Publisher Correction: A novel two-score system for interferon status segregates autoimmune diseases and correlates with clinical features.

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A novel two-score system for interferon status segregates autoimmune diseases and correlates with clinical features.

Measurement of type I interferon (IFN-I) has potential to diagnose and stratify autoimmune diseases, but existing results have been inconsistent. Interferon-stimulated-gene (ISG) based methods may be affected by the modularity of the ISG transcriptome, cell-specific expression, response to IFN-subtypes and bimodality of expression. We developed and clinically validated a 2-score system (IFN-Score-A and -B) using Factor Analysis of 31 ISGs measured by TaqMan selected from 3-IFN-annotated modules. We evaluated these scores using in-vitro IFN stimulation as well as in sorted cells then clinically validated in a cohort of 328 autoimmune disease patients and healthy controls. ISGs varied in response to IFN-subtypes and both scores varied between cell subsets. IFN-Score-A differentiated Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) from both Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Healthy Controls (HC) (both p < 0.001), while IFN-Score-B differentiated SLE and RA from HC (both p < 0.001). In SLE, both scores were associated with cutaneous and hematological (all p < 0.05) but not musculoskeletal disease activity. Comparing with bimodal (IFN-high/low) classification, significant differences in IFN-scores were found between diagnostic groups within the IFN-high group. Our continuous 2-score system is more clinically relevant than a simple bimodal classification of IFN status. This system should allow improvement in diagnosis, stratification, and therapy in IFN-mediated autoimmunity.

The radiological assessment of body fat.

A radiological method for assessment of obesity is described. A radiograph of the soft tissues of the upper arm is obtained and the subcutaneous fat layer measured. The results obtained by this method have been compared with those using a skinfold caliper and with the ponderal index, calculated from the height and weight of the subject. A highly significant correlation was found. The radiological method has several advantages: it leaves a permanent record, it is accurate in obese persons when the skinfold caliper cannot be used, and unlike the ponderal index it is not influenced by weight increases due to causes other than fat accumulation.

Malignant cold thyroid nodules in hyperthyroidism.

In 65 hyperthyroid patients with a cold nodule a carcinoma was found at operation in 14 cases, i.e. a malignancy incidence of 21-5 per cent. In 859 euthyroid cases with a cold thyroid nodule 104 malignant lesions (12-1 per cent) were found. The difference is statistically significant. Surgery in cases with a cold thyroid nodule is strongly indicated if this occurs in a hyperthyroid gland.

Thyroid scanning with gallium-67 and cesium-131.

The roles of 131Cs and 67Ga in the evaluation of solitary thyroid nodules were investigated. Radionuclide scans were performed with 67Ga and 131I in 27 patients and with 131Cs and 131I in 43 patients. Gallium-67 detected only two of eight malignant nonfunctioning nodules and 131Cs detected one of three such nodules. The contribution of 131Cs and 67Ga to the preoperative identification of malignant thyroid lesions is of doubtful value.