Prevalence of concomitant rheumatologic diseases and autoantibody specificities among racial and ethnic groups in SLE patients

Objective: Leveraging the Manhattan Lupus Surveillance Program (MLSP), a population-based registry of cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and related diseases, we investigated the proportion of SLE with concomitant rheumatic diseases, including Sjögren’s disease (SjD), antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS), and fibromyalgia (FM), as well as the prevalence of autoantibodies in SLE by sex and race/ethnicity. Methods: Prevalent SLE cases fulfilled one of three sets of classification criteria. Additional rheumatic diseases were defined using modified criteria based on data available in the MLSP: SjD (anti-SSA/Ro positive and evidence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca and/or xerostomia), APLS (antiphospholipid antibody positive and evidence of a blood clot), and FM (diagnosis in the chart). Results: 1,342 patients fulfilled SLE classification criteria. Of these, SjD was identified in 147 (11.0%, 95% CI 9.2–12.7%) patients with women and non-Latino Asian patients being the most highly represented. APLS was diagnosed in 119 (8.9%, 95% CI 7.3–10.5%) patients with the highest frequency in Latino patients. FM was present in 120 (8.9%, 95% CI 7.3–10.5) patients with non-Latino White and Latino patients having the highest frequency. Anti-dsDNA antibodies were most prevalent in non-Latino Asian, Black, and Latino patients while anti-Sm antibodies showed the highest proportion in non-Latino Black and Asian patients. Anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies were most prevalent in non-Latino Asian patients and least prevalent in non-Latino White patients. Men were more likely to be anti-Sm positive. Conclusion: Data from the MLSP revealed differences among patients classified as SLE in the prevalence of concomitant rheumatic diseases and autoantibody profiles by sex and race/ethnicity underscoring comorbidities associated with SLE

Resistance to autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease in an APOE3 Christchurch homozygote: a case report.

We identified a PSEN1 (presenilin 1) mutation carrier from the world's largest autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease kindred, who did not develop mild cognitive impairment until her seventies, three decades after the expected age of clinical onset. The individual had two copies of the APOE3 Christchurch (R136S) mutation, unusually high brain amyloid levels and limited tau and neurodegenerative measurements. Our findings have implications for the role of APOE in the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease

Durability and extent of protection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among patients with COVID-19 in Metro Manila, Philippines

IntroductionInformation on the magnitude and durability of humoral immunity against COVID-19 among specific populations can guide policies on vaccination, return from isolation and physical distancing measures. The study determined the durability of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after an initial infection among Filipinos in Metro Manila, Philippines, and the extent of protection SARS-CoV-2 antibodies confer against reinfection.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study to monitor the antibody levels of patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific antibodies were measured at Days 21, 90, 180, 270 and 360. Antibody levels were reported as geometric mean titers (GMT) with geometric standard deviation (GSD). Differences in GMT were tested using Friedman test and Kruskal Wallis test, with Bonferroni multiple comparisons procedure. Adjusted hazard ratios on the development of probable reinfection were estimated using Cox proportional models.ResultsThere were 307 study participants included in the study, with 13 dropouts. Study participants received SARS-CoV-2 vaccines at varying times, with 278 participants (90.5%) fully vaccinated by the end of study. The GMT of the study cohort increased over time, from 19.7 U/mL (GSD 11) at Day 21; to 284.5 U/mL (GSD 9.6) at Day 90; 1,061 U/mL (GSD 5.3) at Day 180; 2,003 U/mL (GSD 6.7) at Day 270; and 8,403 U/mL (GSD 3.1) at Day 360. The increase was statistically significant from Day 21 to Day 90 (p<0.0001), Day 90 to Day 180 (p=0.0005), and Day 270 to Day 360 (p<0.0001). Participants with more severe initial infection demonstrated significantly higher antibody levels compared to those with milder infection at Day 21. Sixty-four patients had probable COVID-19 reinfection (incidence of 20.8%, 95% CI 16.4, 25.8%). The GMT of these 64 patients was 411.8 U/mL (GSD 6.9) prior to the occurrence of the probable reinfection. Majority (87.5%) were fully vaccinated. Antibody titers significantly affected the risk of developing reinfection, with adjusted hazard ratio of 0.994, 95% CI 0.992-0.996, p<0.001.ConclusionAntibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 increased over a one-year follow-up. Higher antibody levels were observed among those with more severe initial infection and those vaccinated. Higher antibody levels are associated with a lower risk of probable reinfection

Visual short-term memory relates to tau and amyloid burdens in preclinical autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease

Background: Over the past decade, visual short-term memory (VSTM) binding tests have been shown to be one of the most sensitive behavioral indicators of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), especially when they require the binding of multiple features (e.g., color and shape). Recently, it has become possible to directly measure amyloid and tau levels in vivo via positron emission tomography (PET). To this point, these behavioral and neurochemical markers have not been compared in humans with AD or at risk for it. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we compared VSTM performance to tau and amyloid concentrations, measured by PET, in individuals certain to develop AD by virtue of their inheritance of the presenilin-1 E280A mutation. These included 21 clinically unimpaired subjects and 7 subjects with early mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as well as 30 family members who were not carriers of the mutation. Results: We found that VSTM performance correlated strongly with tau in entorhinal cortex and inferior temporal lobe, and also with amyloid when examining asymptomatic carriers only. The condition requiring binding was not preferentially linked to tau—in fact, the non-binding “shape only” condition showed a stronger relationship. Conclusions: The results confirm VSTM’s status as an early marker of AD pathology, and raise interesting questions as to the course of binding-specific versus non-binding aspects of VSTM in early AD

Transcriptional Profiling of Synovial Macrophages Using Minimally Invasive Ultrasoundâ Guided Synovial Biopsies in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144312/1/art40453_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144312/2/art40453.pd

Sleep’s Role in Schema Learning and Creative Insights

Purpose of Review A recent resurgence of interest in schema theory has influenced research on sleep-dependent memory consolidation and led to a new understanding of how schemata might be activated during sleep and play a role in the reorganisation of memories. This review aims to synthesise recent findings into a coherent narrative and draw overall conclusions. Recent Findings Rapid consolidation of schematic memories has been shown to benefit from an interval containing sleep. These memories have shown reduced reliance on the hippocampus following consolidation in both humans and rodents. Using a variety of methodologies, notably including the DRM paradigm, it has been shown that activation of a schema can increase the rate of false memory as a result of activation of semantic associates during slow wave sleep (SWS). Memories making use of a schema have shown increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, which may reflect both the schematic activation itself and a cognitive control component selecting an appropriate schema to use. SWS seems to be involved in assimilation of new memories within existing semantic frameworks and in making memories more explicit, while REM sleep may be more associated with creating entirely novel associations while keeping memories implicit. Summary Sleep plays an important role in schematic memory consolidation, with more rapid consolidation, reduced hippocampal involvement and increased prefrontal involvement as the key characteristics. Both SWS and REM sleep may have a role to play

Вплив рухових здібностей та впевненості у собі на формування навичок потрійного стрибка у молоді 18–20 років: дослідження з використанням пат-аналізу серед студентів коледжу університету

The purpose of the study is to analyze the impact of motor skills and self-confidence on triple jump skills. Materials and methods. The study participants (n = 41) were male college students aged 18–20 years. Regression analysis (path analysis) was used to analyze the interrelationship between motor skills variable variables, self-confidence (exogenous variables) and triple jump skills (endogenous variables). Results. The analysis indicated that there is an influence of motor skills towards triple jump skills with = (r ≥ 0.711; p < 0.000; significant) and a linear determination coefficient (R2 ≥ 0.506) contributing 50.60%. There is an influence of self-confidence on triple jump skills with = (r ≥ 0.707, p < 0.000; significant) and a linear determination coefficient (R2 ≥ 0.50) contributing 50.00%. There is an influence of motor skills on self-confidence with = (r ≥ 0.693, p < 0.000; significant) and a linear determination coefficient (R2 ≥ 0.480) contributing 48.00%. There is an influence of motor skills and self-confidence on triple jump skills with = (r ≥ 0.771, p < 0.000; significant) and a linear determination coefficient (R2 ≥0.594; p < 0.005; significant), the total exogenous variable contribution is 59.40%. Conclusions. Motor skills and self-confidence must be considered by educators or trainers during the training process. Good motor skills and high self-confidence will affect triple jump skills.Целью исследования является анализ влияния двигательных навыков и уверенности в себе на формирование навыков тройного прыжка.­ Материалы и методы. Участниками исследования (n = 41) были студенты колледжа мужского пола в возрасте 18–20 лет. Регрессионный анализ (пат-анализ) использовался для анализа взаимосвязи между переменными двигательных навыков, уверенностью в себе (экзогенные переменные) и навыками тройного прыжка (эндогенные переменные). Результаты. Анализ показал, что двигательные навыки влияют на навыки тройного прыжка (r ≥0,711; p <0,000, значение достоверны) и линейный коэффициент детерминации (R2 ≥0,506) с вкладом 50,60%. Уверенность в себе влияет на навыки тройного прыжка (r ≥0,707; p < 0,000, значение достоверны) и линейный коэффициент детерминации (R2 ≥ 0,50) с вкладом 50,00%. Двигательные навыки влияют на уверенность в себе (r ≥0,693; p <  0,000, значение достоверны) и линейный коэффициент детерминации (R2 ≥ 0,480) с вкладом 48,00%. Двигательные навыки и уверенность в себе влияют на навыки тройного прыжка (r ≥0,771; p < 0,000, значение достоверны) и линейный коэффициент детерминации (R2 ≥ 0,594; p < 0,005, значение достоверное), общий вклад экзогенной переменной 59,40%. Выводы. Педагоги или тренеры должны учитывать важность двигательных навыков и уверенности в себе во время тренировочного процесса. Хорошо развитые двигательные навыки и высокий уровень уверенности в себе влияют на развитие навыков тройного прыжка.Метою дослідження є аналіз впливу рухових навичок та впевненості у собі на розвиток навичок потрійного стрибка. Матеріали і методи. Учасниками дослідження (n = 41) були студенти коледжу чоловічої статі віком 18–20 років. Регресійний аналіз (пат-аналіз) використовувався для аналізу взаємозв’язку між змінними рухових навичок, впевненістю у собі (екзогенні змінні) та навичками потрійного стрибка (ендогенні змінні). Результати. Аналіз показав, що рухові навич­ки впливають на навички потрійного стрибка (r ≥ 0,711; p < 0,000; значення достовірні) та лінійний коефіцієнт детермінації (R2 ≥0,506) із внеском 50,60%. Впевненість у собі впливає на навички потрійного стрибка (r ≥ 0,707, p < 0,000; значення достовірні) та лінійний коефіцієнт детермінації (R2 ≥ 0,50) із внеском 50,00%. Рухові навички впливають на впевненість у собі (r ≥ 0,693, p < 0,000; значення достовірні) та лінійний коефіцієнт детермінації (R2 ≥ 0,480) із внеском 48,00%. Рухові навички та впевненість у собі впливають на навички потрійного стрибка (r ≥ 0,771, p < 0,000; значення достовірні) та лінійний коефіцієнт детермінації (R2 ≥ 0,594; p < 0,005; значення достовірне), загальний внесок екзогенної змінної 59,40 %. Висновки. Педагоги або тренери мають враховувати важливість рухових навичок та впевненості у собі під час тренувального процесу. Добре розвинені рухові навички та високий рівень впевненості у собі впливають на розвиток навичок потрійного стрибка