Table of contents
January 2007 Volume 3 No 1
Editorial
Viewpoint
The future of imaging in monitoring biologic therapy
2Imaging techniques such as MRI and musculoskeletal ultrasound are becoming increasingly important in the management of patients with rheumatic disease. In this Viewpoint, Dr Freeston and Dr Emery discuss the role of advanced imaging modalities with regards to the use of biologic therapy in patients with rheumatic disease.
Research Highlights
Tocilizumab improves disease activity in patients with RA
4Treatment of amyloid A amyloidosis with tocilizumab
4Imatinib mesylate shows promise as a treatment for RA
4Inability to eliminate self-reactive and polyreactive immature B cells is a feature of SLE
5High-sensitivity C-reactive protein test results predict fracture risk in elderly women
5Ethnic variation in SLE outcomes and manifestations in Canada
6Plasma adrenomedullin is a potential marker of SLE disease activity
6Pamidronate relieves the pain of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
7Anterior uveitis in patients with spondyloarthropathies
7The IL10 gene is associated with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis
8BDNF polymorphism is a potential biomarker of cognitive dysfunction in SLE
9Practice Points
Alendronate versus alfacalcidol in the prevention of glucocorticoid-induced bone loss
10Do antirheumatic drugs increase the risk of acute myocardial infarction?
12Tumor necrosis factor antagonists and cancer in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
14Frequency of COX2-inhibitor use in the clinic prior to market withdrawals
16Reviews
Strategies for primary and secondary prevention of Lyme disease
20The incidence of Lyme disease continues to increase despite the availability of effective prevention strategies for this disease. In this article the authors outline the various prevention strategies and discuss a rationale for promoting the use of preventative behaviors in people who are at risk of contracting this disease.
doi:10.1038/ncprheum0374 | Full Text | PDF (189K)
Drug Insight: resistance to methotrexate and other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs—from bench to bedside
26Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, but prolonged usage often results in drug related toxicity, loss of effi cacy, or both. The molecular mechanisms that might be involved in the development of resistance to such drugs, and strategies to overcome this phenomenon, are outlined.
doi:10.1038/ncprheum0380 | Full Text | PDF (253K)
Technology Insight: the role of color and power Doppler ultrasonography in rheumatology
35Most ultrasound machines can now perform color and power Doppler ultrasonography, which can be used to assess synovitis, tenosynovitis, enthesitis and vascular disease. This Review discusses musculoskeletal and vascular Doppler ultrasonography and provides advice for the rheumatologist on how to make the most of these techniques.
doi:10.1038/ncprheum0377 | Full Text | PDF (363K)
Mechanisms of Disease: leukotrienes and lipoxins in scleroderma lung disease—insights and potential therapeutic implications
43The leading cause of mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis is scleroderma interstitial lung disease. Leukotrienes and lipoxins are thought to be key mediators of the inflamatory response, and how these lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoids might contribute to the pathogenesis of scleroderma interstitial lung disease is discussed in this article, along with possible approaches for treatment.
doi:10.1038/ncprheum0375 | Full Text | PDF (302K)
Mechanisms of Disease: the role of high-mobility group protein 1 in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis
52High mobility group box 1 protein is a dual function alarmin that can activate innate immune responses. Extracellular levels of this protein are increased in patients and animals with inflammatory diseases and it might, therefore, represent a new target for therapy of inflammatory arthritis, as outlined in this Review.
doi:10.1038/ncprheum0379 | Full Text | PDF (225K)
