Serum interferon-beta level determined by an ultrasensitive electrochemiluminescence immunoassay is increased in clinically active and inactive systemic lupus erythematosus.

Type I interferons, which play an important role in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), are expressed at very low levels under physiological conditions. In this study, we focused on IFN-beta (IFN) β-for its potential use as a biomarker of SLE activity and compared three different technologies for its quantification in the serum of healthy donors and patients with SLE. A total of 93 serum samples from healthy donors and 463 serum samples from lupus patients were tested using either ELISA, digital ELISA based on Single Molecule Array (Simoa®) technology, or a novel ultrasensitive immunoassay (S-Plex®) based on electrochemiluminescence.

Impacts of immersive 3D videos on students' surgical learning compared to 2D videos: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Unlike other medical specialties, surgery is primarily learned through apprenticeship, by observing surgeons in action during operations. However, the increasing number of medical students and work-hour restrictions limit opportunities for learning in the operating room (OR). These circumstances call for novel technologies, such as immersive video.

Lymphadenopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: no microbial trigger found by shotgun metagenomics in a retrospective study on 38 patients.

Objectives: Lymphadenopathy is a classical manifestation of SLE flare, occurring in approximately half of patients during the course of the disease. Lymphadenopathy in SLE is frequently associated with fever. Microbial infection may play a role in SLE onset and flares.

Risk of flare in patients with SLE in remission after hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine withdrawal.

Objective: Previous studies have provided evidence that the discontinuation of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and chloroquine (CQ), in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with an increased risk of disease flares, with limited information on the level of disease activity at the time of HCQ/CQ discontinuation. Here we aimed to describe the risk of SLE flare after withdrawal of HCQ or CQ in patients with SLE in remission.

Methods: Case-control study (1:2) comparing the evolution of patients with SLE after HCQ/CQ withdrawal for antimalarial retinopathy (cases) with patients with SLE matched for sex, antimalarial treatment duration and age at SLE diagnosis, whose antimalarial treatment was continued throughout the entire follow-up period (controls).

Identification of new risk factors for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine retinopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Background: Long-term hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) or chloroquine (CQ) intake causes retinal toxicity in 0.3-8 % of patients with rheumatic diseases. Numerous risk factors have been described, eg, daily dose by weight, treatment duration, chronic kidney disease, concurrent tamoxifen therapy and pre-existing retinal or macular disease.

Phenotypes in antiphospholipid syndrome: A hierarchical cluster analysis based on two independent databases.

Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by thromboses at various sites and obstetric events associated with the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. The identification of clinical phenotypes in APS patients is a clinical need. In this study, we aimed to determine the clinical phenotypes of APS patients through an unsupervised analysis of two well-characterized cohorts of APS patients.

Prognostic value of hypermetabolic bone sarcoidosis observed by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.

Objectives: Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatosis diagnosed mainly in young adults. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT is useful in sarcoidosis cases to search for a biopsiable site or assess disease activity.18F-FDG PET/CT can reveal bone hypermetabolism in sarcoidosis patients, even in the absence of osteoarticular symptoms.

Lower disease activity but higher risk of severe COVID-19 and herpes zoster in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with pre-existing autoantibodies neutralising IFN-α.

Objectives: Type-I interferons (IFNs-I) have potent antiviral effects. IFNs-I are also overproduced in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Autoantibodies (AAbs) neutralising IFN-α, IFN-β and/or IFN-ω subtypes are strong determinants of hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia, but their impact on inflammation remains unknown.

BNT162b2 vaccine-induced humoral and cellular responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Our aim was to evaluate systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity and SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses after BNT162b2 vaccination.

Methods: In this prospective study, disease activity and clinical assessments were recorded from the first dose of vaccine until day 15 after the second dose in 126 patients with SLE. SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses were measured against wild-type spike antigen, while serum-neutralising activity was assessed against the SARS-CoV-2 historical strain and variants of concerns (VOCs).

Clinical phenotypes of extrapulmonary sarcoidosis: an analysis of a French, multi-ethnic, multicentre cohort.

Sarcoidosis is a rare disease of unknown cause with wide heterogeneity in clinical features and outcomes. We aimed to explore sarcoidosis phenotypes and their clinical relevance with particular attention to extrapulmonary subgroups.The Epidemiology of Sarcoidosis (EpiSarc) study is a French retrospective multicentre study.

Foetal exposure to heavy metals and risk of atopic diseases in early childhood.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that in utero exposures can influence the development of the immune system and thus contribute to disease development. Studies investigating the association between prenatal exposures to heavy metals and atopic diseases, however, are scarce.

Methods: Children from the EDEN birth cohort were prospectively followed up using parental questionnaires with validated questions on asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and food allergy symptoms.

Spectrum and Prognosis of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis-related Bronchiectasis: Data from 61 Patients.

Objective: To report on a large series of patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) and bronchiectasis, with a specific focus on the timeline of occurrence of both features.

Methods: Retrospective nationwide multicenter study of patients diagnosed with both AAV and bronchiectasis.

Results: Sixty-one patients were included, among whom 27 (44.

Workload, well-being and career satisfaction among French internal medicine physicians and residents in 2018.

Objectives: This work aimed to study the prevalence and risk factors associated with well-being and career satisfaction among French internal medicine physicians and residents.

Methods: A total of 1689 French internal medicine physicians or trainees were surveyed to evaluate their workload, well-being and career satisfaction during February 2018.

Results: The response rate was 620/1689 (37%).

Characterization of Interstitial Lung Disease Associated With Anti-Ribonucleoprotein Antibodies.

Objectives: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common feature of mixed connective tissue disease. However, many patients do not meet the criteria for mixed connective tissue disease and thus may be diagnosed as interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features. The aim of this study was to characterize ILD associated with anti-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antibodies.