedly making misleading misleading claims in advertisements, according to figures revealed by the General Chiropractic Council.The council, which is responsible for r... Chiropractors on the ropes One in four chiropractors in Britain are under investigation as a result of campaign by Singh supporters, reveals Martin RobbinsAs the British Chiropractic Association's battle with Simon Singh continues to work its way through the legal system, chiropractors are counting the financial costs of a major backlash resulting from a libel action that has left the Lord Chief Justice "baffled". What was originally a dispute between the BCA and one science writer over free speech has become a brutally effective campaign to reform an entire industry.A staggering one in four chiropractors in Britain are now under investigation for allegedly making misleading claims in advertisements, according to figures from the General Chiropractic Council.The council, which is responsible for regulating the profe... Why pharmaceuticals might be called Weapons of Mass Prescription (NaturalNews) Most people are familiar with traditional weapons of mass destruction such biological weapons, nuclear weapons and chemical weapons. The point of all such weapons of mass destruction is to inflict a large number of casualties on civilian populations as a way to cripple a nation into political or military submission.When it comes to actually deploying weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) against civilian populations, no country has murdered more innocent civilians than the United States of America through its bombing of two Japanese cities during World War II. (This isn't rhetoric, it's an historical fact.)Atomic bombs were very visible WMDs deployed in World War II as a way to force the empire of Japan to surrender to western forces. Since that time, full-scale nuclear weapons ...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Pharmaceuticals are Weapons of Mass Prescription (comic) (NaturalNews) Most people are familiar with traditional weapons of mass destruction such biological weapons, nuclear weapons and chemical weapons. The point of all such weapons of mass destruction is to inflict a large number of casualties on civilian populations as a way to cripple a nation into political or military submission.When it comes to actually deploying weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) against civilian populations, no country has murdered more innocent civilians than the United States of America through its bombing of two Japanese cities during World War II. (This isn't rhetoric, it's an historical fact.)Atomic bombs were very visible WMDs deployed in World War II as a way to force the empire of Japan to surrender to western forces. Since that time, full-scale nuclear weapons ... Liver Biopsy Title: Liver BiopsyCategory: Procedures and TestsCreated: 12/31/1997Last Editorial Review: 3/1/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General) Sprains and Strains Title: Sprains and StrainsCategory: Diseases and ConditionsCreated: 3/5/2003Last Editorial Review: 3/1/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General) New Clues to Lupus' Link With Heart Disease Title: New Clues to Lupus' Link With Heart DiseaseCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/26/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/1/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General) New Treatment Eyed for Deadly Pancreatic Cancer Title: New Treatment Eyed for Deadly Pancreatic CancerCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/26/2010 6:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/1/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Health Tip: Who's a Good Candidate for LASIK? Title: Health Tip: Who's a Good Candidate for LASIK?Category: Health NewsCreated: 3/1/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/1/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General) The Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, a longitudinal cohort study on health disparities in Puerto Rican adults: challenges and opportunities. Conclusions: The enrollment of minority groups presents unique challenges. This report highlights approaches to working with difficult to reach populations, and describe some of the health issues and needs of Puerto Rican older adults. These results may inform future studies and interventions aiming to improve the health of this and similar communities. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles) Etanercept plus methotrexate compared to methotrexate alone in early rheumatoid arthritis Source: Arthr Rheum Area: News According to the results from the second year of the COMET trial, early use of the combination of etanercept and methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) appears to be superior to methotrexate monotherapy in terms of both clinical and radiographical outcomes.   The COMET trial randomised 542 patients with early moderate-to-severe RA who were methotrexate-naïve to methotrexate (MTX; 7.5-20mg/week; n=268) or MTX (same dose) plus etanercept (50mg/week; n=274).  Initial results from the COMET trial, published in the Lancet in 2008, showed that a higher proportion of the combination treatment group achieved clinical remission and radiographical non-progression at 52 weeks (these were the co-primary endpoints; see NeLM news summary at the link belo... Follow-up data for abatacept in children indicate medium-term safety and efficacy This report summarises the efficacy in those who completed 21 months or more abatacept, and safety date from all treated subjects. Efficacy was measured ... (Source: NeLM - News) Non-length dependent small fiber neuropathy. A prospective case series We report the features of non-length dependent small fiber neuropathy (SFN) and compare them to those with distal length-dependent SFN. In a series of 224 consecutive neuropathy patients, we evaluated 44 patients with SFN diagnosed in the presence of both symptoms and signs. Eleven were classified as non-length dependent SFN. Disease associations were Sjögren's syndrome (two patients), impaired glucose tolerance, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C virus, Crohn's disease, and idiopathic (five patients). In the 33 patients with distal SFN, the age of onset was significantly older and more had impaired glucose metabolism (16/33). In both groups, pain was mainly characterized as burning, but patients with non-length dependent SFN more often reported an "itchy" quality and allodynia to light to...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Group talking therapy 'may ease back pain' Group therapy sessions could be an effective and inexpensive way of treating low back pain, new research suggests. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign) Homeopathy 'unlikely to treat rheumatoid arthritis' New research suggests that people with rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from attending homeopathy consultations, but that any improvements in their symptoms are likely to be down to the consultations themselves and not the actual treatment. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign) A Cost-Utility Analysis of Nonsurgical Management, Total Wrist Arthroplasty, and Total Wrist Arthrodesis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Conclusions: In the absence of rigorous outcome data, cost-utility analysis is a useful tool to guide treatment decisions. Total wrist arthroplasty and total wrist arthrodesis are both extremely cost-effective procedures. This study incorporated patient and physician utilities to demonstrate that total wrist arthroplasty has only a small incremental cost over the traditional total wrist arthrodesis procedure. Based on this economic model, total wrist arthroplasty may be worthy of further consideration, and cost should not be considered prohibitive.Type of study/level of evidence: Decision Analysis II. (Source: The Journal of Hand Surgery) Multiple vertebral involvement of rheumatoid arthritis in thoracolumbar spine: a case report. We report a patient with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involving the thoracic and lumbar vertebra with a collapse of the T12 vertebra, who was treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty. In this case of a painful pathological fracture due to RA, percutaneous vertebroplasty was found to be helpful in eliminating the pain. The paper presents the histological evidence, the pathogenesis and treatment of the thoracolumbar lesions affected by RA with a review of the relevant literature. PMID: 20191050 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Korean Med Sci) Serum Pro-hepcidin Could Reflect Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. In conclusion, serum concentration of pro-hepcidin reflects the disease activity, regardless of the anemia states in RA patients, thus it may be another potential marker for disease activity of RA. PMID: 20191031 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Korean Med Sci)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Long-term follow-up of replacement compared with internal fixation for displaced femoral neck fractures: RESULTS AT TEN YEARS IN A RANDOMISED STUDY OF 450 PATIENTS. Authors: Leonardsson O, Sernbo I, Carlsson A, Akesson K, Rogmark C In a series of 450 patients over 70 years of age with displaced fractures of the femoral neck sustained between 1995 and 1997 treatment was randomised either to internal fixation or replacement. Depending on age and level of activity the latter was either a total hip replacement or a hemiarthroplasty. Patients who were confused or bed-ridden were excluded, as were those with rheumatoid arthritis. At ten years there were 99 failures (45.6%) after internal fixation compared with 17 (8.8%) after replacement. The rate of mortality was high at 75% at ten years, and was the same in both groups at all times. Patient-reported pain and function were similar in both groups at five and ten years. Those with successfully healed fra... Combination joint-preserving surgery for forefoot deformity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Authors: Niki H, Hirano T, Okada H, Beppu M Proximal osteotomies for forefoot deformity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis have hitherto not been described. We evaluated combination joint-preserving surgery involving three different proximal osteotomies for such deformities. A total of 30 patients (39 feet) with a mean age of 55.6 years (45 to 67) underwent combined first tarsometatarsal fusion and distal realignment, shortening oblique osteotomies of the bases of the second to fourth metatarsals and a fifth-ray osteotomy. The mean follow-up was 36 months (24 to 68). The mean foot function index scores for pain, disability and activity subscales were 18, 23, and 16 respectively. The mean Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot score improved significantly from 52.2 (41 to 68) to 89... Two-dimensional glenoid version measurements vary with coronal and sagittal scapular rotation. CONCLUSIONS: Any malalignment of >/=1 degrees of the scapula in the coronal or sagittal plane will create inaccuracies in measuring glenoid version. The plane of axial reconstruction should be aligned with the scapula when two-dimensional computed tomography images are used to measure glenoid version. These findings support the use of three-dimensional models to evaluate glenoid version. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When computed tomography scans are made to evaluate glenoid version, the plane of axial reconstruction must be taken into account. In contrast, glenoid version measured on three-dimensional models is independent of scapular position. PMID: 20194328 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume) Long-term results of radial head resection following isolated radial head fractures in patients younger than forty years old. CONCLUSIONS: Radial head resection in young patients with isolated fractures without instability yields long-term satisfactory results in >90% of cases. Osteoarthritic changes are uniformly present but typically are not associated with functional impairment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. PMID: 20194313 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume) Clinical Activity After 12 Weeks of Treatment with Nonbiologics in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis May Predict Articular Destruction 2 Years Later. CONCLUSION: In patients with early RA, ACR core set measures after 12 weeks of nonbiologic DMARD treatment may predict articular destruction 2 years later. Low response to treatment at 12 weeks and continuing high disease activity thereafter were found in patients with rapid radiological progression. These data can be used to determine the appropriateness of treatment at 12 weeks and aid the decision to introduce biologic DMARD. PMID: 20194455 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Associations Between Tumor Necrosis Factor-{alpha} (TNF-{alpha}) -308 and -238 G/A Polymorphisms and Shared Epitope Status and Responsiveness to TNF-{alpha} Blockers in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Metaanalysis Update. CONCLUSION: Metaanalysis of available data revealed an association between treatment response to infliximab and the TNF-alpha -238 A/G polymorphism, but no associations between treatment response and the TNF-alpha -308 A/G polymorphism or SE status. PMID: 20194454 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol) Similarities and Differences Between Primary and Secondary Sjogren's Syndrome. CONCLUSION: A higher frequency of oral symptoms and parotid enlargement and stronger B cell activity (autoantibody production and lymphocyte infiltration) were observed in pSS. Whether these results reflect a true difference between the 2 disease entities or derive from underlying variables remains uncertain. PMID: 20194453 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol) Multiplex Screening of 22 Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in 7 Toll-like Receptors: An Association Study in Rheumatoid Arthritis. CONCLUSION: Using a large inception cohort and strict statistical evaluation, we could not identify an association between functional TLR variants and RA phenotype and disease severity. This suggests the functional TLR variants do not play a major role in RA phenotype and disease severity. PMID: 20194452 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol) Effectiveness and Toxicity of Methotrexate in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Comparison of 2 Initial Dosing Regimens. CONCLUSION: Initial high-dose MTX was associated with an increased risk of at least one liver enzyme abnormality with no significant improvement in active joint count. This suggests that there is no apparent benefit, while the potential for liver toxicity is increased, when using higher doses of MTX at treatment inception in patients with JIA. PMID: 20194449 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol) Efficacy and Safety of Retreatment in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis with Previous Inadequate Response to Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors: Results from the SUNRISE Trial. CONCLUSION: Two courses of rituximab about 6 months apart resulted in improved and sustained efficacy at 1 year, compared with 1 course, with a similar safety profile. PMID: 20194448 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Comparison of the Construct Validity and Sensitivity to Change of the Visual Analog Scale and a Modified Rating Scale as Measures of Patient Global Assessment in Rheumatoid Arthritis. CONCLUSION: As measures of PGA, the VAS and Rating Scale had comparable construct validity, but differed in which aspects of arthritis activity influenced scores. VAS was more sensitive to change. PMID: 20194445 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol) Lower Healthy Eating Index-2005 dietary quality scores in older women with rheumatoid arthritis v. healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study examining the dietary quality in older women with and without RA using the HEI-2005. Living with RA was associated with significantly lower dietary quality. Since even small changes in dietary quality can translate into better nutritional status, future interventions should focus on increasing dietary quality in this high-risk group. PMID: 20188003 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Public Health Nutrition) Ethyl Acetate Fraction from Cudrania Tricuspidata Inhibits IL-1beta-Stimulated Osteoclast Differentiation through Downregulation of MAPKs, c-Fos and NFATc1. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that EACT may be involved in the inhibition of bone loss by preventing osteoclast formation and may be used to manage bone destruction in inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. PMID: 20195410 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine) Description of the efficacy and safety of three new biologics in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Authors: Storage SS, Agrawal H, Furst DE English articles on abatacept, golimumab, and tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis published between 2002 and 2009 were reviewed systematically. All randomized clinical trials, open-label extensions, meta-analyses, and reviews were examined. There were thirteen articles on abatacept, four on golimumab, and seven on tocilizumab. All three drugs were effective in methotrexate-naïve, methotrexate-incomplete responders, and tumor-necrosis-factor-failure rheumatoid arthritis patients. Of the three, only abatacept has been tested in a head-to-head trial with infliximab, in which it was found to be equivalent to infliximab. Golimumab resulted in a more modest improvement than the others in methotrexate-naïve patients, although no direct compar... Is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan Necessary to Diagnose Knee Arthritis? Regarding the article ?The Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanning and Its Influence on Management Decisions in Knee Surgery? by Galea et al., which was published in the May 2009 issue, the elephant in the middle of the room is whether the patients ever really needed magnetic resonance imaging to detect their arthritis. Patients in this study underwent the following radiographs: ?weight-bearing anteroposterior, lateral, and skyline.? With a standing-flexion posteroanterior view (Rosenberg, schuss), femorotibial arthritis would often have been detected without the need for magnetic resonance imaging. (Source: Arthroscopy)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div> Transtibial Versus Anteromedial Portal Drilling for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Cadaveric Study of Femoral Tunnel Length and Obliquity Conclusions: The anteromedial portal technique allows for slightly greater femoral tunnel obliquity compared with transtibial drilling. However, there is a substantially increased risk of critically short tunnels ( (Source: Arthroscopy) Triptolide Inhibits IL-12/IL-23 Expression in APCs via CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein {alpha} This study provides mechanistic insights into the immunomodulatory capacity of triptolide and has strong implications for its therapeutic applications in autoimmune diseases. PMID: 20194724 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Immunology) Is screening for hepatitis necessary in diagnostic evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis in South Korea? Authors: Kim DA, Kim TY PMID: 20197568 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Rheumatol) Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rationale for Mannose-binding Lectins? Authors: Nakken B, Szodoray P PMID: 20197564 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Rheumatol)

Your diet that helps rheumatoid arthritis Guide

Generic Viagra: Standing Strong With Viagra
By Suzanne Ann

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Low prevalence of anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies in a French scleroderma population Anti-RNA polymerase III scleroderma.
CONCLUSIONS: Anti-RNAP III was rarely detected in a French population of SSc patients. Their prevalence was even lower than the one observed in rheumatoid arthritis controls. Therefore local immunologic profiles should be established before deciding a change in clinical practice for SSc immune screening. PMID: 20206882 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: European Journal of Internal Medicine)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Free radical scavenging activity of
Rathod N R, Raghuveer I, Chitme H R, Chandra RIndian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2009 71(6):615-621Swarnabhasma , an Ayurvedic preparation containing Calotropis gigantea R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) is extensively used by Ayurvedic physicians for treatment of diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and nervous disorders. In the present study, we report the effect of chloroform extracts of Calotropis gigantea leaf and flower on free radical scavenging activity, and lipid profile in streptozotozin-induced diabetic rats. The lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were measured in liver homogenate and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid profile were measured in blood serum. Administration ...
No Survival Improvement in RA (CME/CE)
Despite decades of dramatic advances in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, survival has not improved for these patients, a Dutch study found. (Source: MedPage Today Geriatrics)
Revolutionary hip operation that's left patients crippled for life
It's supposed to be the cutting edge answer to arthritis. But as this shocking report reveals, hip resurfacing can wreak havoc with your body. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Comparison of hyaluronan effects among normal, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis cartilages stimulated with fibronectin fragment.
This study was aimed to compare the inhibitory effects of HA on nitric oxide (NO) production by COOH-terminal heparin-binding fibronectin fragment (HBFN-f) between normal and diseased cartilages. When articular cartilage explants from normal, OA, or RA joints were incubated with HBFN-f, the RA and OA cartilages produced higher levels of NO compared with normal cartilage. Pretreatment with 2700 kDa HA resulted in significant suppression of HBFN-f-stimulated NO production in OA and RA cartilages. While CD44 was up-regulated in OA and RA cartilages, anti-CD44 antibody reversed HA inhibition of HBFN-f action in those cartilages. The present results clearly demonstrated that HA blocked HBFN-f actions in OA and RA cartilages through interaction with CD44. HA, which targets CD44 highly expressed ...
Hyaluronan Inhibits Prostaglandin E(2) Production via CD44 in U937 Human Macrophages.
This study was aimed to investigate the inhibitory mechanism of HA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PGE(2) production in U937 human macrophages. Stimulation of U937 macrophages with LPS enhanced PGE(2) production in association with increased protein levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Pretreatment with HA of 2,700 kDa resulted in suppression of the LPS-mediated induction of COX-2, leading to a decrease in PGE(2) production. Likewise, the LPS-stimulated PGE(2) production was inhibited by the pretreatment with a specific COX2 inhibitor, NS-398, or a specific inhibitor of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, BAY11-7085. HA also decreased the degree of phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB enhanced by LPS. Fluorescence cytochemistry demonstrated that HA bound to CD44, the princi...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Evaluating the Role of Rheumatoid Factors for the Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Mouse Model with a Newly Established ELISA System.
Authors: Tanaka Y, Komori H, Mori S, Soga Y, Tsubaki T, Terada M, Miyazaki T, Fujino T, Nakamura S, Kanno H, Sawasaki T, Endo Y, Nose M Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) have been widely used to determine quantitatively autoantibodies. However, the processes for the purification and immobilization of antigens in conventional ELISA methods include multiple steps, which have hampered the application for screening of autoantibodies. Here, we have developed a novel ELISA system using the plates pre-coated with glutathione casein to capture recombinant proteins fused to N-terminal glutathione S-transferase (GST). The GST-fused proteins were synthesized with the wheat germ cell-free protein production system. Thus, the present system combined the GST-capture ELISA with the cell-free...
Arthritis: Side Effect-Free Treatment
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Electromagnetic pulses were found to significantly decrease pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)
Proapoptotic fibronectin fragment induces the degradation of ubiquitinated p53 via proteasomes in periodontal ligament cells
Conclusion: These data show that a proapoptotic fibronectin matrix induces ubiquitination and degradation of p53 in the proteasome as part of a novel mechanism of apoptosis associated with inflammatory diseases. (Source: Journal of Periodontal Research)
Developments in the Scientific and Clinical Understanding of Fibromyalgia
Research over the past decade has yielded significant progress in understanding fibromyalgia. Arthritis Research & Therapy (Source: Medscape Rheumatology Headlines)
56. The effect of pain on cognitive abilities of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
The aim was to examine the impact of the pain on the cognitive abilities in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Material and methods: we investigated 60 patients with RA and 30 healthy subjects. The intensity of pain was determined by VAS, cognitive abilities by the Wechsler memory scale, functional ability by HAQ questionnaire, and disease activity by DAS28 score. (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
57. Anxiety in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis
The aim was to identify the frequency and level of anxiety in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In 60 patients with RA, aged 49.87±7.56 yrs., we evaluated: disease activity by DAS28 score, functional ability by the HAQ, and anxiety by Spielberger test (state and trai anxiety). (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology)
Roche, Biogen stop arthritis drug program
Roche and Biogen Idec pulled the plug on a late-stage rheumatoid arthritis treatment program after a review panel found sometimes-fatal infections. (BIIB) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)
Roche, Biogen suspends arthritis drug after deaths
ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG and U.S. biotechnology company Biogen Idec are suspending experimental rheumatoid arthritis and lupus treatment ocrelizumab after deaths following its use, casting doubt over its future. (Source: Reuters: Health)
NicOx announces FDA Advisory Committee to discuss naproxcinod on May 12
Sophia Antipolis, France, March 8, 2010. -NicOx S.A. today announces that on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to hold a meeting of the Arthritis Drugs Advisory Committee and the Drug Safety and Risk... (Source: Drugs.com - New Drug Applications)
Roche, Biogen suspend arthritis drug after deaths
ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG and U.S. biotechnology company Biogen Idec are suspending rheumatoid arthritis and lupus treatment ocrelizumab after it caused deaths, casting doubt over the drug's future. (Source: Reuters: Health)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Roche Suspends Arthritis Drug Study After Deaths
From Associated Press (March 8, 2010)   BASEL, Switzerland -- Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche Group said Monday it has suspended a late-stage trial for a new rheumatoid arthritis and lupus drug after several patients died from... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)
Arthritis drug development halted
Development of a drug used to treat arthritis has been halted by Roche and Biogen. (Source: Pharmacy Europe)
Roche and Biogen Idec Decide to Suspend Ocrelizumab Treatment - Rheumatoid Arthritis Development Programme on Hold
Future of the Ocrelizumab RA clinical programme under evaluation Basel, Switzerland, March 8, 2010--Roche and Biogen Idec announced today their decision to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment of patients in the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)
Pain Relief For Osteoarthritis Provided By Electromagnetic Pulses
Electromagnetic pulses significantly decrease pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis of the knee, according to Henry Ford Hospital researchers... (Source: Pain / Anesthetics News From Medical News Today)
Pain Relief For Osteoarthritis Provided By Electromagnetic Pulses
Electromagnetic pulses significantly decrease pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis of the knee, according to Henry Ford Hospital researchers. In the double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study, 34 patients used a portable battery-operated device that emits a low-intensity pulsating electromagnetic frequency and experienced more than 40 percent pain relief on their first day. "Our results show pulsed electromagnetic fields caused a significant decrease in pain" says Fred Nelson, M.D... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Experimental Vaccine Protects Monkeys Against Chikungunya
Imagine a mosquito-borne virus that has already infected millions of people in recent outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia, the islands of the Indian Ocean, Africa and northern Italy. Although seldom fatal, it causes highly painful arthritis-like symptoms that can linger for months or even years. It's capable of adapting to spread through a mosquito species common in much of North America. And no vaccine or treatment exists to protect humans from its effects. The scenario may sound like something dreamed up as a training exercise by public health authorities, but the virus is all too real... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Experimental Vaccine Protects Monkeys Against Chikungunya
Imagine a mosquito-borne virus that has already infected millions of people in recent outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia, the islands of the Indian Ocean, Africa and northern Italy. Although seldom fatal, it causes highly painful arthritis-like symptoms that can linger for months or even years. It's capable of adapting to spread through a mosquito species common in much of North America... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)
Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee Pain
Title: Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee PainCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/6/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/8/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Chronic Pain General)
Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee Pain
Title: Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee PainCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/6/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/8/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Senior Health General)
Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee Pain
Title: Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee PainCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/6/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/8/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Roche And Biogen Idec Decide To Suspend Ocrelizumab Treatment - Rheumatoid Arthritis Development Programme On Hold
Roche and Biogen Idec announced recently their decision to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment of patients in the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) programme. (Source: Pharmaceutical Online News)
Roche and Biogen Idec decide to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment - Rheumatoid Arthritis development programme on hold
Roche and Biogen Idec announced today their decision to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment of patients in the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) programme. (Source: Roche Media News)
Roche and Biogen Idec decide to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment - Rheumatoid Arthritis development programme on hold
Roche and Biogen Idec announced today their decision to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment of patients in the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) programme. (Source: Roche Investor Update)
Circulating surfactant protein -D is low and correlates negatively with systemic inflammation in early, untreated rheumatoid arthritis
IntroductionSurfactant protein D (SP-D) is a collectin with immuno-regulatory functions, which may depend on oligomerization. Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties have been attributed to multimeric SP-D variants, while trimeric subunits per se have been suggested to enhance inflammation. Previously, we reported low circulating SP-D in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the present investigation aims to extend these data by serial SP-D serum measurements, studies on synovial fluid, SP-D size distribution and genotyping in patients with early RA. Methods: One-hundred-and-sixty DMARD naive RA patients with disease duration less than 6 months were studied prospectively for 4 years (CIMESTRA trial) including disease activity measures (C-reactive protein, joint counts and Health Ass...
Electromagnetic pulses may ease osteoarthritis pain
A battery-operated device that emits electromagnetic pulses could provide significant pain relief to people with osteoarthritis of the knee, scientists have claimed. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Feasibility and Outcomes of a Home-Based Exercise Program on Improving Balance and Gait Stability in Women With Lower-Limb Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study. - Williams SB, Brand CA, Hill KD, Hunt SB, Moran H.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and gait stability and balance outcomes of a 4-month individualized home exercise program for women with arthritis. DESIGN: Pre-post interventional study. SETTING: General community. PARTICIPANTS: Women (N=49) (volunt... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))
Studies Detail Possible Benefits Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids For Dogs With Arthritis
A series of studies published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) offers new insights into the possible benefits derived from feeding foods containing high omega-3 fatty acid concentrations to dogs with osteoarthritis. The results of the three studies, according to contributing author Dr. Kevin Hahn, director of research and chief medical officer at Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., show that the dogs that were fed the foods experienced less pain associated with the disease and greater mobility... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Studies Detail Possible Benefits Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids For Dogs With Arthritis
A series of studies published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) offers new insights into the possible benefits derived from feeding foods containing high omega-3 fatty acid concentrations to dogs with osteoarthritis. The results of the three studies, according to contributing author Dr... (Source: Veterinary News From Medical News Today)
Electromagnetic Pulses May Stem Arthritic Knee Pain
New device could improve life quality without side effects, expert says Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Knee Injuries and Disorders, Osteoarthritis (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)
UCB Rheumatoid Arthritis Family Scholarship Deadline
Applications are being accepted until March 19, 2010 for the UCB Rheumatoid Arthritis Family Scholarship. (Source: Disabled World)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Early Combination Therapy Best in RA (CME/CE)
Combination therapy with methotrexate and the tumor necrosis factor inhibitor etanercept (Enbrel) provided significantly greater clinical and radiographic benefits in early rheumatoid arthritis than treatment with methotrexate alone, an international double-blind study confirmed. (Source: MedPage Today Geriatrics)
We Must No Longer Ignore the Cruelty of Our Eating (Opinion)
(NaturalNews) The more forcefully we ignore something, the more power it has over us and the more strongly it influences us. Taking a clear look at the foods produced by modern methods and what we have been conditioned to accept, we find misery, cruelty and exploitation. Therefore, we avoid looking deeply at our food, if of animal origin, and continue floating in that big river in Egypt (the Nile). This practice of avoidance and denial, applied to eating, carries over automatically into our entire private and public life. We know, deep down, that we cannot look deeply anywhere. If we do, we will have to look deeply into the enormous suffering our food choices directly cause.So, we learn to stay shallow and to be willingly blind to the connections we see. Otherwise, our remorse and guilt wo...
Lack of association between paraoxonase-1 Q192R polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis in southeast Iran.
Authors: Hashemi M, Moazeni-Roodi AK, Fazaeli A, Sandoughi M, Bardestani GR, Kordi-Tamandani DM, Ghavami S Decreased paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. There are two polymorphisms in serum PON1; one differs in the amino acid at position 192 (Q192R) and the other one differs at position 55 (L55M). We looked for a possible association between Q192R polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis. The Q192R polymorphism in 88 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 78 healthy subjects was determined using tetra amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. We found no significant differences between rheumatoid arthritis patients and control subjects regarding PON1 Q19...
McCormick & Company Initiates Recall Due to Possible Health Risk from HVP Ingredient
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) is initiating a recall of products manufactured with HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein) supplied by Basic Food Flavors of Las Vegas, Nevada, because the ingredient has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. "Consumption of products containing Salmonella 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., infected aneurysms) endocarditis and arthriti...
Hydroxychloroquine for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus Linked to Retinopathy
In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), long-term hydroxychloroquine therapy increases the risk of retinopathy, according to a February 12th online publication in Arthritis Care & Research. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Ophthalmology Headlines)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Merck "could face 500 Vioxx claims"
US pharmaceutical giant Merck could be bracing itself for hundreds of lawsuits in Australia after a judge ruled its arthritis drug Vioxx doubled the risk of a heart attack. (Source: Pharmacy Europe)
Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of chikungunya fever: Lessons learned from the re-emerging epidemic
Mohan Alladi, Kiran D.H.N, Manohar I Chiranjeevi, Kumar D PrabathIndian Journal of Dermatology 2010 55(1):54-63Chikungunya fever, caused by &amp;quot;Chikungunya virus,&amp;quot; is an arbovirus disease transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes belonging to the genus &lt;i&gt;Aedes&lt;/i&gt;. Chikungunya fever epidemics have been reported from several countries around the world. The disease that was silent for nearly 32 years re-emerged in the October 2005 outbreak in India that is still ongoing. The incubation period ranges from 3 to 12 days. The onset is usually abrupt and the acute stage is characterized by sudden onset with high-grade fever, severe arthralgias, myalgias, and skin rash. Swollen tender joints and crippling arthritis are usua...
Mucocutaneous manifestations of Chikungunya fever
Bandyopadhyay Debabrata, Ghosh Sudip KumarIndian Journal of Dermatology 2010 55(1):64-67Chikungunya fever (CF) is an arboviral acute febrile illness transmitted by the bite of infected &lt;i&gt;Aedes&lt;/i&gt; mosquitoes. After a quiescence of more than three decades, CF has recently re-emerged as a major public health problem of global scale. CF is characterized by an acute onset of high fever associated with a severe disabling arthritis often accompanied by prominent mucocutaneous manifestations. The disease is usually self-limiting, but the joint symptoms and some of the cutaneous features may persist after the defervescence. A wide range of mucocutaneous changes has been described to occur in association with CF during the current epidemic. Besides a morbill...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Serologies in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients: A Pilot Study
Mucosal dysregulation may play a significant role in ankylosing spondylitis, according to this pilot study. Arthritis Research & Therapy (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Salmonella Scare Prompts Wide Product Recall
Title: Salmonella Scare Prompts Wide Product RecallCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/4/2010 8:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/5/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Certain Bone Drugs May Lower Breast Cancer Risk
Title: Certain Bone Drugs May Lower Breast Cancer RiskCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/5/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/5/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)
NICE Asks For More Data On New Drug For Rheumatoid Arthritis
NICE's independent appraisal committee has asked Roche, the manufacturer of tocilizumab (RoActemra), a new treatment for moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, for further additional information on its product. The committee is minded not to recommend the use of the drug but the additional information it has asked for today (4 March) could result in the final guidance being positive at specific stages of the treatment pathway. This draft guidance has been issued for consultation: NICE has not yet issued final guidance to the NHS... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
NICE Asks For More Data On New Drug For Rheumatoid Arthritis
NICE's independent appraisal committee has asked Roche, the manufacturer of tocilizumab (RoActemra), a new treatment for moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, for further additional information on its product... (Source: Arthritis News From Medical News Today)
Topical NSAID Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain
Conclusions. Topical NSAIDs may vary significantly in their absorption kinetics and pharmacodynamic effects, based on NSAID molecule and the formulation chosen. Some topical NSAID formulations have been shown to be more effective than placebo in multiple studies, or to have comparable efficacy and a better safety profile than oral NSAIDs for single joint osteoarthritis and acute muscle injuries. In acute and chronic low back pain, widespread musculoskeletal pain, and in peripheral neuropathic pain syndromes, the current evidence does not support the use of topical NSAIDs. (Source: Pain Medicine)
The Protective Effect of Bee Venom against Ethanol-Induced Hepatic Injury via Regulation of the Mitochondria-Related Apoptotic Pathway
In conclusion, bee venom treatment in ethanol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis occurred through the regulation of Bcl family with subsequent inactivation of the Caspase and PARP. These results suggest that bee venom could be an effective agent to reduce ethanol-induced hepatocyte apoptosis. (Source: Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
[Seminar] Bacterial septic arthritis in adults
Symptoms and signs of septic arthritis are an important medical emergency, with high morbidity and mortality. We review the changing epidemiology of septic arthritis of native joints in adults, encompassing the increasing frequency of the disorder and its evolving antibiotic resistance. We discuss various risk factors for development of septic arthritis and examine host factors (tumour necrosis factor ?, interleukins 1 and 10) and bacterial proteins, toxins, and enzymes reported to be important determinants of pathogenesis in mouse models. Diagnosis of disease is largely clinical, guided by investigations and the opinion of skilled clinicians. We emphasise the need for timely medical and surgical intervention?most importantly, through diagnostic aspiration of relevant joints, choice of ...
TRAF1/C5 polymorphism is not associated with increased mortality in rheumatoid arthritis; two large longitudinal studies
Conclusions: The TRAF1/C5 region is not associated with an increased mortality risk. (Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy)
Football 'good for bone health'
Adults who play football on a regular basis are likely to benefit from improved bone health, new research suggests. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)
NICE requests more information on rheumatoid arthritis drug tocilizumab
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has asked the manufacturer of a drug called tocilizumab (RoActemra) for more information on its efficacy before publishing its final guidance on the rheumatoid arthritis treatment. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)
NICE publishes draft guidance on rheumatoid arthritis drugs after initial anti-TNF use
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published preliminary recommendations on the management of rheumatoid arthritis after initial treatment with an anti-TNF drug has failed. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Fibrillary glomerulonephritis in rheumatoid arthritis
(Source: Nephrology)
Promotion of arthritis and allergy in mice by aminoglycoglycerophospholipid, a membrane antigen specific to Mycoplasma fermentans
Mycoplasmas, which lack a cell wall and are the smallest self-replicating bacteria, have been linked to some chronic diseases, such as AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and oncogenic transformation of cells. Their membrane components (lipoproteins and glycolipids) have been identified as possible causative factors in such diseases. Glycoglycerophospholipid (GGPL)-III, a unique phosphocholine-containing aminoglycoglycerophospholipid, is a major specific antigen of Mycoplasma fermentans, and has been detected in 38% of RA patients. Unlike those of lipoproteins, which induce inflammation via Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), the pathologic effects of GGPL-III are poorly understood. RA and metal allergies are chronic inflammatory diseases in which autoantigens have been implicated. Here, we examined...
Just Do It to Live!
Let's face it, fad-diets and anti- aging products may seem like the answer to all the noticeable, unwanted side effects of aging. The truth is, once a man hits 40, the risk of heart disease, cancer, strokes, and arthritis increases dramatically, and... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)
Lancet Seminar: Bacterial septic arthritis in adults
Source: Lancet Area: News The authors of this Seminar review the changing epidemiology of septic arthritis of native joints in adults, including the increasing frequency of the disorder and its evolving antibiotic resistance. They also discuss the various risk factors for the development of this condition and the importance of timely diagnosis and management. (Source: NeLM - News)
Exploring Tai Chi in rheumatoid arthritis: a quantitative and qualitative study
Conclusions: Improved muscle function in lower limbs was also reflected when patient experiences with Tai Chi were studied in depth in this explorative study. The combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods shows that Tai Chi has beneficial effects on health not related to disease activity and standardised health status assessment, and may contribute to an understanding of how Tai Chi exerts its effects.Trial registration: NCT00522054 (Source: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Pharmacists may help to fight osteoporosis
Pharmacists could play an important role in encouraging people to take care of their bone health, new research suggests. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)
Oral treatment with HE3286 ameliorates disease in rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: Auci DL, Mangano K, Destiche D, White SK, Huang Y, Boyle D, Frincke J, Reading CL, Nicoletti F HE3286 (17alpha-ethynyl-5-androstene-3beta, 7beta, 17beta-triol) is an orally bio-available synthetic derivative of naturally occurring androstene-3beta, 7beta, 17beta-triol. Our present data show that oral treatment with HE3286, favourably influenced the course of arthritis in the rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (reduced cumulative disease scores and paw edema), and in the mouse model of collagen antibody-induced arthritis (reduced clinical paw scores). Importantly, HE3286 was not immune suppressive in human mixed lymphocyte reaction or in animals challenged with Coxsackie B3 virus. HE3286 is currently in phase I/II clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative coli...
NICE Reassessment Of Switching Decision Brings Little Hope For Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) has expressed their frustration at NICE's provisional decision not to allow patients with rheumatoid arthritis to routinely switch from one Anti-TNF drug to another. This is the second time NICE has appraised the sequential effectiveness of multiple biologic therapies following NRAS's successful appeal of negative NICE guidance on switching in 2007. Over time, some patients find that whichever Anti-TNF they have been taking becomes less effective and have found benefit from being able to switch to another Anti-TNF... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
New 'Work Charter' Launched To Help 6.5m People With Musculoskeletal Conditions To Stay In Work, UK
Today the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA), backed by leading policymakers and employers, is calling for positive action to ensure people with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are properly supported to access employment and remain in their jobs... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
New 'Work Charter' Launched To Help 6.5m People With Musculoskeletal Conditions To Stay In Work, UK
Today the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA), backed by leading policymakers and employers, is calling for positive action to ensure people with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are properly supported to access employment and remain in their jobs... (Source: Bones / Orthopaedics News From Medical News Today)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
NICE Reassessment Of Switching Decision Brings Little Hope For Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) has expressed their frustration at NICE's provisional decision not to allow patients with rheumatoid arthritis to routinely switch from one Anti-TNF drug to another. This is the second time NICE has appraised the sequential effectiveness of multiple biologic therapies following NRAS's successful appeal of negative NICE guidance on switching in 2007... (Source: Arthritis News From Medical News Today)
NICE Consults On Draft Recommendations For Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis After Treatment With A TNF Inhibitor Has Failed
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising a number of drugs as possible treatments for rheumatoid arthritis after treatment with a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor has failed. This is a part review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 36, and a review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 126 and 141. NICE has put its initial draft guidance on the NICE website, and this is now open for public consultation... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
NICE Consults On Draft Recommendations For Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis After Treatment With A TNF Inhibitor Has Failed
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising a number of drugs as possible treatments for rheumatoid arthritis after treatment with a tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor has failed. This is a part review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 36, and a review of NICE technology appraisal guidance 126 and 141... (Source: Arthritis News From Medical News Today)
Arthritis drug 'too costly' for England (but not Scotland)
Thousands of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers in England could be condemned to a lifetime of pain after the drugs rationing body turned down a ‘last chance’ treatment available in Scotland. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
A case of emphysematous pyelonephritis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis taking corticosteroid and low-dose methotrexate
In this report, we describe a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis in a patient with RA associated with AA amyloidosis and steroid-induced diabetes mellitus who was taking corticosteroid and low-dose methotrexate. (Source: APLAR Journal of Rheumatology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Combination of etanercept and methotrexate 'effective' in early rheumatoid arthritis
Combination therapy with etanercept and methotrexate is an effective treatment for patients with early active rheumatoid arthritis, new trial data show. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)
Finemapping of the arthritis QTL Pia7 reveals co-localization with Oia2 and the APLEC locus
Authors: C Rintisch, T Kelkka, U Norin, J C Lorentzen, P Olofsson & R Holmdahl (Source: Genes and Immunity)
Moderators of the Negative Effects of Catastrophizing in Arthritis
Conclusions. Collectively, educational achievement and positive social interactions may protect against some of the deleterious effects of catastrophizing. The design of future interventions to reduce catastrophizing or ameliorate its impact on pain outcomes may benefit from further study of these subgroups of patients. (Source: Pain Medicine)
NICE issues third Appraisal Consultation Document on tocilizumab for rheumatoid arthritis
Source: NICE Area: News NICE has issued its third Appraisal Consultation Document on tocilizumab which contained the following preliminary recommendations:   Tocilizumab is not recommended for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in people whose disease has responded inadequately to:   . One or more previous DMARDs before, or as an alternative to, treatment with TNF blockers.   . One or more previous TNF blocker before, or as an alternative to, treatment with rituximab.   . Previous TNF blockers and who are intolerant to, or unsuitable for, treatment with rituximab.   The Committee recommends that NICE requests cost-effectiveness analyses from the manufacturer of tocilizumab for the scenarios involving ...
Influence of TNF blockers on cancer incidence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and prior malignancy
Source: Arthritis Care & Research Area: News No previous published studies have been able to address the question as to whether anti-TNF therapy influences the rate of malignancy in patients with prior malignancy. Using data from the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register (BSRBR), researchers conducted this study in an attempt to answer this question.   A total of 293 patients with a prior malignancy were identified from over 14,000 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the rates of incident malignancy were analysed in 177 anti-TNF treated patients and 117 patients with active RA treated with traditional DMARDs, all with prior malignancy.   The rates of incident malignancy were 25.3 events/ 1000 person years in the anti-TNF cohort and 38.3 / 1000 perso...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Activated Synovial Macrophages as Targets for Osteoarthritis Drug Therapy.
Authors: Bondeson J The great success of targeted biologic therapy against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in recent years has meant that much research has been devoted to investigating the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA) in the hope of defining novel therapeutic targets. In contrast to RA, with its pannus and erosions, OA has long been thought of as a degenerative disease of cartilage, with secondary bony damage and osteophytes. But in recent years, the importance of the synovium, and in particular the synovial macrophages, in OA, has been highlighted in both in vitro and in vivo studies. This review will discuss the potential of synovial macrophages and their mediators, in particular the proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1, as potential therapeut...
Smoking, Use of Moist Snuff and Risk of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases.
CONCLUSION: Smokeless tobacco does not increase the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases, suggesting that inhaled non-nicotinic components of cigarette smoke are more important than nicotine itself in the aetiology of these diseases. PMID: 20203245 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine)
Continuing Professional Development Is Associated With Increasing Physical Therapists' Roles in Arthritis Management in Canada and the Netherlands.
CONCLUSIONS:/b> This exploratory analysis highlights the association between participation in arthritis-related CPD courses and the roles assumed by physical therapists in OA and RA management. Further research is needed to understand the effects of CPD activities on other areas of physical therapist practice and on patients' outcomes. PMID: 20203095 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Physical Therapy)
Qualitative Research Ethics: Enhancing Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy.
CONCLUSIONS:/b> These findings build on previous research and discussion in physical therapy and other disciplines that urge a flexible approach to qualitative research ethics and recognize that ethics are embedded in an unfolding research process involving the role of the subjective researcher and an active participant. We suggest reflexivity as a way to recognize ethical moments throughout qualitative research and to help build methodological and ethical rigor in research relevant to physical therapist practice. PMID: 20203093 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Physical Therapy)
Effects of a 6-Week, Individualized, Supervised Exercise Program for People With Bleeding Disorders and Hemophilic Arthritis.
CONCLUSIONS:/b> A professionally designed and supervised, individualized exercise program is feasible, safe, and beneficial for people with bleeding disorders, even in the presence of concomitant disease. A longitudinal study with a larger sample size, a blinded examiner, and a control group is needed to confirm the results. PMID: 20203091 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Physical Therapy)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
The Relationship Between Mental and Physical Health
People with depression often have worse physical health, as well as worse self-perceived health, than those without depression. Depression and other physical health conditions have separate but additive effects on well-being. For example, the combination of heart disease and depression can cause twice the reduction in social interaction than either condition alone. Patients with both depression and physical health problems are at particular risk: The physical problem can complicate depression’s assessment and treatment by masking or mimicking its symptoms. It can work the other way as well. People with any chronic physical disease tend to feel more psychological distress than do healthy people. Poor physical health brings an increased risk of depression, as do the social and relati...
Capacity planning in rheumatology day units
A comparison of the administration regimens for two rheumatoid arthritis drugs across three hospital day units has highlighted an opportunity for substantial time savings for healthcare providers and patients. (Source: HSJ)
Tim's Cascade Snacks Recalls 'Hawaiian® Kettle Style Potato Chips - Sweet Maui Onion' and 'Hawaiian- Sweet Maui Onion Rings' Because of Possible Health Risk
Out of regard and concern for our consumers, Tim?s Cascade Snacks of Algona, Washington is recalling ?HAWAIIAN® Kettle Style Potato Chips - SWEET MAUI ONION? AND ?HAWAIIAN - SWEET MAUI ONION RINGS? because they have 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., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. (Source: Foo...
Rheumatologists Have Plenty Of Choice Among Biologic Agents For RA - Where Will Actemra Find Its Niche?
BioTrends Research Group released topline findings from LaunchTrends®: ACTEMRA, Wave 1, highlighting the market uptake of the product at one month post launch. Actemra (tocilizumab), marketed by Roche-Genentech, is a new IL-6 inhibitor with monthly dosing by IV infusion. The study results are based on an on-line survey completed by 77 rheumatologists in late February... (Source: Arthritis News From Medical News Today)
Rheumatologists Have Plenty Of Choice Among Biologic Agents For RA - Where Will Actemra Find Its Niche?
BioTrends Research Group released topline findings from LaunchTrends®: ACTEMRA, Wave 1, highlighting the market uptake of the product at one month post launch. Actemra (tocilizumab), marketed by Roche-Genentech, is a new IL-6 inhibitor with monthly dosing by IV infusion. The study results are based on an on-line survey completed by 77 rheumatologists in late February... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
RCN joins call for positive action for those with musculoskeletal disorders
The Royal College of Nursing is joining with other members of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) to call for positive action to ensure people with musculoskeletal disorders are properly supported to access employment and remain in their jobs. (Source: Royal College of Nursing - UK- National News)
Anti-arthritic Action Mechanisms of Natural Chondroitin Sulfate in Human Articular Chondrocytes and Synovial Fibroblasts.
Authors: Imada K, Oka H, Kawasaki D, Miura N, Sato T, Ito A To clarify the exact anti-arthritic action mechanisms of chondroitin sulfate (CS), we evaluated the effects of CS derived from shark cartilage (CS-SC) composed mainly of chondroitin-6-sulfate and porcine trachea cartilage (CS-PC) composed mostly of chondrotin-4-sulfate on the functions of human articular chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts. Both CS-SC and CS-PC (from 1 to 100 mug/ml) effectively suppressed the interleukin (IL)-1beta (10 ng/ml)-enhanced gene expression of aggrecanase-1/a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin-like motifs (ADAMTS)-4 and aggrecanase-2/ADAMTS-5 in articular chondrocytes embedded in alginate beads and synovial fibroblasts. In addition, CS-SC and CS-PC overcame the IL-1beta-mediated...
Does Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Symptoms?
Title: Does Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Symptoms?Category: Doctor's ViewsCreated: 3/3/2010 1:48:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/3/2010 1:48:43 PM (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)
More workplace help' needed for people with musculoskeletal disorders
Campaign groups, policymakers and employers have called for people with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) to receive more support to help them stay at work. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)
Study finds fat types have different effects on bone health
A new study has found that the bone health of obese teenage girls may depend on the type of fat they carry. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
NICE issues preliminary recommendations (ACD) on drugs for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after failure of a TNF inhibitor
Source: NICE Area: News NICE has been asked to produce guidance on using adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, rituximab and abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis after the failure of a TNF inhibitor in the NHS in England and Wales. The Appraisal Committee has issued an Appraisal Consultation Document (ACD), which includes the following preliminary recommendations:   1.1 Rituximab in combination with methotrexate is recommended as an option for the treatment of adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis: . that has responded inadequately to other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including treatment with at least one tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor, or . who are intolerant of other DMARDs.   1.2 Treatment with rituximab in ...
Arthritis Prevalence Is Higher in U.S. Than in Canada
Arthritis is significantly more prevalent in the United States than in Canada, especially in American women, according to a study published in the March issue of Arthritis Care & Research. Authors of the study postulate increase may be due to higher rates of obesity and physical inactivity. (Source: Modern Medicine)
Autoantibodies in Autoimmune Diseases.
Authors: Eggert M, Zettl UK, Neeck G The occurrence of autoantibodies is a common feature of autoimmune diseases. This review is intended to give an overview of the most important autoantibodies and their role in diagnosis, disease activity and prognosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematodes (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Whereas in RA and SLE these antibodies are meaningful for diagnosis and partially for the prognosis of the disease, the situation is quite different in the case of MS. Up to date, no specific antibody is known to be exclusively present in the serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS-patients compared to the respective fluids of healthy individuals. Nevertheless, there are some antigens that are reported to be bound significantly more often by ...
Cutting Edge: Mast Cells Express IL-17A in Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovium.
Authors: Hueber AJ, Asquith DL, Miller AM, Reilly J, Kerr S, Leipe J, Melendez AJ, McInnes IB The proinflammatory cytokine IL-17A is considered a crucial player in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. In experimental models of autoimmune arthritis, it has been suggested that the cellular source of IL-17A is CD4(+) T cells (Th17 cells). However, little is known about the source of IL-17 in human inflamed RA tissue. We explored the cellular sources of IL-17A in human RA synovium. Surprisingly, only a small proportion of IL-17-expressing cells were T cells, and these were CCR6 negative. Unexpectedly, the majority of IL-17A expression colocalized within mast cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated in vitro that mast cells produced RORC-dependent IL-17A upon stimulation with TNF-alpha, IgG c...
Primary Care Doctors Ordering Unnecessary Scans
Title: Primary Care Doctors Ordering Unnecessary ScansCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/1/2010 4:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/2/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Tuesday 2 March
Back-pain help for workers: Employers need to do more to help people with back and joint pain stay in work, according to experts. The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance called for a range of measures and rights to tackle the issue, which costs society an estimated £7bn a year. The alliance, an umbrella group representing 34 charities and health bodies including the National Osteoporosis Society, Royal College of Nursing and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, believes more should be done to help those already suffering ill-health. (Source: Royal College of Nursing News Alert)
The loss of health status in rheumatoid arthritis and the effect of biologic therapy: a longitudinal observational study
Conclusions: Biologic therapy retards RA progression, but its effect is far less than is seen in clinical trials. In the community, cost-effectiveness is substantially less than that estimated from clinical trial data. The study results represent the incremental benefit of adding biologic therapy to optimum non-biologic therapy. (Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy)
Anabolic and catabolic responses of human articular chondrocytes to varying oxygen percentages
Conclusions: The application of more physiologic oxygen percentage during specific phases of differentiation culture enhanced the biosynthetic activity and reduced the activity of catabolic enzymes implicated in cartilage breakdown. Modulation of the oxygen percentage during HAC culture may be used to study pathophysiological events occurring in osteoarthritis and to enhance properties of in vitro engineered cartilaginous tissues. (Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy)
Distribution of candidate genes for experimentally induced arthritis in rats
Conclusions: From the genome wide CGC search, we conclude that candidate genes for arthritis in rat are randomly distributed between QTL and non-QTL regions. We do however find certain pairs of QTLs that share a large number of functionally connected candidate genes, suggesting that these QTLs contain a number of genes involved in similar functions contributing to the arthritis phenotype. (Source: BMC Genomics - Latest articles)
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator and arthritis progression: role in systemic disease with immune complex involvement
Conclusions: u-PA is required for the full development of systemic arthritis models involving immune complex formation and deposition. The cellular source of u-PA required for CIA is bone marrow-derived and likely to be of myeloid origin. For immune complex-mediated peritonitis, and perhaps some other inflammatory responses, it is suggested that the u-PA involvement may be upstream of C5a signaling. (Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Diagnostic value of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides and association with HLA-DRB1 shared epitope alleles in African rheumatoid arthritis patients
Conclusions: Anti-CCP2 antibodies are useful markers of RA in African patients. In this cohort, the prevalence of the SE is higher in RA patients than in controls but lower than that reported in patients cohorts of European ancestry. The discrepancy between the high prevalence of ACPA-positive patients and the relatively low number of SE-positive cases suggest that, in addition to SE, other genetic factors control the development of ACPA in African RA patients. (Source: Arthritis Research and Therapy)
Cost-effectiveness of biologics in early rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: Boers M PMID: 20194247 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine)
Cost-effectiveness of biologics in early rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: Finckh A, Bansback N, Liang MH PMID: 20194244 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine)
Pharmacology of glucocorticoids in rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: Spies CM, Bijlsma JW, Burmester GR, Buttgereit F Glucocorticoids (GCs) provide one of the most effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, their long-term use is marred by undesired side effects. Increased understanding of the mechanisms of glucocorticoid action enables the development of novel drugs, such as SEGRAs or liposomal glucococorticoids, trying to improve their benefit/risk ratio. But also trying to optimise the use of conventional glucocorticoids is a sensible approach. One example is a new modified release prednisone tablet formulation that has been recently shown to be clinically and significantly better than the conventional immediate-release preparation with respect to reducing morning stiffness of the joints. The 'old spear' can also be sharpen...
Long-Term Results of Radial Head Resection Following Isolated Radial Head Fractures in Patients Younger Than Forty Years Old
Conclusions: Radial head resection in young patients with isolated fractures without instability yields long-term satisfactory results in >90% of cases. Osteoarthritic changes are uniformly present but typically are not associated with functional impairment. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. (Source: JBJS [Am])<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Two-Dimensional Glenoid Version Measurements Vary with Coronal and Sagittal Scapular Rotation
Conclusions: Any malalignment of ≥1° of the scapula in the coronal or sagittal plane will create inaccuracies in measuring glenoid version. The plane of axial reconstruction should be aligned with the scapula when two-dimensional computed tomography images are used to measure glenoid version. These findings support the use of three-dimensional models to evaluate glenoid version. Clinical Relevance: When computed tomography scans are made to evaluate glenoid version, the plane of axial reconstruction must be taken into account. In contrast, glenoid version measured on three-dimensional models is independent of scapular position. (Source: JBJS [Am])
Modifications in tissue kallikrein activity with indomethacin and prednisolone treatment in arthritic rats
Abstract  This investigation was conducted to evaluate the tissue kallikrein activity in the synovial and paw tissues of control, non-treated adjuvant arthritic and adjuvant arthritic rats treated either with indomethacin or prednisolone. Adjuvant arthritis was induced in male Sprague?Dawley rats in the right knee by injecting 0.05 ml of a fine suspension of heat-killed Mycobacterium tubercle bacilli in liquid paraffin (5 mg/ml). Indomethacin (2.5 mg/kg given orally) and prednisolone (3.0 mg/kg given orally) treatment for 9 days caused a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in knee swelling. In non-treated adjuvant rats, synovial tissue kallikrein levels were raised (P < 0.01) than the synovial tissue kallikrein obtained from c...
Increased Extracellular Survivin in the Synovial Fluid of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes as a Potential Source of Extracellular Survivin
In this study, we assessed the expression of survivin in rheumatoid synovial fluids (SF) and synovial tissues (ST) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in order to investigate the role of extracellular survivin in the pathogenesis of RA. The survivin level from SF was significantly higher in RA patients (n?=?38) than in osteoarthritis patients (n?=?18; 10.68?±?2.76 vs. 1.0?±?0.56 pg/ml, p?=?0.02). In addition, SF survivin level was higher in erosive RA patients (n?=?23) than in non-erosive RA patients (n?=?15; 15.26?±?4.26 vs. 4.47?±?1.12 pg/ml, p?=?0.05). SF survivin level in RA was positively correlated with disease activity score 28, but did not reach statistical significance (r?=?0.309, p?=?0.07). RA SF survivin level wa...
Coexistence between meningioma and tuberculosis: case report
Abstracts  Intracranial tuberculoma generally presents as either solitary or multiple lesions in the brain parenchyma. These are characterized by a ring-enhancing area on either computerized tomography scans or magnetic resonance images. A 66 year-old female with a history of breast carcinoma at 41 years, treated with radical mastectomy and radio and chemotherapy, and rheumatoid arthritis, treated in the last 10 years, presented two months ago with occipital headache, nausea, cerebellar syndrome, alterations of speech, and memory loss. The TC scan showed occipital enhancement by contrast and surrounded by oedema, suggesting metastasis. Histology showed a benign meningioma with many multinuclear giant cells, granulomas, and central caseating necrosis....
Aspects of TNF inhibitor therapy in rheumatoid arthritis
This article addresses some of these aspects of treating RA, reviewing the studies on these two newer TNF inhibitors, certolizumab pegol and golimumab, and those addressing the induction of remission or low disease activity with TNF inhibitors and maintenance with less intensive treatment. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Review ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10165-010-0277-7Authors Jackie Nam, Chapel Allerton Hospital Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease Chapeltown Road Leeds LS7 4SA UKPaul Emery, Chapel Allerton Hospital Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease Chapeltown Road Leeds LS7 4SA UK Journal Modern RheumatologyOnline ISSN 1439-7609Print ISSN 1439-7595 (Source: Modern Rheumatology)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis among Nigerians: a case study
The objective of this study was to determine the clinical, laboratory, and radiographic features of patients with JIA, as well as to highlight their management. A total of 23 cases (F-16:M-7) were seen over an 8.5-year period. Polyarticular presentation was the commonest while systemic onset was the least. The mean age at presentation was 12.7 years. Most of the patients presented late with mean of 3.7 years before presentation. The knees and ankles were most commonly involved. ESR was elevated in most of the cases. Rheumatoid factor and Antinuclear antibodies were invariably negative. Treatments were with standard drugs. Although JIA is uncommonly seen in our population, the clinical and laboratory features are similar as elsewhere, though there are some differences. ...
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum secondary to refractory dermatomyositis successfully treated with rituximab
Abstract  Spontaneous pneumomediastinum has been described in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (Korkmaz et al., Rheumatology 40:476?478, 2001; Maruoka et al., Mod Rheumatol 16:55?57, 2006; Kono et al., Ann Rheum Dis 59:372?376, 2000; Neves et al., Clin Rheumatol 26:105?107, 2007). Literature reviews suggest that this complication has a mortality of between 27% and 41% ( Kono et al., Ann Rheum Dis 59:372?376, 2000; Neves et al., Clin Rheumatol 26:105?107, 2007; Goff et al., Arthritis Rheum 61:108?118, 2009). This is the first report of rituximab being used successfully as part of the treatment for DM complicated by pneumomediastinum. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportDOI 10.1007/s10067-010-1399-1Authors Martin A. Lee, Royal D...
Backlash from Singh libel case puts chiropractors on ropes
One in four chiropractors in Britain are under investigation as a result of campaign by Singh supporters, reveals Martin RobbinsAs the British Chiropractic Association's battle with Simon Singh continues to work its way through the legal system, chiropractors are counting the fincancial costs of a major backlash resulting from a libel action that has left the Lord Chief Justice "baffled". What was originally a dispute between the BCA and one science writer over free speech has become a brutally effective campaign to reform an entire industry.A staggering one in four chiropractors in Britain are now under investigation for allegedly making misleading misleading claims in advertisements, according to figures revealed by the General Chiropractic Council.The council, which is responsible for r...
Chiropractors on the ropes
One in four chiropractors in Britain are under investigation as a result of campaign by Singh supporters, reveals Martin RobbinsAs the British Chiropractic Association's battle with Simon Singh continues to work its way through the legal system, chiropractors are counting the financial costs of a major backlash resulting from a libel action that has left the Lord Chief Justice "baffled". What was originally a dispute between the BCA and one science writer over free speech has become a brutally effective campaign to reform an entire industry.A staggering one in four chiropractors in Britain are now under investigation for allegedly making misleading claims in advertisements, according to figures from the General Chiropractic Council.The council, which is responsible for regulating the profe...
Why pharmaceuticals might be called Weapons of Mass Prescription
(NaturalNews) Most people are familiar with traditional weapons of mass destruction such biological weapons, nuclear weapons and chemical weapons. The point of all such weapons of mass destruction is to inflict a large number of casualties on civilian populations as a way to cripple a nation into political or military submission.When it comes to actually deploying weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) against civilian populations, no country has murdered more innocent civilians than the United States of America through its bombing of two Japanese cities during World War II. (This isn't rhetoric, it's an historical fact.)Atomic bombs were very visible WMDs deployed in World War II as a way to force the empire of Japan to surrender to western forces. Since that time, full-scale nuclear weapons ...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Pharmaceuticals are Weapons of Mass Prescription (comic)
(NaturalNews) Most people are familiar with traditional weapons of mass destruction such biological weapons, nuclear weapons and chemical weapons. The point of all such weapons of mass destruction is to inflict a large number of casualties on civilian populations as a way to cripple a nation into political or military submission.When it comes to actually deploying weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) against civilian populations, no country has murdered more innocent civilians than the United States of America through its bombing of two Japanese cities during World War II. (This isn't rhetoric, it's an historical fact.)Atomic bombs were very visible WMDs deployed in World War II as a way to force the empire of Japan to surrender to western forces. Since that time, full-scale nuclear weapons ...
Liver Biopsy
Title: Liver BiopsyCategory: Procedures and TestsCreated: 12/31/1997Last Editorial Review: 3/1/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)
Sprains and Strains
Title: Sprains and StrainsCategory: Diseases and ConditionsCreated: 3/5/2003Last Editorial Review: 3/1/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)
New Clues to Lupus' Link With Heart Disease
Title: New Clues to Lupus' Link With Heart DiseaseCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/26/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/1/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)
New Treatment Eyed for Deadly Pancreatic Cancer
Title: New Treatment Eyed for Deadly Pancreatic CancerCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/26/2010 6:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/1/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Health Tip: Who's a Good Candidate for LASIK?
Title: Health Tip: Who's a Good Candidate for LASIK?Category: Health NewsCreated: 3/1/2010 10:10:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 3/1/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Arthritis General)
The Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, a longitudinal cohort study on health disparities in Puerto Rican adults: challenges and opportunities.
Conclusions: The enrollment of minority groups presents unique challenges. This report highlights approaches to working with difficult to reach populations, and describe some of the health issues and needs of Puerto Rican older adults. These results may inform future studies and interventions aiming to improve the health of this and similar communities. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)
Etanercept plus methotrexate compared to methotrexate alone in early rheumatoid arthritis
Source: Arthr Rheum Area: News According to the results from the second year of the COMET trial, early use of the combination of etanercept and methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) appears to be superior to methotrexate monotherapy in terms of both clinical and radiographical outcomes.   The COMET trial randomised 542 patients with early moderate-to-severe RA who were methotrexate-naïve to methotrexate (MTX; 7.5-20mg/week; n=268) or MTX (same dose) plus etanercept (50mg/week; n=274).  Initial results from the COMET trial, published in the Lancet in 2008, showed that a higher proportion of the combination treatment group achieved clinical remission and radiographical non-progression at 52 weeks (these were the co-primary endpoints; see NeLM news summary at the link belo...
Follow-up data for abatacept in children indicate medium-term safety and efficacy
This report summarises the efficacy in those who completed 21 months or more abatacept, and safety date from all treated subjects. Efficacy was measured ... (Source: NeLM - News)
Non-length dependent small fiber neuropathy. A prospective case series
We report the features of non-length dependent small fiber neuropathy (SFN) and compare them to those with distal length-dependent SFN. In a series of 224 consecutive neuropathy patients, we evaluated 44 patients with SFN diagnosed in the presence of both symptoms and signs. Eleven were classified as non-length dependent SFN. Disease associations were Sjögren's syndrome (two patients), impaired glucose tolerance, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C virus, Crohn's disease, and idiopathic (five patients). In the 33 patients with distal SFN, the age of onset was significantly older and more had impaired glucose metabolism (16/33). In both groups, pain was mainly characterized as burning, but patients with non-length dependent SFN more often reported an "itchy" quality and allodynia to light to...<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Group talking therapy 'may ease back pain'
Group therapy sessions could be an effective and inexpensive way of treating low back pain, new research suggests. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)
Homeopathy 'unlikely to treat rheumatoid arthritis'
New research suggests that people with rheumatoid arthritis may benefit from attending homeopathy consultations, but that any improvements in their symptoms are likely to be down to the consultations themselves and not the actual treatment. (Source: Arthritis Research Campaign)
A Cost-Utility Analysis of Nonsurgical Management, Total Wrist Arthroplasty, and Total Wrist Arthrodesis in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Conclusions: In the absence of rigorous outcome data, cost-utility analysis is a useful tool to guide treatment decisions. Total wrist arthroplasty and total wrist arthrodesis are both extremely cost-effective procedures. This study incorporated patient and physician utilities to demonstrate that total wrist arthroplasty has only a small incremental cost over the traditional total wrist arthrodesis procedure. Based on this economic model, total wrist arthroplasty may be worthy of further consideration, and cost should not be considered prohibitive.Type of study/level of evidence: Decision Analysis II. (Source: The Journal of Hand Surgery)
Multiple vertebral involvement of rheumatoid arthritis in thoracolumbar spine: a case report.
We report a patient with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involving the thoracic and lumbar vertebra with a collapse of the T12 vertebra, who was treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty. In this case of a painful pathological fracture due to RA, percutaneous vertebroplasty was found to be helpful in eliminating the pain. The paper presents the histological evidence, the pathogenesis and treatment of the thoracolumbar lesions affected by RA with a review of the relevant literature. PMID: 20191050 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Korean Med Sci)
Serum Pro-hepcidin Could Reflect Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
In conclusion, serum concentration of pro-hepcidin reflects the disease activity, regardless of the anemia states in RA patients, thus it may be another potential marker for disease activity of RA. PMID: 20191031 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Korean Med Sci)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Long-term follow-up of replacement compared with internal fixation for displaced femoral neck fractures: RESULTS AT TEN YEARS IN A RANDOMISED STUDY OF 450 PATIENTS.
Authors: Leonardsson O, Sernbo I, Carlsson A, Akesson K, Rogmark C In a series of 450 patients over 70 years of age with displaced fractures of the femoral neck sustained between 1995 and 1997 treatment was randomised either to internal fixation or replacement. Depending on age and level of activity the latter was either a total hip replacement or a hemiarthroplasty. Patients who were confused or bed-ridden were excluded, as were those with rheumatoid arthritis. At ten years there were 99 failures (45.6%) after internal fixation compared with 17 (8.8%) after replacement. The rate of mortality was high at 75% at ten years, and was the same in both groups at all times. Patient-reported pain and function were similar in both groups at five and ten years. Those with successfully healed fra...
Combination joint-preserving surgery for forefoot deformity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: Niki H, Hirano T, Okada H, Beppu M Proximal osteotomies for forefoot deformity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis have hitherto not been described. We evaluated combination joint-preserving surgery involving three different proximal osteotomies for such deformities. A total of 30 patients (39 feet) with a mean age of 55.6 years (45 to 67) underwent combined first tarsometatarsal fusion and distal realignment, shortening oblique osteotomies of the bases of the second to fourth metatarsals and a fifth-ray osteotomy. The mean follow-up was 36 months (24 to 68). The mean foot function index scores for pain, disability and activity subscales were 18, 23, and 16 respectively. The mean Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot score improved significantly from 52.2 (41 to 68) to 89...
Two-dimensional glenoid version measurements vary with coronal and sagittal scapular rotation.
CONCLUSIONS: Any malalignment of >/=1 degrees of the scapula in the coronal or sagittal plane will create inaccuracies in measuring glenoid version. The plane of axial reconstruction should be aligned with the scapula when two-dimensional computed tomography images are used to measure glenoid version. These findings support the use of three-dimensional models to evaluate glenoid version. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When computed tomography scans are made to evaluate glenoid version, the plane of axial reconstruction must be taken into account. In contrast, glenoid version measured on three-dimensional models is independent of scapular position. PMID: 20194328 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume)
Long-term results of radial head resection following isolated radial head fractures in patients younger than forty years old.
CONCLUSIONS: Radial head resection in young patients with isolated fractures without instability yields long-term satisfactory results in >90% of cases. Osteoarthritic changes are uniformly present but typically are not associated with functional impairment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. PMID: 20194313 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American volume)
Clinical Activity After 12 Weeks of Treatment with Nonbiologics in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis May Predict Articular Destruction 2 Years Later.
CONCLUSION: In patients with early RA, ACR core set measures after 12 weeks of nonbiologic DMARD treatment may predict articular destruction 2 years later. Low response to treatment at 12 weeks and continuing high disease activity thereafter were found in patients with rapid radiological progression. These data can be used to determine the appropriateness of treatment at 12 weeks and aid the decision to introduce biologic DMARD. PMID: 20194455 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Associations Between Tumor Necrosis Factor-{alpha} (TNF-{alpha}) -308 and -238 G/A Polymorphisms and Shared Epitope Status and Responsiveness to TNF-{alpha} Blockers in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Metaanalysis Update.
CONCLUSION: Metaanalysis of available data revealed an association between treatment response to infliximab and the TNF-alpha -238 A/G polymorphism, but no associations between treatment response and the TNF-alpha -308 A/G polymorphism or SE status. PMID: 20194454 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol)
Similarities and Differences Between Primary and Secondary Sjogren's Syndrome.
CONCLUSION: A higher frequency of oral symptoms and parotid enlargement and stronger B cell activity (autoantibody production and lymphocyte infiltration) were observed in pSS. Whether these results reflect a true difference between the 2 disease entities or derive from underlying variables remains uncertain. PMID: 20194453 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol)
Multiplex Screening of 22 Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in 7 Toll-like Receptors: An Association Study in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
CONCLUSION: Using a large inception cohort and strict statistical evaluation, we could not identify an association between functional TLR variants and RA phenotype and disease severity. This suggests the functional TLR variants do not play a major role in RA phenotype and disease severity. PMID: 20194452 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol)
Effectiveness and Toxicity of Methotrexate in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Comparison of 2 Initial Dosing Regimens.
CONCLUSION: Initial high-dose MTX was associated with an increased risk of at least one liver enzyme abnormality with no significant improvement in active joint count. This suggests that there is no apparent benefit, while the potential for liver toxicity is increased, when using higher doses of MTX at treatment inception in patients with JIA. PMID: 20194449 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol)
Efficacy and Safety of Retreatment in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis with Previous Inadequate Response to Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors: Results from the SUNRISE Trial.
CONCLUSION: Two courses of rituximab about 6 months apart resulted in improved and sustained efficacy at 1 year, compared with 1 course, with a similar safety profile. PMID: 20194448 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Comparison of the Construct Validity and Sensitivity to Change of the Visual Analog Scale and a Modified Rating Scale as Measures of Patient Global Assessment in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
CONCLUSION: As measures of PGA, the VAS and Rating Scale had comparable construct validity, but differed in which aspects of arthritis activity influenced scores. VAS was more sensitive to change. PMID: 20194445 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: J Rheumatol)
Lower Healthy Eating Index-2005 dietary quality scores in older women with rheumatoid arthritis v. healthy controls.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study examining the dietary quality in older women with and without RA using the HEI-2005. Living with RA was associated with significantly lower dietary quality. Since even small changes in dietary quality can translate into better nutritional status, future interventions should focus on increasing dietary quality in this high-risk group. PMID: 20188003 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Public Health Nutrition)
Ethyl Acetate Fraction from Cudrania Tricuspidata Inhibits IL-1beta-Stimulated Osteoclast Differentiation through Downregulation of MAPKs, c-Fos and NFATc1.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that EACT may be involved in the inhibition of bone loss by preventing osteoclast formation and may be used to manage bone destruction in inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. PMID: 20195410 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine)
Description of the efficacy and safety of three new biologics in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Authors: Storage SS, Agrawal H, Furst DE English articles on abatacept, golimumab, and tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis published between 2002 and 2009 were reviewed systematically. All randomized clinical trials, open-label extensions, meta-analyses, and reviews were examined. There were thirteen articles on abatacept, four on golimumab, and seven on tocilizumab. All three drugs were effective in methotrexate-naïve, methotrexate-incomplete responders, and tumor-necrosis-factor-failure rheumatoid arthritis patients. Of the three, only abatacept has been tested in a head-to-head trial with infliximab, in which it was found to be equivalent to infliximab. Golimumab resulted in a more modest improvement than the others in methotrexate-naïve patients, although no direct compar...
Is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan Necessary to Diagnose Knee Arthritis?
Regarding the article ?The Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanning and Its Influence on Management Decisions in Knee Surgery? by Galea et al., which was published in the May 2009 issue, the elephant in the middle of the room is whether the patients ever really needed magnetic resonance imaging to detect their arthritis. Patients in this study underwent the following radiographs: ?weight-bearing anteroposterior, lateral, and skyline.? With a standing-flexion posteroanterior view (Rosenberg, schuss), femorotibial arthritis would often have been detected without the need for magnetic resonance imaging. (Source: Arthroscopy)<div id="medworm"><p><b><i>MedWorm Message:</i></b> Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm <b><a href="http://www.medworm.com/rss/search.php?qu=%2Bswine+%2B%28influenza+flu%29&t=Swine+Flu&f=infectiousdiseases&r=Any&o=d" target ="_self">Swine Flu RSS news feed</a></b> - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.</p></div>
Transtibial Versus Anteromedial Portal Drilling for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Cadaveric Study of Femoral Tunnel Length and Obliquity
Conclusions: The anteromedial portal technique allows for slightly greater femoral tunnel obliquity compared with transtibial drilling. However, there is a substantially increased risk of critically short tunnels ( (Source: Arthroscopy)
Triptolide Inhibits IL-12/IL-23 Expression in APCs via CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein {alpha}
This study provides mechanistic insights into the immunomodulatory capacity of triptolide and has strong implications for its therapeutic applications in autoimmune diseases. PMID: 20194724 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Immunology)
Is screening for hepatitis necessary in diagnostic evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis in South Korea?
Authors: Kim DA, Kim TY PMID: 20197568 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Rheumatol)
Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rationale for Mannose-binding Lectins?
Authors: Nakken B, Szodoray P PMID: 20197564 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Rheumatol)

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Below you will find some first articles about diet that helps rheumatoid arthritis to start your research with:

10 Easy Tips For Arthritis Pain Relief
By Nicholas Ahern
Think you can't stop that arthritis pain? Great news! You can act now. Get 10 super easy and effective arthritis pain relief tips from arthritis experts and make your life with arthritis a little Read more...

Ph Balance And Arthritis
By Beverly Taylor
When your body accumulates an excessive amount of acid, you are at risk for arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. If you already suffer from one of these diseases, high acidity will Read more...