An Experimental Phototherapy Device for Studying the Effects of Blue Light on Patients with Raynaud's Phenomenon.

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a condition that causes decreased blood flow to areas perfused by small blood vessels (e.g., fingers, toes). In severe cases, ulceration, gangrene, and loss of fingers may occur. Most treatments focus on inducing vasorelaxation in affected areas by the way of pharmaceuticals. Recently, animal studies have shown that vasorelaxation can be induced by non-coherent blue light (wavelength ~ 430-460 nm) through the actions of melanopsin, a photoreceptive opsin protein encoded by the OPN4 gene. To study this effect in humans, a reliable phototherapy device (PTD) is needed. We outline the construction of a PTD to be used in studying blue light effects on Raynaud's patients. Our design addresses user safety, calibration, electromagnetic compatibility/interference (EMC/EMI), and techniques for measuring physiological responses (temperature sensors, laser Doppler flow sensors, infrared thermal imaging of the hands). We tested our device to ensure (1) safe operating conditions, (2) predictable, user-controlled irradiance output levels, (3) an ability for measuring physiological responses, and (4) features necessary to enable a double-blinded crossover study for a clinical trial. We also include in the Methods an approved research protocol utilizing our device that may serve as a starting point for clinical study. We introduced a reliable PTD for studying the effects of blue light therapy for patients suffering from Raynaud's phenomenon and showed that our device is safe and reliable and includes the required measurement vectors for tracking treatment effects throughout the duration of a clinical study.

Novel Combined Approach for Digital Necrosis Secondary to Raynaud's Phenomenon.

The presence of severe Raynaud's Phenomenon (RP), with permanent pain or digital necrosis is a rare condition. Cervical sympathectomy or distal sympathectomy or A botulinum toxin have demonstrated efficacy after medical treatment failure. We report the case of a 38-year-old female patient with an acute onset of severe RP in both hands secondary to systemic sclerosis. Medical treatment failed, so a novel approach by a combination of a modified distal sympathectomy and injection of A botulinum toxin on digital neuromuscular bundles was performed. Remission of the pain occurred immediately after the procedure and 45 days later she had complete healing of the digital wounds and recovered full mobilization of both hands. The patient remained asymptomatic 6 month after the procedure, and a Doppler ultrasound showed tri-phasic flows distal to the surgical site. This novel technique is described, and a brief review of the literature is performed.

Cardiovascular, hematological and neurosensory impact of COVID-19 and variants.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to review our clinical experience with COVID-19 patients observed in the Cardiovascular Division of Pompidou Hospital (University of Paris, France) and the Department of Neurology of the Eastern Piedmont University (Novara, Italy), related to the impact on the cardiovascular, hematological, and neurologic systems and sense organs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We sought to characterize cardiovascular, hematological, and neurosensory manifestations in patients with COVID-19 and variants. Special attention was given to initial signs and symptoms to facilitate early diagnosis and therapy. Indications of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) for cardiorespiratory support were evaluated. RESULTS: Preliminary neurosensorial symptoms, such as anosmia and dysgeusia, are useful for diagnosis, patient isolation, and treatment. Early angiohematological acro-ischemic syndrome includes hand and foot cyanosis, Raynaud digital ischemia phenomenon, skin bullae, and dry gangrene. This was associated with neoangiogenesis, vasculitis, and vessel thrombosis related to immune dysregulation, resulting from "cytokine storm syndrome". The most dangerous complication is disseminated intravascular coagulation, with mortality risks for both children and adults. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 is a prothrombotic disease with unique global lethality. A strong inflammatory response to viral infection severely affects cardiovascular and neurological systems, as well as respiratory, immune, and hematological systems. Rapid identification of acro-ischemic syndrome permits the treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation complications. Early sensorial symptoms, such as gustatory and olfactory loss, are useful for COVID-19 diagnosis. New variants of SARS-CoV-2 are emerging, principally from United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil. These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly, which may lead to more cases of COVID.

Low body weight and involuntary weight loss are associated with Raynaud's phenomenon in both men and women.

Objectives: Low body weight is an easily assessable cause of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), and is frequently overlooked by clinicians. We aim to investigate the association of low body weight (body mass index < 18.5 kg/m2), involuntary weight loss, and nutritional restrictions with the presence of RP.Method: Participants from the Lifelines Cohort completed a validated self-administered connective tissue disease questionnaire. Subjects who reported cold-sensitive fingers and biphasic or triphasic colour changes were considered to suffer from RP. Patient characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and nutritional habits were collected. Statistical analyses was stratified for gender.Results: Altogether, 93 935 participants completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of RP was 4.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.1-4.4%], and was three-fold higher in women than in men (5.7% vs 2.1%, p < 0.001). Subjects with RP had a significantly lower daily caloric intake than those without RP. Multivariate analysis, correcting for creatinine level, daily caloric intake, and other known aetiological factors associated with RP, revealed that low body weight [men: odds ratio (OR) 5.55 (95% CI 2.82-10.93); women: 3.14 (2.40-4.10)] and involuntary weight loss [men: OR 1.32 (1.17-1.48); women: 1.31 (1.20-1.44)] were significantly associated with the presence of RP. Low-fat diet was also associated with RP in women [OR 1.27 (1.15-1.44)].Conclusion: Low body weight and prior involuntary weight loss are associated with an increased risk of RP in both men and women. This study emphasizes that low body weight and weight loss are easily overlooked risk factors for RP, and should be assessed and monitored in subjects with RP.

Dissecting the Cellular Mechanism of Prostacyclin Analog Iloprost in Reversing Vascular Dysfunction in Scleroderma.

OBJECTIVE: Intravenous iloprost improves Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and promotes healing of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma). Despite a short half-life, its clinical efficacy lasts weeks. Endothelial adherens junctions, which are formed by VE-cadherin clustering between endothelial cells (ECs), regulate endothelial properties including barrier function, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), and angiogenesis. We undertook this study to investigate the hypothesis that junctional disruption contributes to vascular dysfunction in SSc, and that the protective effect of iloprost is mediated by strengthening of those junctions. METHODS: Dermal ECs from SSc patients and healthy controls were isolated. The effect of iloprost on ECs was examined using immunofluorescence, permeability assays, Matrigel tube formation, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Adherens junctions in SSc were disrupted compared to normal ECs, as indicated by reduced levels of VE-cadherin and increased permeability in SSc ECs (P < 0.05). Iloprost increased VE-cadherin clustering at junctions and restored junctional levels of VE-cadherin in SSc ECs (mean ± SD 37.3 ± 4.3 fluorescence units) compared to normal ECs (mean ± SD 29.7 ± 3.4 fluorescence units; P < 0.05), after 2 hours of iloprost incubation. In addition, iloprost reduced permeability of monolayers, increased tubulogenesis, and blocked EndoMT in both normal and SSc ECs (n ≥ 3; P < 0.05). The effects in normal ECs were inhibited by a function-blocking antibody that prevents junctional clustering of VE-cadherin. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the long-lasting effects of iloprost reflect its ability to stabilize adherens junctions, resulting in increased tubulogenesis and barrier function and reduced EndoMT. These findings provide a mechanistic basis for the use of iloprost in treating SSc patients with RP and digital ulcers.

ARTERIAL INSUFFICIENCIES: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Selected Problem Wounds.

The use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) for the treatment of selected problem wounds has focused almost entirely on the diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in recent years. The prevalence of DFUs in today's patient population and the reimbursement available for the treatment of DFUs have given it priority status in discussions about problem wounds, but there are sound fundamental reasons why additional oxygen may have benefits in the treatment of non-DFU wounds.

Secondary Raynaud's phenomenon is associated with microvascular peripheral endothelial dysfunction.

Previous studies in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) have found an association between microvascular abnormalities assessed by nail fold capillaroscopy and macrovascular peripheral endothelial dysfunction (PED), but the association between RP and nitric oxide related (NO) microvascular PED is not yet established. We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients who were referred to Mayo Clinic between 2006 and 2014 for routine cardiovascular evaluation and who underwent evaluation of Reactive Hyperemia Peripheral Arterial Tonometry (index <2 consistent with PED). Identification of the presence of RP was determined by retrospective chart review. Six hundred sixty six individuals were included in this study (mean age 51.9 ± 13.5 years, 411 (61.3%) women), 637 (95.1%) individuals did not have RP (control group), and 29 (4.3%) had secondary RP. Only 4 patients had primary RP and were thus excluded from the final analyses. In a multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, and use of statins we found a significant association between secondary RP and microvascular PED in all patients (Odds ratio: 2.45; 95% confidence interval 1.13-5.34; P = 0.0236) that remained significant in women after stratifying by sex. Secondary RP is associated with microvascular PED, detected using a non-invasive NO-dependent method. Early detection of microvascular PED could help in identifying individuals with secondary RP who are at risk for developing connective tissue disease as well as CVD.

Dynamic CTA and MRA in a case of severe Raynaud's phenomenon.

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a condition where arterial spasm, usually in the fingers, causes episodes of reduced blood flow. The condition is either idiopathic (primary) or related to a connective tissue disorder or drug response (secondary). We present a case of severe RP where we performed a novel-sequenced CTA and MRA during a prolonged active episode of peripheral vasospasm. Real-time multidisciplinary consultation resulted in appropriate therapy with symptoms alleviation within hours of presentation.

Estrogen increases expression of vascular alpha 2C adrenoceptor through the cAMP/Epac/JNK/AP-1 pathway and potentiates cold-induced vasoconstriction.

Cutaneous cold-induced vasoconstriction is a normal physiological reaction mediated by alpha 2C-adrenergic receptors (α2C-ARs) expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). When this reaction is exaggerated, Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) ensues. RP is more prevalent in females compared to age-matched men. We previously established that 17-ß estradiol (estrogen) upregulates α2C-ARs in human VSMCs via a cAMP/Epac/Rap pathway. We also showed that cAMP acts through JNK to increase α2C-AR expression. However, whether estrogen employs JNK to regulate α2C-AR is not investigated. Knowing that the α2C-AR promoter harbors an activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding site that can be potentially activated by JNK, we hypothesized that estrogen regulates α2C-AR expression through an Epac/JNK/AP-1 pathway. Our results show that estrogen (10-10 M) activated JNK in human VSMCs extracted from cutaneous arterioles. Pretreatment with ESI09 (10 µM; an Epac inhibitor), abolished estrogen-induced JNK activation. In addition, pre-treatment with SP600125 (3 µM; a JNK specific inhibitor) abolished estrogen-induced expression of α2C-AR. Importantly, estrogen-induced activation of α2C-AR promoter was attenuated with SP600125. Moreover, transient transfection of VSMCs with an Epac dominant negative mutant (Epac-DN) abolished estrogen-induced activation of α2C-AR promoter. However, co-transfection of constitutively active JNK mutant overrode the inhibitory effect of Epac-DN on α2C-AR promoter. Moreover, estrogen caused a concentration-dependent increase in the activity of AP-1-driven reporter construct. Mutation of AP-1 site in the α2C-AR promoter abolished its activation by estrogen. This in vitro estrogen-increased α2C-AR expression was mirrored by an increase in the ex vivo functional responsiveness of arterioles. Indeed, estrogen potentiated α2C-AR-mediated cold-induced vasoconstriction, which was abolished by SP600125. Collectively, these results indicate that estrogen upregulates α2C-AR expression via an EPAC-mediated JNK/AP-1- dependent mechanism. These results provide an insight into the mechanism by which exaggerated cold-induced vasoconstriction occurs in estrogen-replete females and identify Epac and JNK as potential targets for the treatment of RP.

State-of-the-art technologies provide new insights linking skin and blood vessel abnormalities in SSc-related disorders.

OBJECTIVE: A key unanswered question in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is how microvascular abnormality and fibrosis inter-relate. Our aim was to use state-of-the-art non-invasive imaging methods to gain new insights into pathophysiology, comparing patients with different subtypes of SSc, including early dcSSc, not only to healthy controls but also to patients with causes of Raynaud's phenomenon not progressing to fibrosis. METHODS: Laser Doppler imaging, nailfold capillaroscopy, spectroscopy, and ultrasound measured (respectively) perfusion, microvascular structure, oxygenation/oxidative stress, and skin thickening in the hands of 265 subjects: 31 patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP), 35 with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), 93 with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc), 46 with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc, including 27 'early') and 60 healthy controls. RESULTS: Mean perfusion was reduced in SSc groups compared to controls (lcSSc 172 perfusion units [standard deviation 157], late-dcSSc 90 [145], early-dcSSc 68 [137] vs. controls 211 [146]; p = 0.0002) as was finger-oxygenation (lcSSc 12.1 [13.6] arbitrary units [AU], late-dcSSc 12.2 [8.4], early-dcSSc 11.1 [11.3] vs controls 14.9 [10.5]; p = 0.0049). Oxidative stress was increased at the hand-dorsum in SSc groups (p = 0.0007). Perfusion positively correlated with oxygenation (r = 0.23, p < 0.001), and capillary density negatively with skin thickness (r = -0.26, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings lend support to the hypothesis that in SSc, particularly early dcSSc, (but not in PRP or UCTD), reduced perfusion (together with structural microvascular abnormality) associates with reduced oxygenation, with oxidative stress and with skin thickening/fibrosis, most likely driving a vicious cycle which ultimately results in irreversible tissue injury. Findings in skin may mirror alterations in internal organs.

Clinical features and outcomes of the patients with anti-glycyl tRNA synthetase syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features and outcomes of the patients with anti-glycyl tRNA synthetase (anti-EJ) syndrome in a large Chinese cohort. METHODS: The medical records, imaging, and serologic data of patients with anti-EJ antibodies from the China-Japan Friendship Hospital database were retrospectively investigated. Anti-EJ antibodies were identified using immunoblot assay. Long-term follow-up was conducted. RESULTS: Anti-EJ antibodies were present in 46 (19.7%) of the 234 patients with antisynthetase syndrome (ASS), preceded by anti-Jo-1 and anti-PL-7 antibodies. The mean age of disease onset was 51.2 ± 15.9 years, and 69.6% of these patients were female. The most prevalent clinical feature was interstitial lung disease (ILD) (96.7%), which was also the most common initial manifestation, followed by fever (60.9%), mechanic's hands (56.5%), muscle involvement (50%), and Raynaud phenomenon (8.7%). Ten (21.7%) patients developed rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD). Organizing pneumonia (OP) on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans (OR = 37.5, p = 0.006) and a higher C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) (OR = 28.3, p = 0.01) were independent risk factors for RP-ILD. Muscular pathological features were heterogeneous. Concomitant infection was noted in 63.0% of the patients during the disease course. Hypoalbuminemia (OR = 0.759, p = 0.002) was an independent risk factor for concomitant infection. Patients responded well to glucocorticoid therapy. The 5- and 10-year survival rates of the patients with anti-EJ were 97.8% and 88%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Anti-EJ syndrome was found to be a relatively common ASS subtype, with a favorable outcome. A notable proportion of the patients experienced RP-ILD, which was prone to OP on HRCT and a higher CAR, and needed aggressive management. Key Points • ILD was the most common initial manifestation of anti-glycyl tRNA synthetase syndrome. • RP-ILD was notable in anti-EJ positive patients. • Anti-EJ positive patients possessed a favorable long-term prognosis, but easily relapsed.

Current and Future Outlook on Disease Modification and Defining Low Disease Activity in Systemic Sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease with heterogeneous clinical manifestations and a variable course in which the severity of the pathology dictates the disease prognosis and course. Among autoimmune rheumatic diseases, SSc has the highest mortality rate among all rheumatic diseases, though there are exciting new therapeutic targets that appear to halt the progression of SSc manifestations such as skin or lung fibrosis. In selected patients, high-intensity regimens with autologous stem cell transplantation can favorably modify the course. In what was once thought to be an untreatable disease, targeted therapies have now changed the outlook of SSc to a treatable disorder. Herein, we discuss the targeted therapies modifying the outlook on selected organ involvement and creating opportunities for future treatment. We also present a framework for defining low disease activity in SSc.

The complementary effects of galvanic current electrical stimulation associated with conservative treatment to increase vasodilation in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon: a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of an electrotherapy intervention with galvanic current on symptoms associated with Raynaud's phenomenon. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized controlled trial, parallel design (1:1 ratio) and intention-to-treat analysis. SETTING: Virgen de las Nieves Hospital, Granada, Spain. SUBJECTS: Thirty-four participants with Raynaud's phenomenon, with a mean (SD) age of 43.43 (17.62) years. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were randomly assigned to a control group with conservative treatment (anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory and analgesic drugs) or an intervention group that received conservative treatment and vasodilatory electrical stimulation during seven weeks, three times/week for a total of 20 sessions. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcome was the number of attacks. Secondary outcomes were pain, peripheral blow flow, oxygen saturation, upper limb disability, central sensitization, pain catastrophizing and temperature recovery. All outcomes were assessed at baseline, posttreatment and at two months of follow-up. RESULTS: The galvanic current electrotherapy group showed significantly greater improvements in the number of attacks (mean difference = 26.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 14.4 to 38.3), pre-cold stress pain (95% CI = 0.6 to 2.4), radial artery blood flow (95% CI = -7.8 ⩾ x ⩽ 1.3), ulnar artery blood flow (95% CI = -8.63 to 0.60), oxygen saturation (95% CI = -1.7 ⩾ x ⩽ -0.29), upper limb disability (95% CI = 1.1 to 22.3), central sensitization (95% CI = 6.7 to 18.2) and temperature recovery (95% CI = -5.7 ⩾ x ⩽ -0.32) than the conservative treatment group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a complementary treatment with galvanic current in combination to conservative approach is superior to conservative applied as isolate, in reducing the clinical manifestations and disability in Raynaud's phenomenon.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of a Patient With a Successful Digital Sympathectomy in Raynaud Phenomenon: A Case Report.

Selective periarterial sympathectomy in Raynaud phenomenon (RP) has not been adequately studied as there was no reliable method to evaluate outcomes. However, dynamic Doppler ultrasonography may have clinical value in the management and follow-up of patients with RP; but few reports describe using the device to assess surgical outcomes. Here, we report a case of successful digital sympathectomy in a single digit and the postoperative evaluation using ultrasonography. A 23-year-old patient with secondary RP underwent surgery targeting both common digital artery (ulnar side) and the proper digital artery (radial side). The procedure yielded immediate pain relief and the improvement of recurrent fingertip ulceration. The 1-year postoperative assessment with dynamic Doppler ultrasonography using a hockey-stick probe was performed with a cold provocation test and revealed peak systolic velocity improvement comparable to the nontreated ulnar side but prominent fibrosis on the radial aspect. We anticipate that Doppler ultrasonography may be an effective tool for the postoperative assessment of patients who underwent digital sympathectomy for treatment of RP.

Nailfold capillaroscopy and autoimmune connective tissue diseases in patients from a Portuguese nailfold capillaroscopy clinic.

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is frequent in autoimmune connective tissue diseases (AICTD) and its approach includes nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC), as it is a non-invasive technique that permits direct visualization of the microcirculation. The aim of this study is to analyze and establish clinical correlations between NFC findings and particular aspects of autoimmune disorders. This is a retrospective study. Clinical data from patients attending our NFC clinic were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included AICTD previous diagnosis, which included systemic sclerosis (SSc), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren syndrome, inflammatory idiopathic myopathies (IIM), rheumatoid arthritis, undifferentiated connective tissue disease and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Videocap® version 3.0 biomicroscope was used. NFC score was determined. For statistics, SPSS software was utilized. 384 patients were included; most of them were women, with mean age of 47 years. RP was present in 91% of the patients, with greater prevalence in SSc and MCTD. Scleroderma pattern was the most prevalent NFC pattern, mainly in SSc, MCTD and IIM. Mean capillary density was reduced in IIM, SSc and MCTD. NFC score was worse in SSc, IIM and MCTD. In patients with AICTD, RP is related to microvascular damage and worse NFC score. NFC scleroderma pattern correlates with SSc classification criteria score. In MCTD, scleroderma pattern relates to myositis. SLE and APS reveal significant hemorrhages, but not related to APS antibodies. This study highlights the possible role of NFC as biomarker of AICTD, particularly in SSc and IIM.

Collaborative National Quality and Efficacy Registry (CONQUER) for Scleroderma: outcomes from a multicenter US-based systemic sclerosis registry.

The Collaborative National Quality and Efficacy Registry (CONQUER) for Scleroderma is a multicenter US-based longitudinal study of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) within 5 years of first non-Raynaud's symptom. The data collection methodology incorporates successful models from other SSc registries. The cohort is designed to provide linked bio-specimen and clinical outcomes data on a longitudinal cohort of SSc patients for validation of hypothesis-driven research and to provide a platform for studying patient-reported outcomes in scleroderma. The CONQUER registry was developed using the guidelines of the International Society for Biological Repositories, and was an iterative process between physicians with an expertise in SSc, patient stakeholders, and information technology experts. Enrollment commenced in June 2018. During the first 6 months of the CONQUER Scleroderma study, 151 SSc patients with less than 5 years of disease duration (from first non-Raynaud's symptom) have been recruited. The mean age is 51 ± 14 years, 83% are female, and 60% of patients have diffuse disease. Survey completion rates are above 88% for all patient-reported outcome surveys. Bio-specimen collection rates are over 97%, and disease severity score completion rates are over 98%. Pulmonary function test data is available on 91% of patients, and echocardiography is available 80%. The CONQUER scleroderma study provides a unique and growing resource for studying scleroderma in a longitudinal, US-based population. KEY POINTS : • The Collaborative National Quality and Efficacy Registry (CONQUER) for Scleroderma is a multicenter US-based longitudinal study of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) within 5 years of first non-Raynaud's symptom. • The CONQUER scleroderma study provides a unique and growing resource for studying scleroderma in a longitudinal, US-based population. • CONQUER is innovative in its design in that it is focused on prospective collection of paired clinical and patient outcome data with bio-specimens.

[Maurice Raynaud (1834-1881) and the Mystery of "Raynaud's Phanomenon"]. / Maurice Raynaud (1834­1881) und das Mysterium "Raynaud-Phänomen".

Maurice Raynaud first described color changes and symptoms of the fingers due to cold-induced vasospasm and restricted blood flow in his medical school thesis in 1862. Raynaud's phenomenon is common and exists as an uncomplicated primary Raynaud phenomenon and a Raynaud phenomenon secondary to underlying diseases and medication. Mechanisms contributing to altered vasoconstrictor activity are endothelial and not-endothelial. Cold-induced vasospasm is probably a thermoregulatory problem and effects are mediated by sympathetic activity and selective stimulation of alpha2c-adrenoreceptors.