Evaluating the Perception Among Rheumatologists of Maintenance of Board Certification in the US

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148252/1/acr23823.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148252/2/acr23823-sup-0001-AppendixS1.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/148252/3/acr23823_am.pd

Antidote Stocking at Hospitals in North Palestine

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the availability and adequacy of antidote stocking at hospitals in north Palestine based on published guidelines for antidote stocking. Methodology: This study is a cross sectional survey of all hospitals at north Palestine (n=11) using a questionnaire which was completed by the director of the pharmacy department at each hospital. The questionnaire was divided into 2 parts. The first part contained a list of 25 antidotes while the second part contained a list of 12 antidotes. This classification is based on the guideline proposed by the British Association for Emergency Medicine (BAEM). The net antidote stock results were compared with the American guidelines as well. Result: The overall availability of each antidote in the first list varied widely from zero for glucagon to 100% for atropine. The number antidotes of the first list that were stocked in the 11 hospitals ranged from 5 to 12 antidotes but none of the hospitals stocked all the 25 antidotes. Additionally, availability of antidotes in the second list varied widely from zero for polyethylene glycol to 100% for dobutamine. The number of antidotes stocked ranged from 5 to 9 but none of the hospitals stocked all the 12 antidotes. Discussion and Conclusion: hospitals in north Palestine do not have adequate stock of antidotes. Raising awareness of the importance of antidotes by education, regular review of antidote storage, distribution plans, and appropriate legislation might provide solutions. Coordination between Palestinian hospitals and the PCDIC at An-Najah National University is also important

An update on belimumab for the treatment of lupus

B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), a homeostatic factor for B-cell differentiation and survival, has a major role in B-cell expansion and autoreactivity that characterize systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Belimumab, a BLyS-specific inhibitor, has shown promising evidence of efficacy in several preclinical and clinical studies in SLE. Two recent large randomized controlled trials yielded a significant positive effect of the drug compared to placebo in patients with active disease. In this review, we discuss basic aspects of B-cell and BLyS biology in SLE and summarize the evidence supporting a role of belimumab in SLE, from animal studies to phase III clinical trials

Glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B: A key mediator and an emerging therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases

The glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB, also known as osteoactivin) is highly expressed in many cell types and regulates the homeostasis in various tissues. In different physiological contexts, it functions as a melanosome- associated protein, membrane- bound surface receptor, soluble ligand, or adhesion molecule. Therefore, GPNMB is involved in cell differentiation, migration, inflammation, metabolism, and neuroprotection. Because of its various involvement in different physiological conditions, GPNMB has been implicated in many diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, and more recently immune- mediated diseases. This review summarizes the regulation and function of GPNMB in normal physiology, and discusses the involvement of GPNMB in disease conditions with a particular focus on its potential role and therapeutic implications in autoimmunity.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155959/1/fsb220630.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/155959/2/fsb220630_am.pd

Identification of Cysteineâ Rich Angiogenic Inducer 61 as a Potential Antifibrotic and Proangiogenic Mediator in Scleroderma

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150582/1/art40890.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/150582/2/art40890_am.pd

EZH2 Modulates the DNA Methylome and Controls T Cell Adhesion Through Junctional Adhesion Molecule A in Lupus Patients

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141024/1/art40338_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/141024/2/art40338.pd

Bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: research activity in Arab countries

BACKGROUND: Chronic respiratory diseases, like bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are a worldwide health problem. Quantitative and qualitative assessment of asthma and COPD-related research from Arab countries has not been explored and there are few internationally published reports on such field. The main objectives of this study were to analyze research output originating from Arab countries in the field of bronchial asthma and COPD. METHODS: Original scientific articles or reviews published from the 22 Arab countries were screened using specific words pertaining to asthma and COPD using Scopus database and search engine. Research productivity was evaluated based on: (a) total and trends of contribution of each Arab country to asthma and COPD research and (b) journals in which researchers from Arab countries published their research. RESULTS: The total number of original research and review articles published globally about bronchial asthma and COPD was 163,964. The leading country in bronchial asthma and COPD research was United States of America (38,632; 23.56%). Worldwide, Turkey ranked 19th while Israel and Iran ranked 25th and 29th respectively. Among Arab countries, Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia came on positions 39th and 43rd, respectively. A total of 1,304 documents about bronchial asthma and COPD were published from Arab countries which represents 0.8% of the global research output. Research in bronchial asthma was almost double that in COPD. Research from Arab countries was low and showed a significant increase after 2000. Approximately 12% of research activity in asthma and COPD from Arab countries was published in Saudi Medical Journal, Annals of Saudi Medicine, Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal and Tunisie Medicale. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a total publication of 353 (27.07%) ranked first among the Arab countries while University of Kuwait was the most productive institution with a total of 123 (9.43%) documents. CONCLUSIONS: The present data showed relatively low research productivity about bronchial asthma and COPD in Arab countries. Research output can be improved by investing more in international and national collaborative research projects in the field of asthma and COPD