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The Monascus fungi have traditionally been used in Asia for food coloring. Unfortunately, the most well-known species, Monascus purpureus , very often produce mycotoxin citrinin in addition to pigments, which poses a significant problem for the use of pigments in foods. There is a step in pigment biosynthesis where a side chain of five or seven carbons is attached to the tetraketide, the product of polyketide synthase, resulting in the formation of pigments in pairs. Further, it is still unclear whether pigment and citrinin biosyntheses are related or independent. Therefore, this study is focused on the relationship between pigment and citrinin production and pigment analogues that differ in side chain length, all evaluated by the Spearman correlation test. To generate sufficient data, Monascus purpureus DBM 4360 was cultivated with different carbon and nitrogen sources and under osmotic stress induced by glucose and/or sodium chloride. The study reveals a very strong correlation between the production of five- and seven-carbon side chain pigments under all culture conditions tested for all three groups, yellow, orange, and red pigments. The correlation between pigments and citrinin depended on the group assessed and ranged from fair to very strong. While the coordinated synthesis of pigment analogues in pairs has been clearly confirmed, the relationship between pigment and citrinin production was unfortunately neither confirmed nor refuted and must be the subject of further research.

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. Early detection of axSpA is crucial to slow disease progression and maintain remission or low disease activity. However, current biomarkers are insufficient for diagnosing axSpA or distinguishing between its radiographic (r-axSpA) and non-radiographic (nr-axSpA) subsets. To address this, we conducted a study using miRNA profiling with massive parallel sequencing (MPS) and SmartChip qRT-PCR validation. The goal was to identify differentially expressed miRNAs in axSpA patients, specifically those subdiagnosed with nr-axSpA or r-axSpA. Disease activity was measured using C-reactive protein (CRP) and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS). Radiographic assessments of the cervical and lumbar spine were performed at baseline and after two years. Out of the initial 432 miRNAs, 90 met the selection criteria, and 45 were validated out of which miR-1-3p was upregulated, whereas miR-1248 and miR-1246 were downregulated in axSpA patients. The expression of miR-1-3p correlated with interleukin (IL)-17 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) levels, indicating its significant role in axSpA pathogenesis. Although specific miRNAs distinguishing disease subtypes or correlating with disease activity or spinal changes were not found, the study identified three dysregulated miRNAs in axSpA patients, with miR-1-3p linked to IL-17 and TNF, underscoring its pathogenetic significance. These findings could help improve the early detection and treatment of axSpA., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Background: Inhibitors that are released from lignocellulose biomass during its treatment represent one of the major bottlenecks hindering its massive utilization in the biotechnological production of chemicals. This study demonstrates that negative effect of inhibitors can be mitigated by proper feeding strategy. Both, crude undetoxified lignocellulose hydrolysate and complex medium supplemented with corresponding inhibitors were tested in acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation using Clostridium beijerinckii NRRL B-598 as the producer strain., Results: First, it was found that the sensitivity of C. beijerinckii to inhibitors varied with different growth stages, being the most significant during the early acidogenic phase and less pronounced during late acidogenesis and early solventogenesis. Thus, a fed-batch regime with three feeding schemes was tested for toxic hydrolysate (no growth in batch mode was observed). The best results were obtained when the feeding of an otherwise toxic hydrolysate was initiated close to the metabolic switch, resulting in stable and high ABE production. Complete utilization of glucose, and up to 88% of xylose, were obtained. The most abundant inhibitors present in the alkaline wheat straw hydrolysate were ferulic and coumaric acids; both phenolic acids were efficiently detoxified by the intrinsic metabolic activity of clostridia during the early stages of cultivation as well as during the feeding period, thus preventing their accumulation. Finally, the best feeding strategy was verified using a TYA culture medium supplemented with both inhibitors, resulting in 500% increase in butanol titer over control batch cultivation in which inhibitors were added prior to inoculation., Conclusion: Properly timed sequential feeding effectively prevented acid-crash and enabled utilization of otherwise toxic substrate. This study unequivocally demonstrates that an appropriate biotechnological process control strategy can fully eliminate the negative effects of lignocellulose-derived inhibitors., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The fungus Monascus is a well-known source of secondary metabolites with interesting pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. In particular, Monascus pigments possess a wide range of biological activities (e.g. antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or antitumoral). To broaden the scope of their possible application, this study focused on testing Monascus pigment extracts as potential photosensitizing agents efficient in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against bacteria. For this purpose, eight different extracts of secondary metabolites from the liquid- and solid-state fermentation of Monascus purpureus DBM 4360 and Monascus sp. DBM 4361 were tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative model bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli and further screened for ESKAPE pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To the bacterial culture, increasing concentration of extracts was added and it was found that all extracts showed varying antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria in dark, which was further increased after irradiation. Gram-negative bacteria were tolerant to the extracts' exposure in the dark but sensitivity to almost all extracts that occurred after irradiation. The Monascus sp. DBM 4361 extracts seemed to be the best potential candidate for aPDT against Gram-positive bacteria, being efficient at low doses, i.e. the lowest total concentration of Monascus pigments exhibiting aPDT effect was 3.92 ± 1.36 mg/L for E. coli. Our results indicate that Monascus spp., forming monascuspiloin as the major yellow pigment and not-forming mycotoxin citrinin, is a promising source of antimicrobials and photoantimicrobials., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Osteoclasts play a critical role in bone pathology frequently associated with autoimmune diseases. Studying the etiopathogenesis of these diseases and their clinical manifestations can involve in vitro osteoclastogenesis, an experimental technique that utilizes osteoclast precursors that are relatively easily accessible from peripheral blood or synovial fluid. However, the increasing number of methodical options to study osteoclastogenesis in vitro poses challenges in translating findings to clinical research and practice. This review compares and critically evaluates previous research work based on in vitro differentiation of human osteoclast precursors originating from patients, which aimed to explain autoimmune pathology in rheumatic and enteropathic diseases. The discussion focuses primarily on methodical differences between the studies, including the origin of osteoclast precursors, culture conditions, and methods for identifying osteoclasts and assessing their activity. Additionally, the review examines the clinical significance of the three most commonly used in vitro approaches: induced osteoclastogenesis, spontaneous osteoclastogenesis, and cell co-culture. By analyzing and integrating the gathered information, this review proposes general connections between different studies, even in cases where their results are seemingly contradictory. The derived conclusions and future directions aim to enhance our understanding of a potential and limitations of in vitro osteoclastogenesis and provide a foundation for discussing novel methods (such as osteoclastogenesis dynamic) and standardized approaches (such as spontaneous osteoclastogenesis) for future use in autoimmune disease research., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Background: We present the case study of a 28-year-old pregnant woman with antithrombin deficiency who was treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH)., Methods: Due to severe homozygous type II antithrombin heparin binding site (HBS) deficiency, the thrombin generation (TG) was monitored in this woman via the Thrombin Generation Assay (TGA). We used Siemens diagnostic kits Berichrom® Antithrombin III (IIa) and INNOVANCE® Antithrombin (Xa) to determine antithrombin activity. We used a chromogenic method for determination of factor Xa (FXa) inhibition., Results: There were no thrombotic complications during the whole pregnancy of the observed woman. Antithrombin was administered before and after delivery, which was significantly reflected in the decrease in thrombin generation., Conclusions: Consistent monitoring of thrombin generation with LMWH anticoagulant therapy administration during pregnancy together with antithrombin administration before and after delivery can improve the overall condition of pregnant women and the quality of their care.

Objectives: To update the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS)-EULAR recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)., Methods: Following the EULAR Standardised Operating Procedures, two systematic literature reviews were conducted on non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment of axSpA. In a task force meeting, the evidence was presented, discussed, and overarching principles and recommendations were updated, followed by voting., Results: Five overarching principles and 15 recommendations with a focus on personalised medicine were agreed: eight remained unchanged from the previous recommendations; three with minor edits on nomenclature; two with relevant updates (#9, 12); two newly formulated (#10, 11). The first five recommendations focus on treatment target and monitoring, non-pharmacological management and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as first-choice pharmacological treatment. Recommendations 6-8 deal with analgesics and discourage long-term glucocorticoids and conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for pure axial involvement. Recommendation 9 describes the indication of biological DMARDs (bDMARDs, that is, tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), interleukin-17 inhibitors (IL-17i)) and targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs, ie, Janus kinase inhibitors) for patients who have Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score ≥2.1 and failed ≥2 NSAIDs and also have either elevated C reactive protein, MRI inflammation of sacroiliac joints or radiographic sacroiliitis. Current practice is to start a TNFi or IL-17i. Recommendation 10 addresses extramusculoskeletal manifestations with TNF monoclonal antibodies preferred for recurrent uveitis or inflammatory bowel disease, and IL-17i for significant psoriasis. Treatment failure should prompt re-evaluation of the diagnosis and consideration of the presence of comorbidities (#11). If active axSpA is confirmed, switching to another b/tsDMARD is recommended (#12). Tapering, rather than immediate discontinuation of a bDMARD, can be considered in patients in sustained remission (#13). The last recommendations (#14, 15) deal with surgery and spinal fractures., Conclusions: The 2022 ASAS-EULAR recommendations provide up-to-date guidance on the management of patients with axSpA., Competing Interests: Competing interests: SR received research grants from AbbVie, Galapagos, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, and consulting fees from AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Novartis, MSD, Pfizer, UCB and Sanofi. EN has received speaker honoraria/participated in advisory boards for Celltrion, Pfizer, Sanofi, Gilead, Galapagos, AbbVie, and Lilly, and holds research grants from Pfizer and Lilly. AS has received speaker/consulting fees from UCB and Novartis. AO has nothing to declare. CW has nothing to declare. XB received consulting fees and research grants from AbbVie, BMS, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi and UCB. XB is an editorial board member of Annals of Rheumatic Diseases. RBML received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Jansen, Galapagos, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, and is director of Rheumatology Consultancy. FEVdB received consulting and/or speaker fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Janssen, MoonLake, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB. BB has nothing to declare. AB has nothing to declare. PC received consulting/speaker’s fees from Eli Lilly, Pfizer, AbbVie, Sanofi, Galapagos, Fresenius Kabi, Biogen, MSD, UCB and Novartis. AC received honoraria for lectures from AbbVie, Merck Sharp & Dohme and Novartis. FAvG received grants from Stichting ASAS, and consulting/speaker’s fees from Novartis, UCB, Pfizer, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Bristol Myers Squibb and Celgene. PG received speaker’s fees from AbbVie. LG received consulting fees and research grants from AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Janssen, MoonLake, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB. JH has received speaker honoraria and participated in advisory boards for AbbVie, Lilly, Novartis and Janssen. MdH has nothing to declare. MH has received speaker’s fees from Novartis. UK has received grant and research support and consultancy fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Biocad, Biogen, Chugai, Eli Lilly, Fresenius, Gilead, Grünenthal, GSK, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche and UCB. CL-M has received speaker/consulting fees from UCB, Novartis, Janssen, Eli Lilly, MSD and AbbVie. PMM has received honoraria from AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Orphazyme, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, and is supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). HM-O received grants from Janssen, Novartis and UCB, and consultancy/speaker's fees from AbbVie, Biogen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, MoonLake, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB. AM received research grants from UCB and consulting fees from AbbVie, Biogen, BMS, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Novartis, MSD, Pfizer and UCB. VN-C received grants/honoraria from AbbVie, Galapagos, Janssen, Lilly, MoonLake, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB. MJN received grant from Novartis and consultancy/speaker's fees from AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis and Pfizer. FMP-S received research grants from AbbVie, Janssen, and Novartis, and consulting fees from AbbVie, Bial, Biogen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Pharma Kern, UCB and Tecnimed. DP received research support from AbbVie, Eli Lilly, MSD, Novartis, and Pfizer, and consulting fees from AbbVie, Biocad, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, MSD, MoonLake, Novartis, Pfizer, Samsung Bioepis, and UCB, and speaker's fees from AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Medscape, Novartis, Peervoice, Pfizer and UCB. FP reports grants and personal fees from Novartis, Lilly and UCB, and personal fees from AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, Hexal, MSD, Pfizer and Roche. MR received consulting fees from AbbVie, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma. MT has nothing to declare. SSZ has received consulting fees from UCB. NZ received research grants from AbbVie, Celgene, NewBridge and Pfizer; consulting fees from AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, NewBridge and Roche; and speaker's fees from AbbVie, Apotex, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, Pharmaline, Roche and Sanofi-Aventis. DvdH received consulting fees from AbbVie, Bayer, BMS, Cyxone, Eisai, Galapagos, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma, and is director of Imaging Rheumatology., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

The cases of antithrombin (AT)-deficient pregnant women with a homozygous HBS II mutation are relatively rare and are accompanied by an increased thrombophilic risk, which is manifested by increased thrombin generation (TG). It is very difficult to ensure their prophylactic treatment during pregnancy. We aimed to determine the utility of the thrombin generation assay (TGA) and anti-factor Xa (anti-FXa) test to monitor the effects of a prophylactic dose of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in a 28-year-old woman with homozygous AT deficiency caused by mutation c.391C > T#, (p.Leu131Phe†) in the SERPINC1 gene and to compare the findings with those from a group of pregnant and non-pregnant women also treated with LMWH. TG monitoring was chosen due to severe AT deficiency that was manifested by low levels of anti-FXa activity when monitoring the efficacy of LMWH treatment. A significant decrease in TG was detected in all monitored groups ( P  < .05). There were no thrombotic complications during the whole pregnancy of the woman with AT deficiency. Consistent monitoring of TG with LMWH anticoagulant therapy administration during pregnancy together with AT administration before and after delivery may improve the overall condition of pregnant women and the quality of their care.

The pink-red color of traditional sausages (cured meat) is the result of nitrite addition and the formation of nitrosomyoglobin. However, the pleasant color of processed meat products is a side effect of nitrite addition while the main anticipated goal is to suppress the germination of clostridial spores. The fungus Monascus is known as a producer of oligoketide pigments, which are used in Asian countries, especially in China, for coloring foods, including meat products. Although, different biological activities of Monascus pigments have been tested and confirmed in many studies, their effect on germination of bacterial spores has never been investigated. This study is focused on testing the activity of red yeast rice (RYR) extract, containing monascin, rubropunctatin, rubropunctamine complexes and monascuspiloin as the main pigments, on germination of Clostridium and Bacillus spores. It was found that addition of nitrite alone, at the permitted concentration, had no effect on spore germination. However, the combined effects of nitrite with NaCl, tested after addition of pickling salt, was efficient in inhibiting the germination of C. beijerinckii spores but had no effect on B. subtilis spores. In contrast, total suppression of C. beijerinckii spore germination was reached after addition of RYR extract to the medium at a concentration of 2% v/v. For B. subtilis , total inhibition of spore germination was observed only after addition of 4% v/v RYR extract to the medium containing 1.3% w/w NaCl., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Husakova, Plechata, Branska and Patakova.)

Aim: Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a molecular chaperone regulating immune response. We aimed to assess systemic Hsp90 as a biomarker for spondyloarthritis (SpA). Materials & methods: Total of 80 axial SpA (axSpA) and 22 psoriatic arthritis patients and a corresponding number of age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were included. Plasma Hsp90 levels were measured by ELISA. Results: Hsp90 was significantly increased in axSpA patients compared with HC (median interquartile range: 15.7 [10.5-19.8] vs 8.3 [6.6-11.8] ng/ml, p < 0.001). Moreover, Hsp90 was superior to C-reactive protein in differentiating axSpA (and both radiographic axSpA [r-axSpA] and nonradiographic-axSpA) from HC. Hsp90 levels correlated with bone marrow edema of sacroiliac joints in r-axSpA patients (r = 0.594, p = 0.019). Conclusion: Hsp90 could become a biomarker for active inflammation in r-axSpA, and can better distinguish axSpA patients from healthy subjects than C-reactive protein.

Timely and reliable detection of animals shedding Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) should help to effectively identify infected animals and limit infection transmission at early stages to ensure effective control of paratuberculosis. The aim of the study was to compare DNA extraction methods and evaluate isolation efficiency using milk and faecal samples artificially contaminated by MAP with a focus on modern instrumental automatic DNA isolation procedures based on magnetic separation. In parallel, an automatic and manual version of magnetic separation and two methods of faecal samples preparation were compared. Commercially available DNA isolation kits were evaluated, and the selected kits were used in a trial of automatic magnetic beads-based isolation and compared with the manual version of each kit. Detection of the single copy element F 57 was performed by qPCR to quantify MAP and determine the isolation efficiency. The evaluated kits showed significant differences in DNA isolation efficiencies. The best results were observed with the silica column Blood and Tissue kit for milk and Zymo Research for faeces. The highest isolation efficiency for magnetic separation was achieved with MagMAX for both matrices. The magnetic separation and silica column isolation methods used in this study represent frequently used methods in mycobacterial diagnostics.

The objective of this study was to investigate the patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) derived extracellular matrix (ECM) biomarkers in non-radiographic (nr)-axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and radiographic (r)-axSpA after exercise intervention. Forty-six axSpA patients with stable disease and treatment underwent 24 weeks long exercise intervention. The clinical and laboratory assessments were performed at baseline and at follow-up. The PROs included evaluation of patient's global disease activity (PGDA), disease activity (DA7), pain (PAIN7) and fatigue during last week and quality of life questionnaires. ELISAs for MMP-degraded collagen type II, C-reactive protein (CRPM) and citrullinated vimentin were used. The data of 23 r-axSpA and 19 nr-axSpA were analysed. The PDGA was similar for nr-axSpA (35.2 ± 18.9) and r-axSpA (33.4 ± 22.3) at baseline, improved significantly after intervention (p < 0.01) and the change of PDGA was almost identical for nr-axSpA (- 10.0 ± 15.4) and r-axSpA (- 9.8 ± 11.9). Evaluations of DA7 and PAIN7 were significantly improved only in nr-axSpA (3.5 ± 2.3 and 34.7 ± 25.6 at baseline vs. 2.1 ± 1.9 and 21.0 ± 20.5, respectively, p < 0.01). The decline of DA7 and PAIN7 was more profound, but not significantly in nr-axSpA than in r-axSpA (- 1.4 ± 1.6 and - 13.7 ± 17.4 vs. - 0.5 ± 3.1 and - 3.7 ± 3.3, respectively). The quality of life was not changed. At baseline, increased levels of CRPM were found in r-axSpA (14.85 ± 4.10) compared to nr-axSpA (11.83 ± 3.20), p < 0.05, but all three biomarkers were not influenced by exercise therapy. We found that exercise therapy mainly in the nr-axSpA improves PROs, but not ECM turnover biomarkers. This indicates that exercise therapy is important for patients' health but does not affect ECM turnover.

The main reasons to improve the detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) are animal health and monitoring of MAP entering the food chain via meat, milk, and/or dairy products. Different approaches can be used for the detection of MAP, but the use of magnetic separation especially in conjunction with PCR as an end-point detection method has risen in past years. However, the extraction of DNA which is a crucial step prior to PCR detection can be complicated due to the presence of inhibitory substances. Magnetic separation methods involving either antibodies or peptides represent a powerful tool for selective separation of target bacteria from other nontarget microorganisms and inhibitory sample components. These methods enable the concentration of pathogens present in the initial matrix into smaller volume and facilitate the isolation of sufficient quantities of pure DNA. The purpose of this review was to summarize the methods based on the magnetic separation approach that are currently available for the detection of MAP in a broad range of matrices.

Background: The efficacy of exercise therapy for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is well-documented, but dearth of information is for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). Biomarkers like serum calprotectin, interleukins IL-6, IL-17 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α may reflect the disease activity of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). In this study, we investigated clinical and laboratory parameters of both axSpA subgroups in response to intensive physical exercise., Methods: Altogether, 46 patients with axSpA, characterised according to the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society criteria as having nr-axSpA or AS underwent 6-month exercise programme. Clinical outcomes of disease activity, Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), AS Disease Activity Index (ASDAS-CRP), mobility, Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI) and function, Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI) were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the exercise programme. Serum IL-6 and IL-17, TNF-α and calprotectin were measured via ELISA. The clinical and laboratory data of 29 control axSpA patients were used for the evaluation of the results., Results: In all axSpA patients, the ASDAS-CRP (2.10 ± 0.12 to 1.84 ± 0.11, p <0.01) and BASMI (1.28 ± 0.14 to 0.66 ± 0.84, p <0.0001) improved after 6 months of exercise therapy. There was a significant improvement in the ASDAS-CRP in the nr-axSpA subgroup (2.01 ± 0.19 to 1.73 ± 0.16, p <0.05) and in the BASMI in both, the nr-axSpA and the AS subgroups (1.09 ± 0.12 to 0.47 ± 0.08, p <0.0001 and 1.43 ± 0.24 to 0.82 ± 0.23, p <0.0001, respectively). Both, ASDAS-CRP and BASDAI, were significantly improved in the exercise axSpA group compared to the control axSpA group (mean -0.26 vs. -0.13 and -0.49 vs. 0.12, respectively, all p <0.05). Only calprotectin was significantly reduced after the exercise programme in nr-axSpA and AS patients (from 2379.0 ± 243.20 to 1779.0 ± 138.30 μg/mL and from 2430.0 ± 269.70 to 1816.0 ± 148.20 μg/mL, respectively, all p <0.01). The change in calprotectin was more profound in the axSpA intervention group (mean -604.56) than in the control axSpA (mean -149.28, p <0.05)., Conclusion: This study demonstrated similar efficacy for an intensive exercise programme in both nr-axSpA and AS patients. A significant decrease in serum calprotectin levels in both subgroups of axSpA patients after the exercise programme reflected an improvement in the disease activity and spinal mobility.

Background: Small non-coding RNA molecules (miRs) are involved in immune cell maturation and function and might influence immunopathological processes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis., Methods and Results: This paper presents the results of a literature search for publications dealing with the relationship between miRs and pathological factors related to SLE such as genetic background, immune dysregulation and gender-associated differences participating in SLE development. In SLE, distinct miRs are differentially expressed in SLE cells of innate and adaptive immunity. The miR-146a and miR-155 genes, among others, interfere with intracellular signalling pathways downstream of toll-like receptors 7 and 9 (TLR- 7, TLR-9) and influences interferon (IFN)-type I synthesis in plasmacytoid dendritic cells. In T and B cells, miR-126, miR-21, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-1246 and others might influence gene expression by epigenetic modifications, support abnormal cytosine release, differentiation of cell subsets, B cell hyperactivity and autoantibody production. Besides, estrogen might up- and downregulate immunologically active miRs, which are potential mediators of hormonal influences in SLE development. Moreover, SLE genetic basis included some polymorphisms of the miR-146a gene, which varies across populations., Conclusion: Distinct miRs are differentially expressed in both SLE mice models and human patients and promote autoimmune features of immune processes. MiRs are important molecules modulating susceptibility to SLE as well as its onset, clinical diversity and progression.

Objectives: The aim of this study was a large scale investigation of myositis-associated circulating miRNA molecules and also determination of expression of these candidate molecules in relation to clinical activity of myositis., Methods: RNA, containing also miRNAs, was isolated from sera of 28 patients suffering from idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and 16 healthy controls. Expression of miRNAs was determined using a miRNA microarray method. Statistical analysis of miRNA expression was carried out using Arraystar software., Results: Our results showed 23 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs. Six miRNAs were differentially expressed in IIM compared to healthy controls. In dermatomyositis (DM) we found 3 and in polymyositis (PM) 6 differentially expressed miRNAs compared to controls. Three miRNAs were up-regulated in patients with highly active disease compared to patients with low disease activity. Furthermore, we found 26 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs in SLE patients compared to IIM, DM and PM patients., Conclusions: This is the first study that comprehensively describes expression levels of circulating miRNAs in serum of patients suffering from IIM. It can be expected that some of these deregulated miRNA molecules are involved in aetiology of IIM and may potentially serve as molecular markers for IIM development or for monitoring of disease activity.

Background and Aims: Psoriasis vulgaris (PV) is complicated in up to 40% patients by the inflammatory joint disease psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Neither the aetiology of the arthritis nor specific laboratory markers for its disease activity have been clearly elucidated. Prolactin (PRL) acts as a cytokine with immunomodulatory functions and plays a role in skin and joint biology. The results on PRL however as a marker are unclear. The aim of this study was to confirm whether serum PRL levels reflect systemic complications of PV, like inflammatory joint disease and/or can serve as a marker of disease activity in both cases., Methods: A total of 70 patients with PV without arthritis and 40 patients suffering from PsA were included. In all patients, we determined skin disease activity according to the PASI index and in PsA, active disease assessed as swollen or tender joints. The control group included 27 age and sex matched healthy individuals. The concentration of PRL in the serum was measured by immunoradiometric assays., Results: The PRL serum levels were significantly increased in PsA patients (299.2±28.29 mIU/L) compared to PV only patients (201.4.2±11.72 mIU/L), P = 0.0003 and healthy individuals (198.2±15.31 mIU/L), P = 0.007. The serum PRL levels in PsA with active disease 336.8±42.50 (mIU/L) were higher than in PV and controls, P < 0.0001 and P = 0.002 respectively. In PV only patients, there was no correlation between PASI and PRL levels., Conclusion: Our results showed that PRL serum levels are a marker of active arthritis in PsA and reflects systemic complication rather than local skin activity.