Future therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by persistent joint inflammation. Without adequate treatment, patients with RA will develop joint deformity and progressive functional impairment. With the implementation of treat-to-target strategies and availability of biologic therapies, the outcomes for patients with RA have significantly improved. However, the unmet need in the treatment of RA remains high as some patients do not respond sufficiently to the currently available agents, remission is not always achieved and refractory disease is not uncommon. With better understanding of the pathophysiology of RA, new therapeutic approaches are emerging. Apart from more selective Janus kinase inhibition, there is a great interest in the granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor pathway, Bruton's tyrosine kinase pathway, phosphoinositide-3-kinase pathway, neural stimulation and dendritic cell-based therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss the therapeutic potential of these novel approaches

Thymbra Spicata Var. Intricata Induces Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation

ABSTRACT A natural agent that maintains mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) viability, promotes osteogenic differentiation while modulating the immunological response could achieve success in regeneration during healing and may also prevent bone resorption and improve regeneration. We aimed to demonstrate that a Thymbra spicata var. intricata extract could induce proliferation, differentiation, and modulate the immune responses of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Using xCELLigence, a real-time monitoring system, we obtained a growth curve of MSCs. A dose of 10 µg/mL was the most efficient concentration for vitality. Osteogenic differentiation and antiinflammatory activities were determined by using an ELISA Kit to detect early and late markers of differentiation. The Osteonectin (ON, early osteogenic marker) level decreased while the Osteocalcin (OCN, late osteogenic marker) level increased in the T. spicata var. intricata treated group, suggesting that T. spicata var. intricata may accelerate osteogenic differentiation. Reduced level of the IL-6 cytokine in repsonse to TNF-α was evident. T. spicata var. intricata could be a promising osteogenic inducer in dentistry and could be used safely in biocomposites or scaffold fabrications

Impact of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination on postoperative mortality in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection

There is little evidence around the potentially protective role of previous Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination on postoperative mortality in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Prior BCG vaccination did not protect SARS-CoV-2 infected patients against postoperative pulmonary complications and 30-day mortality

Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate, Magnesium Oxide and Dried Sugar Beet Pulp in Diets of Dairy Cows on Milk Yield, Milk Composition and Rumen Fluid and Some Blood Parameters

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of buffering agent (NaHCO(3) and MgO) or substituting Dried Sugar Beet Pulp (DSBP) with barley on milk yield, composition of milk, some blood parameters and ruminal fermentation in cows. In the experiment, four lactating Holstein cows with similar age, lactation period and milk yield were utilized. Cows with second phase of lactation were selected. Treatments consisted of control (40% Barley), control+1% NaHCO(3) (NaHCO(3)), control+1% NaHCO(3)+0,5% MgO (MgO) and barley substituted with DSBP. All diets were calculated to be isocaloric and iso-nitogeneous. The experiment was a 4x4 Latin square design. While milk yield was significantly higher in animals fed diets containing NaHCO(3)+MgO compared with animals fed control, compositions of milk were not significantly different among the groups. Addition of NaHCO(3), NaHCO(3) + MgO significantly increased (p<0.05) acetic acid concentrations but did not affect blood parameters. In conclusion addition of NaHCO(3) or NaHCO(3) + MgO increased milk yield but did not affect composition of milk. An increase in ruminal acetic acid concentrations and acetic/propionic acid ratio due to buffering agent is an important finding. It must be revaluated the use of supplements in feeding diets since they decrease propionic acid level