During the exponential growth phase, high PPi levels (approximate

During the exponential growth phase, high PPi levels (approximately

4 ± 2 mM) and relatively low ATP levels (0.43 ± 0.07 mM) were found, and the PPi/ATP ratio decreased 13-fold when the cells entered the stationary phase. Pyruvate kinase activity appeared to be allosterically affected by PPi. Altogether, these findings suggest an important role for PPi in the central energy metabolism of C. saccharolyticus. The extremely thermophilic and strictly anaerobic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus belongs to the class of the Clostridia. This bacterium has potential for industrial applications because Selleckchem Quizartinib of its ability (1) to produce high hydrogen levels (de Vrije et al., 2007), (2) to grow on complex lignocellulosic material (Ivanova et al.,

2008; de Vrije et al., 2009) and (3) to cometabolize a number of monosaccharides without revealing any form of carbon catabolite repression (van de Werken et al., 2008; VanFossen et al., 2009). For these reasons, C. saccharolyticus recently became the subject of various research projects focusing on renewable energy production (van Niel et al., 2002; Ivanova et al., 2008; de Vrije et al., 2009). The classical Embden–Meyerhof (EM) pathway is the main route of glycolysis in this organism (de Vrije et al., 2007), and analysis of the C. saccharolyticus genome sequence has revealed the presence of all the EM-pathway enzymes (van de Werken et al., 2008). However, the authors of this study indicated further that the C. saccharolyticus genome contains genes coding for an inorganic Natural Product Library cost pyrophosphate (PPi)-dependent pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK) in addition to the pyruvate kinase (PK). Genes coding for typical gluconeogenic enzymes such as pyruvate water dikinase (or PEP synthase) and fructose bisphosphatase Cediranib (AZD2171) are absent (van de Werken et al., 2008). Interestingly, recent studies on the acetate–lactate metabolic shift in C. saccharolyticus revealed that PPi is a strong modulator of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (Willquist & van Niel, 2010). These observations motivated us to investigate

the role of PPi in the energy metabolism of C. saccharolyticus. PPi-dependent reactions have regularly been described for plants and primitive eukaryotes (Heinonen, 2001). However, little is known about PPi dependency in heterotrophic prokaryotes. Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus DSM 8903 (Rainey et al., 1994) was purchased from the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen. For the enzyme and nucleotide measurements, cell extracts (CEs) were prepared from C. saccharolyticus cells, which were cultured batchwise in pH-controlled reactors and in a medium as described previously (van de Werken et al., 2008; Willquist et al., 2009), using glucose as a carbon source (4 g L−1 for the determination of enzyme levels and 10 g L−1 for the determination of nucleotide levels). For the determination of nucleotide levels, the working volume was 1.7 L to minimize the effect of sampling on the culture.

During the exponential growth phase, high PPi levels (approximate

During the exponential growth phase, high PPi levels (approximately

4 ± 2 mM) and relatively low ATP levels (0.43 ± 0.07 mM) were found, and the PPi/ATP ratio decreased 13-fold when the cells entered the stationary phase. Pyruvate kinase activity appeared to be allosterically affected by PPi. Altogether, these findings suggest an important role for PPi in the central energy metabolism of C. saccharolyticus. The extremely thermophilic and strictly anaerobic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus belongs to the class of the Clostridia. This bacterium has potential for industrial applications because learn more of its ability (1) to produce high hydrogen levels (de Vrije et al., 2007), (2) to grow on complex lignocellulosic material (Ivanova et al.,

2008; de Vrije et al., 2009) and (3) to cometabolize a number of monosaccharides without revealing any form of carbon catabolite repression (van de Werken et al., 2008; VanFossen et al., 2009). For these reasons, C. saccharolyticus recently became the subject of various research projects focusing on renewable energy production (van Niel et al., 2002; Ivanova et al., 2008; de Vrije et al., 2009). The classical Embden–Meyerhof (EM) pathway is the main route of glycolysis in this organism (de Vrije et al., 2007), and analysis of the C. saccharolyticus genome sequence has revealed the presence of all the EM-pathway enzymes (van de Werken et al., 2008). However, the authors of this study indicated further that the C. saccharolyticus genome contains genes coding for an inorganic IWR-1 solubility dmso pyrophosphate (PPi)-dependent pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK) in addition to the pyruvate kinase (PK). Genes coding for typical gluconeogenic enzymes such as pyruvate water dikinase (or PEP synthase) and fructose bisphosphatase Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin are absent (van de Werken et al., 2008). Interestingly, recent studies on the acetate–lactate metabolic shift in C. saccharolyticus revealed that PPi is a strong modulator of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (Willquist & van Niel, 2010). These observations motivated us to investigate

the role of PPi in the energy metabolism of C. saccharolyticus. PPi-dependent reactions have regularly been described for plants and primitive eukaryotes (Heinonen, 2001). However, little is known about PPi dependency in heterotrophic prokaryotes. Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus DSM 8903 (Rainey et al., 1994) was purchased from the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen. For the enzyme and nucleotide measurements, cell extracts (CEs) were prepared from C. saccharolyticus cells, which were cultured batchwise in pH-controlled reactors and in a medium as described previously (van de Werken et al., 2008; Willquist et al., 2009), using glucose as a carbon source (4 g L−1 for the determination of enzyme levels and 10 g L−1 for the determination of nucleotide levels). For the determination of nucleotide levels, the working volume was 1.7 L to minimize the effect of sampling on the culture.

, 1995) Psuedomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that

, 1995). Psuedomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that accounts for a considerable portion of hospital-acquired infections and is also a common source of infection for sufferers of cystic fibrosis (CF). Psuedomonas aeruginosa uses two HL signaling systems, which combined regulate over 300 genes (Schuster & Peter Greenberg, 2006), many of which are implicated in virulence factor production. HL signaling results in extensive changes in gene expression affecting secondary metabolism,

sporulation, the elaboration of virulence factors and the formation of biofilms (Schuster & Peter Greenberg, 2006). Because HL concentration in the extracellular medium increases with population density, the system allows bacteria to coordinate population-wide gene expression simultaneously. Studies have find more shown that another related HL produced by P. aeruginosa was able to abrogate Candida albicans filamentation (Hogan & Kolter, 2002; Hogan et al., 2004), a virulence trait. This study provides a striking example of competitive exclusion because restricting the ability of C. albicans to transition between morphotypes

(an important virulence trait) presumably gives P. aeruginosa a competitive advantage. HLs play a central role in regulating and coordinating infection. As a result, considerable research has been directed at identifying inhibitor HL systems. For example, a tetrazole with a 12C alkyl tail (Muh et al., 2006) was recently identified as an effective inhibitor (IC50=30 nM) of P. aeruginosa. Importantly, this molecule may not interfere with the growth of P. check details aeruginosa. This means that while highly effective

at disrupting the machinery used to coordinate infection, the compound does not create a strong selective pressure to develop resistance unlike current therapeutics. This is another emerging common theme among chemical inhibitors of small-molecule signals. Vibrio cholerae is the etiological agent of the debilitating human disease cholera. While V. cholerae uses the autoinducer-2 (AI-2, described in Etomidate more detail later in the review) like many other bacterial species, in addition, it also uses a unique autoinducer, cholerae autoinducer 1 (CAI-1), an α-hydroxyketone. CAI-1 serves to terminate host colonization, halting biofilm formation and virulence factor expression (Higgins et al., 2007). This observation is consistent with V. cholerae’s transmission route, where bacteria leave the host simultaneously during the onset of the diarrhea that characterizes the illness. Thus, host colonization and biofilm formation continue until the population reaches a sufficient density, at which point the bacteria reverse the colonization process to spread to other hosts. Exploiting the small-molecule signaling involved in V. cholerae infection is quite simple, as introducing high concentrations of the HL autoinducer will terminate host colonization, thus ending the infection.

Results reveal that stereotaxic injection of LV-miR124a in the DL

Results reveal that stereotaxic injection of LV-miR124a in the DLS enhances ethanol-induced

CPP as well as voluntary alcohol consumption in a two-bottle choice drinking paradigm. Moreover, miR124a-silencer (LV-siR124a) as well as LV-BDNF infusion in the DLS attenuates ethanol-induced CPP as well as voluntary alcohol consumption. Importantly, LV-miR124a, LV-siR124a and LV-BDNF have no effect on saccharin and quinine intake. Our findings indicate that striatal miR124a and BDNF signaling have crucial roles in alcohol consumption and ethanol conditioned reward. “
“Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA Flavobacterium psychrophilum is the causative agent of bacterial coldwater PD-166866 ic50 disease and can cause significant mortality in salmonid aquaculture. To better evaluate disease prevention or treatment methods for F. psychrophilum in the laboratory, a waterborne challenge model that mimics a natural outbreak is needed. Here we report on the development of a waterborne challenge model for F. psychrophilum in which we incorporated variables that may influence challenge success: specifically, scarification prior to bacterial exposure and culture of F. psychrophilum under iron-limited culture conditions to potentially increase the probability

of establishing STA-9090 in vitro disease. Additionally, two F. psychrophilum strains, CSF 259-93 and THC 02-90, were used in this model to test whether there were virulence differences between strains. Mortality was significantly higher in scarred fish than unscarred fish (81.5 vs. 19.4%), supporting the hypothesis that disruptions in the dermal layer enhance mortality in F. psychrophilum waterborne during challenges. Although mortality differences were not significant between iron-replete and iron-limited treatments, mortality was high overall (> 30%). There was a significant difference in mortality between CSF 259-93 and THC 02-90 treatments, although both strains caused high mortality in injection challenges. In conclusion, this waterborne challenge model can be used to evaluate potential disease

prevention and treatment methods. “
“We examined O157:non-H7 strains isolated from various sources and geographical locations and found 15/57 strains to carry eae alleles, including α, β, ɛ and κ/δ, suggesting that these strains may be prevalent. All strains were serologically and genetically confirmed to be O157, but none were the H7 serotype or carried any trait virulence factors of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 serotype. Genetic H typing of the eae-positive strains showed that the α-eae-bearing strain was H45, while the β- and ɛ-eae strains were H16 and the κ/δ-eae strains were H39. The β- and ɛ-eae-bearing O157:H16 strains shared ∼90% pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) similarity and were distinct from the other strains that had other eae alleles.

The clinical cohort project Clinical Surveillance of HIV Disease

The clinical cohort project Clinical Surveillance of HIV Disease in Germany (ClinSurv HIV) was initiated in 1999 as a collaboration between major HIV treatment centres and the RKI. During the implementation period the project was supported by the BMG, and subsequently for a limited time by the German Ministry for Education and Research [Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)]. The study design allows us to assess the associations between demographic and clinical characteristics, different treatment regimens and trends

of disease progression over time under routine Selleck Navitoclax clinical care conditions. The cohort represents the clinical reality of HIV treatment AG-014699 manufacturer and care for a large proportion of HIV-infected patients in Germany. Comparable cohort studies currently under way in other European countries are the UK Collaborative HIV Cohort (CHIC) Study [7], the Italian Cohort of Patients Naïve to Antiretrovirals (ICONA) [8] and the Swiss Cohort Study (SHCS) [9]. Each of these cohorts includes a more or less representative sample of national treatment centres specializing in HIV care. They monitor changes over time in factors such as the frequency of AIDS-defining illnesses, survival and, more generally, the progression of HIV disease, and the uptake of and response to

ART; they also identify factors associated with virological and immunological response to ART, or the clinical outcome of ART in general. The aim of this paper is to Oxalosuccinic acid give an overview of 10 years of data collection and continuous publication of results from the German ClinSurv HIV project. The objective of this cohort study is to make a significant contribution to the literature addressing current and future epidemiological and clinical research questions in European countries such as Germany

with a concentrated HIV epidemic. The ClinSurv HIV project is a clinical epidemiological network and is designed as a multicentre open observational cohort study. The prospective enrolment of patients started on 1 January 1999. In all, 18 experienced HIV treatment centres have contributed data since the start of the cohort study. Currently, 11 centres continue to enrol patients actively and prospectively, fulfilling defined data quality control criteria. Data from two additional treatment centres are included; however, these centres do not enrol additional patients prospectively. The majority of the centres are out-patient departments (OPDs) at university hospitals with computer-based documentation systems. Some of the centres are OPDs directed by private practitioners. All centres are authorized to treat patients in the national public health assurance system.

Only the high-iron cells produced magnetosomes Transmission elec

Only the high-iron cells produced magnetosomes. Transmission electron microscopy observations revealed Linsitinib molecular weight that magnetosome formation began at 6 h and crystal maturation occurred from 10 to 18 h. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that expression of these genes increased during cell growth and magnetosome synthesis, particularly for ferric reductase gene (fer6) and ferrous transport system-related genes feoAB1, feoAB2, sodB, and katG. The low-iron cells showed increased expression of feoAB1 and feoB2 from 12 to 18 h but no

clear expression changes for the other genes. Expression patterns of the genes were divided by hierarchical clustering into four clusters for the high-iron cells and three clusters for the low-iron cells. Each cluster included both iron and oxygen metabolism genes showing similar expression patterns. The findings indicate the coordination and co-dependence of iron and oxygen selleck products metabolism gene activity to achieve a balance during the biomineralization process. Future transcriptome analysis will help elucidate the mechanism of biomineralization in MSR-1 magnetosome formation. “
“Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) associates with nontoxic nonhemagglutinin (NTNHA) yielding a complex in culture. BoNT and NTNHA have similar domain organizations, implying that they share common functions, although this remains unclear. Here, we examined cell monolayer transport of serotype D NTNHA in

Rebamipide the rat intestinal epithelial cell line IEC-6. NTNHA and BoNT both bound to the cell and were transported across the cell layer. NTNHA contains a QXW motif and a β-trefoil fold, both common in sugar chain–recognizing proteins, whereas the QXW motif is absent in all BoNT serotypes. This could explain the distinct sugar chain–recognizing properties of NTNHA and BoNT. “
“Clostridium difficile

(CD) can cause a significant and transmissible disease in animals and humans, with poorly understood epidemiology. Animals have been suggested as a possible source of infection and environment contamination. It is necessary that a precise and rapid diagnostic tool is available for the detection of CD from clinical and/or environmental samples. A quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) protocol for CD detection defined by Penders et al. (FEMS Microbiol Lett, 243, 2005, 141–147) was modified. The modified protocol, supported by a novel extraction method, was tested on CD-spiked cattle feces and clinical fecal samples from calves. Quantification was performed targeting CD 16S rRNA gene. Three different commonly used TaqMan universal PCR master mixes were also compared. Results indicate that the modified protocol is very sensitive with an LOD of 7.72 CD cells per g CD-spiked feces. The protocol is capable of precise quantification with an LOQ of 77.2 CD cells per g CD-spiked feces, R2 between 0.9957 and 0.9968, isolation efficiency from 87.89% to 90.96%, and an interassay CV ranging from 3.71% to 9.57%.

Only the high-iron cells produced magnetosomes Transmission elec

Only the high-iron cells produced magnetosomes. Transmission electron microscopy observations revealed Epigenetic inhibitor libraries that magnetosome formation began at 6 h and crystal maturation occurred from 10 to 18 h. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that expression of these genes increased during cell growth and magnetosome synthesis, particularly for ferric reductase gene (fer6) and ferrous transport system-related genes feoAB1, feoAB2, sodB, and katG. The low-iron cells showed increased expression of feoAB1 and feoB2 from 12 to 18 h but no

clear expression changes for the other genes. Expression patterns of the genes were divided by hierarchical clustering into four clusters for the high-iron cells and three clusters for the low-iron cells. Each cluster included both iron and oxygen metabolism genes showing similar expression patterns. The findings indicate the coordination and co-dependence of iron and oxygen this website metabolism gene activity to achieve a balance during the biomineralization process. Future transcriptome analysis will help elucidate the mechanism of biomineralization in MSR-1 magnetosome formation. “
“Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) associates with nontoxic nonhemagglutinin (NTNHA) yielding a complex in culture. BoNT and NTNHA have similar domain organizations, implying that they share common functions, although this remains unclear. Here, we examined cell monolayer transport of serotype D NTNHA in

Amino acid the rat intestinal epithelial cell line IEC-6. NTNHA and BoNT both bound to the cell and were transported across the cell layer. NTNHA contains a QXW motif and a β-trefoil fold, both common in sugar chain–recognizing proteins, whereas the QXW motif is absent in all BoNT serotypes. This could explain the distinct sugar chain–recognizing properties of NTNHA and BoNT. “
“Clostridium difficile

(CD) can cause a significant and transmissible disease in animals and humans, with poorly understood epidemiology. Animals have been suggested as a possible source of infection and environment contamination. It is necessary that a precise and rapid diagnostic tool is available for the detection of CD from clinical and/or environmental samples. A quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) protocol for CD detection defined by Penders et al. (FEMS Microbiol Lett, 243, 2005, 141–147) was modified. The modified protocol, supported by a novel extraction method, was tested on CD-spiked cattle feces and clinical fecal samples from calves. Quantification was performed targeting CD 16S rRNA gene. Three different commonly used TaqMan universal PCR master mixes were also compared. Results indicate that the modified protocol is very sensitive with an LOD of 7.72 CD cells per g CD-spiked feces. The protocol is capable of precise quantification with an LOQ of 77.2 CD cells per g CD-spiked feces, R2 between 0.9957 and 0.9968, isolation efficiency from 87.89% to 90.96%, and an interassay CV ranging from 3.71% to 9.57%.

Respondents spent a median of 9 days abroad, longer among patient

Respondents spent a median of 9 days abroad, longer among patients with Salmonella than those with Campylobacter (12 vs 8 d, p < 0.0001). The median time between return and illness onset was 2 days. Most travelers had returned from Western Europe and North America (53.7%), Africa and the Middle East (20.8%), and South Asia (11.6%). A history of travel to Africa and the Middle East was more common among patients with Salmonella than those with Campylobacter (26.2% vs 17.9%, respectively, p < 0.0001), and of these Salmonella

cases, most had returned from Turkey (25.4%), Egypt (24.8%), or Tunisia (17.1%). Patients with Campylobacter were more often returnees from Europe or North America (46.7% vs 57.4%, p < 0.0001). Comparing foreign travel information from the national laboratory surveillance with Tanespimycin supplier travel information from CLASSP, laboratory form information was highly predictive for “true” travel for both pathogens (>90%, Table 2). Conversely, the proportion of travelers correctly identified through laboratory forms (sensitivity) was very low in both estimates. Including missing information as non-travel, sensitivity estimates were 45.1% (CI 43.1%–47.2%) for Salmonella and 3.0% (CI 2.7%–3.3%) for Campylobacter. Even excluding cases with missing travel information, sensitivity was estimated with 73.1% (CI 70.5%–75.7%) and 29.1% (CI

26.2%–31.9%) for Salmonella and Campylobacter cases, respectively. The difference in travel-ascertainment was significantly higher for patients with Salmonella compared with Campylobacter

(p < 0.0001, Table 2). Almost one quarter of all patients with reported Salmonella www.selleckchem.com/products/crenolanib-cp-868596.html or Campylobacter had a travel history, but travel histories were more common in Salmonella cases. Current levels of travel history under-ascertainment and misclassification within laboratory surveillance in England are very high, particularly in patients with Campylobacter. Missing travel information will be routinely interpreted by laboratories as non-travel; we therefore calculated two estimates. However, even excluding Interleukin-2 receptor cases with missing data (assuming random distribution), travel ascertainment within laboratory surveillance remains low. The burden of travel-associated gastrointestinal illness in the UK is significant. Using suggested adjustment factors7 for underreporting, we estimate 29,053 Salmonella and 439,067 Campylobacter cases in England and Wales in 2009.1 Including missing travel information as non-travel, a total of 13,103 Salmonella and 78,154 Campylobacter cases would have been travel-associated, with unknown travel histories in more than half (7,194) of Salmonella cases and more than 97% (75,809) of Campylobacter cases. Pathogens causing travelers’ diarrhea vary between world regions8 and accurate travel histories provide valuable information for laboratory services to facilitate diagnosis and, allowing expanded routine testing, facilitate appropriate treatment.

All charts were abstracted by both reviewers to a standardized da

All charts were abstracted by both reviewers to a standardized data abstraction form, and discrepancies in interpretation were resolved by review and discussion of the information in question. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corp., Seattle, WA, USA)

and SAS version 9.1.3 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Descriptive statistics were calculated on all patients for whom data were available. The CHOA Institutional Review Board approved this study. We identified a total of 50 children with blood smear-confirmed malaria out of a total of 385 children who had malarial smears performed during the study period. Three children had smears sent selleck chemicals llc twice, several years apart. Only 3% (10 children) without malaria had more than one slide sent. The mean age of infected children was 8.1 years (1.1–16.8 y, interquartile range 6–10 y), and 60% were

boys. In 42 patients a travel reason was recorded; 15 patients (37%) had been living abroad (eight immigrants, five refugees, two visitors from abroad to the United States), while 26 (62%) were US citizens visiting friends and relatives in the country of the parents’ origin. One patient was traveling for other reasons. The median duration of travel was 30 days (14–75 d). The median time from arrival in the United States until presentation was 10 days, with 25% of children presenting within 7 days (1–365 d, N = 37). Most cases presented in the summer (May to August). None of the cases presenting after 28 days had Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Two cases presented a year after travel: one with Plasmodium vivax and the other Sirolimus cell line with Plasmodium ovale. A previous history of malaria was reported in 73% of patients (22 of 30 patients); however, it is unclear whether these represent presumptive or microscopic diagnoses. In Table 1 we show the countries visited

by the 43 children for whom we have travel data. Of note, 93% reported travel to Africa, Nigeria being the most commonly visited country (51%), followed by Cameroon (14%); all other countries accounted for only one to two cases. Only two cases presented from the Americas: one from Haiti presented with P. falciparum, while the other, from Guatemala, presented with P. vivax. Fever was the most common symptom, present in 97.6%, followed by vomiting Obatoclax Mesylate (GX15-070) (34%). Fever was present for a mean of 4 days (1–11 d) prior to presentation. Hepatomegaly was present in 28% and splenomegaly in 20%. Headache was reported in 20% of patients; all of the patients with headache also reported fever. Abdominal pain was reported in 20%; one patient reported abdominal pain without fever. Diarrhea was present in three cases, all had fever but only one reported vomiting, and none reported abdominal pain. Myalgias were reported in 10% and malaise or fatigue in 6%. Three patients presented with sore throat and fever, one of whom also had vomiting. Three patients had jaundice.


“To evaluate the disease activity and current pharmacologi


“To evaluate the disease activity and current pharmacological interventions used to achieve remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in Australia. Rheumatoid arthritis patients treated in participating Australian clinics were included in the study. Patient demographics, disease onset, medications and disease measures were analyzed. Data, de-identified to the patient, clinic and clinician were captured using an electronic this website clinical management program. The disease activity score

(DAS28) was used to classify patients into the disease activity states of remission, low disease activity (LDA), moderate disease activity (MDA) and high disease activity (HDA). Choice of therapy was at the discretion of the treating clinician. A total of 5686 patients, 72.9% female, 26.9% male, with mean age 61.1 (SD 13.6) years

and mean disease duration of 11.5 (SD 10.5) HSP inhibitor cancer years were analyzed. DAS28 ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) scores were recorded for 2973 patients, with 41.6% in remission, 18.6% LDA, 31.6% MDA and 8.2% HDA. Of those in remission, 17% received a biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (bDMARD), 73% methotrexate (MTX), 19% leflunomide (LEF) and 28% prednisolone. Of the patients with MDA, 20% received a bDMARD, 76% MTX, 24% LEF and 39% prednisolone. Of the patients in HDA, 27% received a bDMARD, 78% MTX, 31% LEF and 60% with prednisolone. Cross-sectional assessment of this large cohort of Australian RA patients found a large proportion remain in moderate or high disease activity; suggesting a considerable evidence–practice gap. Improvement in disease control in this group may reduce future health burdens. “
“To describe the clinical manifestations, disease activity and organ damage in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR damage index (SDI) were assessed in patients with SLE from 1998 to 2012. A total of 996 SLE patients were analyzed. The common accrual of ACR criteria included: immunologic (93%), hematologic (93%), arthritic (66%) and nephritic (50%). In the inception cohort over 10 years of follow-up Arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (n = 120), the number of ACR criteria increased significantly (5.0 ± 1.2 to 5.7 ± 1.3), and nephritis, serositis and neuropsychiatric symptoms tended to increase continuously over time. SLEDAI-2K decreased significantly (5.6 ± 3.4 to 4.1 ± 1.2), but the percentage of patients with SLEDAI scores ≥ 12 did not decrease over time. The common organ damages were musculoskeletal (14.9%) and renal (11.1%). The mean SDI score increased significantly (0.4 ± 0.8 to 1.1 ± 1.6) and renal damage had two peaks in 1 and 6–10 years, musculoskeletal and neuropsychiatric damage were predominant from 1 to 5 years, and ophthalmic damage increased sharply over 10 years.