Factors associated with life quality, sleep quality, and depression in systemic sclerosis patients: a cross-sectional study from Iran.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms, poor sleep, and life quality among patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 120 SSc patients. Demographic and clinical data were obtained.

The impacts of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with aquatic neuromuscular training on pain, function, kinesiophobia, knee instability, and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind randomized trial.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a significant challenge in elderly populations. Despite reporting the positive effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on pain reduction in patients affected by knee osteoarthritis, very few studies have investigated its efficacy in combination with aquatic neuromuscular training (ANMT). Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding anodal tDCS to ANMT on pain, functional performance, kinesiophobia, joint instability, and quality of life in women with KOA.

Effect of Alexandrite Laser Hair Removal on the Activity of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective: While ultraviolet light is a well-known environmental trigger of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), it is unknown whether other spectra of light including infrared could affect SLE activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of laser hair removal which emits red and infrared light on the activity of SLE.

Method: 20 patients with SLE were enrolled.

Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser for Treatment of Microstomia and Rhytids in Systemic Sclerosis Patients.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by skin fibrosis leading to skin tightening and disfigurement. However, there is no definite treatment for SSc and its skin complications. Fractional carbon dioxide laser has been widely used for different cutaneous pathologies.

Psychometric properties evaluation of the Persian version of the self-report outcome scale for lupus disease Lupus_PRO version 1.7.

Purpose: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) significantly affects both the quality of life related to health and non-health aspects. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Lupus_PRO questionnaire, version 1.7.

Effects of silymarin as adjuvant drug on serum levels of CTRP3, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Silymarin is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We investigated these effects on serum levels of CTRP3, Anti-CCP, and hs-CRP in individuals with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, 42 individuals with RA were recruited and their serum specimens were collected, serum levels of hs-CRP, AntiCCP antibodies, and CTRP3 were measured using ELISA.

Increased gene expression of CCR6 and RORγt in peripheral blood cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients and their correlation with anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide and disease activity.

Objectives: The significance of T helper 17 (Th17) cells in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has recently been demonstrated in many studies. Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) is a transcription factor that is specifically involved in the generation of Th17 cells. Besides, the chemokine receptor CCR6, the receptor for CCL20, is characteristically expressed by these cells.

Overexpression of Synoviolin and miR-125a-5p, miR-19b-3p in peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients after treatment with conventional DMARDs and methylprednisolone.

Purpose: SYVN1 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident E3 ubiquitin ligase that has an essential function along with SEL1L in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the expression of peripheral blood ncRNAs and SYVN1-SEL1L affected by DMARDs treatment.

Methods: Twenty-five newly diagnosed RA patients were randomly assigned to receive conventional DMARDs (csDMARDs) and methylprednisolone for six months.

The effect of a six-week Aqua Pilates and Aqua Stretch intervention on pain, function, and quality of life in patients affected by ankylosing spondylitis: A rater-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: There has been a dearth of research into the benefits of water-based workouts for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effect of Aqua Stretch and Aqua Pilates in improving quality of life (QOL), function, and pain in AS patients.

Methods: This study was conducted on 40 patients, who were randomly assigned to the Aqua Pilates, Aqua Stretch, and control groups.

Improvement in the clinical manifestations of interstitial lung disease following treatment with placental mesenchymal stromal cell extracellular vesicles in a patient with systemic sclerosis: A case report.

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a severe systemic sclerosis (SSc) complication with no current approved or golden standard treatment. This report aims to investigate the effectiveness of treatment with placental mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) extracellular vesicles (EVs) in a patient with ILD due to SSc.

Case Presentation: The patient was a 55-year-old woman with a ten years history of SSc complicated by severe ILD.

Assessing the gene expression of the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its relation with the IL-6 and IL-10 plasma levels in COVID-19 patients.

Background: Metabolic dysregulation and excessive inflammation are implicated in the pathogenesis of the highly infectious disease of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by a newly emerging coronavirus (i.e., severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2; SARS-CoV-2).

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis accompanying Still's disease: A case report.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare hematologic disease that occurs due to immune system dysfunction. Clinical manifestations of this disease are fever, increased ferritin level, cytopenia, and hemophagocytosis in the biopsy report of the bone marrow. We report a 36-year-old woman referred to our hospital with persistent fever, arthralgia in interphalangeal joints, and cutaneous rash on the trunk, was subsequently diagnosed as an adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), and after bone marrow aspiration, HLH was diagnosed with her.

A Review of Medicinal Plants and Phytochemicals for the Management of Gout.

Gout, characterized by elevated uric acid levels, is a common inflammatory joint disease associated with pain, joint swelling, and bone erosion. Existing treatments for gout often result in undesirable side effects, highlighting the need for new, safe, and cost-effective anti-gout drugs. Natural products, including medicinal plants and phytochemicals, have gained attention as potential sources of anti-gout compounds.

Cutaneous vasculitis after COVID-19 vaccination in a 41-year-old male.

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis could be a possible adverse event of different SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Clinicians and manufacturers should be aware of this adverse event for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome after spontaneous rupture of a large pulmonary hydatid cyst in a 17-year-old male: A case report.

Pulmonary hydatid cysts (PHC) and their complications are still a health concern in endemic countries. Here we described a 17-year-old male presented with a large PHC with a spontaneous rupture. He developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring mechanical ventilation.

Partners in crime: Autoantibodies complicit in COVID-19 pathogenesis.

Autoantibodies (AABs) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases (AIDs) and serve as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in assessing these complex disorders. Viral infections have long been recognized as a principal environmental factor affecting the production of AABs and the development of autoimmunity. COVID-19 has primarily been considered a hyperinflammatory syndrome triggered by a cytokine storm.

The effect of Aqua Stretching exercises and Pilates on pain, function and spine posture in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Aqua Pilates and Aqua Stretch exercises are different and new methods for the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Aqua Stretch and Aqua Pilates interventions in the treatment of pain, function, and posture of the spine in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.

Methods: Forty patients participated in this study who were randomly allocated into Aqua Stretch, aqua Pilates, and control.

Efficacy of DMARDs and methylprednisolone treatment on the gene expression levels of HSPA5, MMD, and non-coding RNAs MALAT1, H19, miR-199a-5p, and miR-1-3p, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease with chronic inflammation characterized by joint damage and even extra-articular involvement. In this study, the gene expression levels of MALAT1, H19 and their possible downstream microRNAs, miR-199a-5p, miR-1-3p, and the predicted targets of these miRNAs, HSPA5 and MMD, were examined.

Methods: Twenty-five newly diagnosed RA patients and 25 healthy individuals were included.

Cardiac angiosarcoma: a case report of a young female with pulmonary metastasis.

Background: Angiosarcoma is a malignant rare tumor that originates from vascular endothelial cells that cover lymphatic or blood vessels. Cardiac angiosarcoma is the most prevalent sarcoma entail the heart. It has low incidence rate and poor prognosis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus after coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection: Case-based review.

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious disease, which presents with various clinical manifestations. There is growing evidence of an association between COVID-19 infection and autoimmune diseases. The aim of this case report was to demonstrate the association of COVID-19 infection and the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Increased plasma levels of CCL20 in peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients and its association with clinical and laboratory parameters.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that primarily affects small joints. The impaired chemokine and cytokine responses are essential pathological mechanisms for the RA clinical presentation. Given the role of chemokines and inflammatory reactions in RA pathogenesis, we evaluate the association between the plasma concentration of CCL20 with the clinical and laboratory parameters in newly diagnosed RA patients.

Natural Formulations: Novel Viewpoint for Scleroderma Adjunct Treatment.

Background: Scleroderma is a complex disease involving autoimmune, vascular, and connective tissues, with unknown etiology that can progress through any organ systems.

Objective: Yet, no cure is available; the thorough treatment of scleroderma and current treatments are based on controlling inflammation. Nowadays, medicinal plants/natural-based formulations are emerging as important regulators of many diseases, including autoimmune diseases.

Microscopic polyangiitis associated with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection in an elderly male.

Background: Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) that affects predominantly small- sized vessels. A causal relationship between viral infections and vasculitis has been postulated.Aim of the workTo present the concomitant association of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection with MPA in an elderly Iranian male.