Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDMS) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by muscle weakness and a distinctive rash caused by underlying vasculopathy. Long-term complications include subcutaneous and muscular calcification, contractures and in some cases the gradual development of a second connective tissue disease. Early aggressive treatment with systemic immunosuppressants and other a...

SNF4435C and D are new immunosuppressants isolated from the culture broth of a strain of Streptomyces spectabilis. Their molecular formulas were determined as C28H31NO6 based on the HRFAB-MS analyses. The structures of SNF4435C and D were elucidated to be novel nitrophenyl pyrones having an intriguing tricyclic ring system and diastereoisomers of each other by spectroscopic analyses including v...

Background: Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS) is a target for management of patients with SLE, that should be maintained in the long-term by preventing flares. Stratification flare risk would useful to optimize management. Objectives: To identify predictors SLE attaining LLDAS. Methods: Patients fulfilling classification criteria [ACR (1997) and/or SLICC EULAR/ACR], followed at an academ...

INTRODUCTION Antioxidants and a large number of natural supplements were introduced in recent decades (Lu et al., 2013). It has been hypothesized that antioxidant consumption might reverse oxidative stress which decreases the adverse effects elicited as outcomes of oxidative stress including inflammation, carcinogenesis, and atherosclerosis (Ghorbanihaghjo et al., 2012; Bjelakovic et al., 2014)...

Immunostimulating staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) and related superantigenic toxins cause diseases in human beings and laboratory animals by hyperactivating cells of the immune system. These protein toxins bind to the major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) molecules and specific Vβ regions of T-cell receptors (TCRs), resulting in the stimulation of both monocytes/macrophages and ...