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The oldest woman in this feature ['The New Older,' October/November] was Marilyn Denis, who is 61? And most of the women are in their 40s? Maybe I could have read [...]

Rheumatoid factor (RF) production in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is generally associated with more severe disease. In some studies, RF production has been associated with carriage of HLA–DRB1 alleles encoding the RA-associated shared epitope (SE). Patients who smoke are also more likely to be RF positive. In this study, we investigated whether the association between RF production and smoking was influenced by carriage of the SE. The smoking histories of 371 RA patients attending a hospital clinic were recorded. RF levels and SE status were determined for every patient, and the associations between the SE, smoking, and RF production were examined. HLA–DRB1 typing was performed using polymerase chain reaction. Results were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis. Patients who had ever smoked were significantly more likely to be RF positive than nonsmokers (odds ratio 2.2, P < 0.0001). This remained significant (P = 0.003) after correction for age, sex, and disease duration in a logistic regression model. An association was also found between RF positivity and carriage of the SE (P = 0.03, after correction for age, sex, and disease duration), but significance was reduced or lost after correction for previous or current smoking (P = 0.05 and 0.09, respectively). Examination of the major SE phenotypes in this RA population by multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that only DRB1*0401 was associated with RF positivity, and that this was independent of the influence of smoking. Our data confirm that RF production in RA patients is associated with smoking. This does not appear to depend on an HLA–DR-restricted immune response. The association of the SE with RF positivity is primarily due to HLA–DRB1*0401. This appears to be independent of the association with smoking, although smoking further increases the likelihood of RF production in DRB1*0401 patients.

Rheumatoid factor (RF) production in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is generally associated with more severe disease. In some studies, RF production has been associated with carriage of HLA–DRB1 alleles encoding the RA‐associated shared epitope (SE). Patients who smoke are also more likely to be RF positive. In this study, we investigated whether the association between RF production and smoking was influenced by carriage of the SE.The smoking histories of 371 RA patients attending a hospital clinic were recorded. RF levels and SE status were determined for every patient, and the associations between the SE, smoking, and RF production were examined. HLA–DRB1 typing was performed using polymerase chain reaction. Results were analyzed using chi‐square tests and logistic regression analysis.Patients who had ever smoked were significantly more likely to be RF positive than nonsmokers (odds ratio 2.2, P < 0.0001). This remained significant (P = 0.003) after correction for age, sex, and disease duration in a logistic regression model. An association was also found between RF positivity and carriage of the SE (P = 0.03, after correction for age, sex, and disease duration), but significance was reduced or lost after correction for previous or current smoking (P = 0.05 and 0.09, respectively). Examination of the major SE phenotypes in this RA population by multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that only DRB1*0401 was associated with RF positivity, and that this was independent of the influence of smoking.Our data confirm that RF production in RA patients is associated with smoking. This does not appear to depend on an HLA–DR‐restricted immune response. The association of the SE with RF positivity is primarily due to HLA–DRB1*0401. This appears to be independent of the association with smoking, although smoking further increases the likelihood of RF production in DRB1*0401 patients.

The article offers tips from readers of "Threads," on sewing smarter, better and faster. Suzanne Marquart of New Fairfield, Connecticut shares that she cleans her sewing-room floor with an adhesive lint roller and use the stray threads in making artistic cards. Sheila Clarke of Orinda, California describes the efficacy of using a telescoping magnetic bolt retriever for picking up spilled pins. Linda Cobb of Lexington, Kentucky, relates how she uses a postage-stamp moistener as a dauber. Norma Taylor of Oro Valley, Arizona, shares that crochet hook can be used in removing basting.

"It's political" [October/November] was fantastic. It's great to see you promoting environmentally-friendly products [Style Notes, August/September], but a better choice is any Lush shampoo bar. So many women view Jann Arden's struggles as their own, her humour and ability to "keep it real" make her an inspiration. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers the author's insights on the artful antennas she made. Topics discussed include the coiled black wire and twisted pink wire formed into a heart and a free-form twisted copper coil, her antenna had a standing wave ratio (SWR) reading of 1.2 on the frequency for the club's two meter repeater, and she proves that her crazy antennas are not just antennas, but functional art.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including an article on zip-out lining, "Slow Sewing" in the March 2011 issue, and an article on zipper repairs in the March 2011 issue.

Presents several letters about some useful tricks for sewing. Ideas for button-trimming one's creations or spicing up ready-made garments; Information on fancy equipments to sew buttons on by machine; Discussion on three different sewing machines for machine embroidery.

Presents letters to the editor on sewing and related products. Subscription of the journal "Threads," by a reader; Comment on the article "Choosing Machine-Embroidery Threads," published in a previous issue; Appreciation of an article related to machine-embroidery threads published in a previous issue.