Comprehensive analyses of long non-coding RNA expression profiles by RNA sequencing and exploration of their potency as biomarkers in psoriatic arthritis patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to investigate the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression profiles in psoriatic arthritis (PSA) patients by RNA sequencing, and to further explore potential biomarkers that were able to predict PSA risk and activity. METHODS: LncRNA and mRNA expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 4 PSA patients and 4 normal controls (NCs) were detected by RNA sequencing, followed by comprehensive bioinformatic analyses. Subsequently, 3 top upregulated and 2 top downregulated lncRNAs were chosen for further validation in 93 PSA patients and 93 NCs by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. RESULTS: Totally 76 upregulated and 54 downregulated lncRNAs, as well as 231 upregulated and 102 downregulated mRNAs were discovered in PSA patients compared with NCs. Enrichment analyses revealed that they were mostly associated with nucleosome, extracellular exosome and extracellular matrix, and the top enriched pathways were systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), alcoholism and viral carcinogenesis. qPCR assay showed that lnc-RP11-701H24.7 and lnc-RNU12 were upregulated in PSA patients compared with NCs, and they could predict PSA risk with high area under curves. Besides, lnc-RP11-701H24.7 was positively associated with ESR, SJC, TJC and pain VAS score while lnc-RNU12 was positively correlated with PASI score, CRP and PGA score, implying that both of them were positively correlated with disease activity. CONCLUSION: Our study facilitates comprehensive understanding of lncRNA expression profiles in PSA pathogenesis, and discovers that lnc-RP11-701H24.7 and lnc-RNU12 might be served as novel biomarkers for PSA risk and activity.

Correlation of microRNA expression profile with clinical response to tumor necrosis factor inhibitor in treating rheumatoid arthritis patients: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the correlation of circulating microRNA (miRNA) expression profile with clinical response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. METHODS: Baseline PBMC samples from eight responders and eight non-responders after 24-week TNF inhibitor (etanercept) treatment were subjected to miRNA microarray. Then, top 10 dysregulated miRNAs were selected and further validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in baseline PBMC samples from 92 RA patients treated with 24-week TNF inhibitor (etanercept). Responders and non-responders were divided referring to the decline in disease activity score in 28 joints. RESULTS: In microarray assay, total 59 upregulated and 78 downregulated miRNAs were identified in responders compared to non-responders, which were mainly enriched in regulating immune- and inflammation-related biological processes and pathways. The top 10 dysregulated miRNAs were as follows: miR-192-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-19b-3p, miR-320c, miR-335-5p, miR-149-3p, miR-766-3p, let-7a-5p, miR-24-3p, and miR-1226-5p. In qPCR validation, miR-146a-5p was increased, while let-7a-5p was decreased in responders compared with non-responders. Multivariate logistic analysis illuminated that miR-146a-5p and CRP independently correlated with higher clinical response, while let-7a-5p and biologics history independently associated with lower clinical response. Subsequently, receiver operating characteristic curve showed that combination of these four independent factors presented with a great predictive value for clinical response with area under curve: 0.863, 95% CI 0.781-0.945. CONCLUSION: miRNA expression profile is closely implicated in the treatment efficacy of TNF inhibitor, and combined measurement of miR-146a-5p, let-7a-5p, CRP, and biologics history disclosed a great predictive value for clinical response to TNF inhibitor in RA patients.

Ginger supplement significantly reduced length of hospital stay in individuals with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from previous studies has suggested that ginger extract exhibits the potential as an alternative treatment for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here, we want to investigate whether ginger supplement improves the clinical manifestation of hospitalized COVID-19 individuals. METHODS: A total of 227 hospitalized individuals with COVID-19 were randomized to either the control (n = 132) or intervention group (n = 95). The intervention group took ginger supplement orally at the dosage of 1.5 g twice daily, until they were discharged from the hospital. Both groups received the same standard of general medical care during hospitalization, and the length of stay was recorded and compared between groups. RESULTS: Among all participants, a significant reduction in hospitalization time (the difference between the treatment and control groups was 2.4 d, 95% CI 1.6-3.2) was detected in response to the ginger supplement. This effect was more pronounced in men, participants aged 60 years or older, and participants with pre-existing medical conditions, relative to their counterparts (P-interactions < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Ginger supplement significantly shortened the length of stay of hospitalized individuals with COVID-19. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200059824).

The risk factors for nosocomial infection in chinese patients with active rheumatoid arthritis in shanghai.

Objective. To analyse the potential risk factors of nosocomial infections in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. A total of 2452 active RA patients at Hospitals in Shanghai between January 2009 and February 2011 were analyzed. Their demographic and clinical characteristics were compared with those without infection, and the potential risk factors were determined by logistic regression analysis. Results. Multivariate analysis indicated the gender (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.53-0.92), duration in hospital (OR = 1.03 , 95%CI 1.01-1.05), number of organs involved (OR = 0.82, 95%CI 0.72-0.92), number of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs ((DMARDs) (OR = 1.22, 95%CI 1.061-1.40)), corticosteroid therapy (OR = 1.02, 95%CI 1.01-1.03), peripheral white blood cell counts ((WBC) (OR = 1.04, 95%CI 1.00-1.08)), levels of serum albumin (OR = 0.98, 95%CI 0.97-0.99), and C-reactive protein ((CRP) (OR = 1.03 , 95%CI 1.01-1.04)) that were significantly associated with the risk of infections. Conclusion. The female patients, longer hospital stay, more organs involved, more DMARDs, corticosteroid usage, high counts of WBC, lower serum albumin, and higher serum CRP were independent risk factors of infections in active RA patients.