longitudinal study to investigate the role of IL-6 and IL-7 in the pathologenesis of early rheumatoid arthritis

Previous researches indicate that IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine in RA that can drive Th17 cell development in mice and humans. Data from experimental arthritis models suggest that Th17 cells are pathogenic via production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17 and TNF alpha, leading to monocyte and fiboblast activation, and involvement in osteoclastogeneis and joint damage. The aim of this study is to investigate if interleukin-6 [IL-6] and/or interleukin-17 [IL-17] and Th17 cells are biomarkers for disease progression and severity in early Undifferentiated Arthritis [UA] and/Rheumatoid Arthritis [RA] patients. We performed a longitudinal study recruiting 20 patients with either undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis or early rheumatoid arthritis. We also recruited 30 age [mean = 46] and sex-matched healthy controls. The patients were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months for the American College of Rheumatology [ACR] criteria, Rheumatoid factor [RF], Anti Citrullinated Peptides [Anti-CCP], ESR, CRP, X-Ray of the hands and feet, joint count, patient global assessment, DAS28 and Quality of Life [HAQ] measurements. Peripheral blood and serum samples were taken and PBMC isolated. Cell subset analysis [CD3, CD4/CD8, and CD14] was performed ex vivo. Peripheral blood monocytes in RA and UDA showed the proportion of IL6 CD14+Monocytes significantly higher in RA patients at base line than the UDA. Sero-positive patients were higher in the proportion of [Total IL17 CD3 +CD4+Tcells, IFNgamma+IL17+CD3+CD4+Tcells, IL6 CD14+Monocytes] than the sero-negative patients but that differences did not reach statistical significance. The longitudinal follow up for the early arthritis group, showed a significant change in the%IL6 Monocytes. The proportion of IL6 and IL17 in peripheral blood of early rheumatoid arthritis shows a weak correlation with disease activity which could not be an ideal biomarker for disease activity in comparison to synovial level of these cytokines

Post polio sequelae in Upper Egypt an overview

The main objectives of the present study were to diagnose post polio patients among polio survivors, develop the awareness communication and education between polio survivors and medical professional and support polio survivors through giving recommendations. A total of 150 patients [90 men and 60 women] with different educational and socioeconomic levels were examined clinically and electromyographically and completed a questionnaire on their ambulatory status and related musculoskeletal and respiratory symptoms. Their ages ranged from 17-40 years. The age of patients at the onset of polio ranged from 6-18 months. The patients were collected from Assiut University [doctors, employees and medical students] and crippled girls and boys centers in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt. Of the 150 patients, 80.7% complained of post polio syndrome symptoms with no specific electrodiagnostic findings. 2% were excluded from the analysis because they had other chronic health problems as rheumatic fever. Fatigue was most commonly reported [63.6%], followed by joint pain [52.9%], muscle pain [52.1%] problems of sleeping [52.1%] and muscle weakness [41%]. No one complained of respiratory problems. There were functional problems