Current Rheumatology Reviews - Volume 5, Issue 2, 2009

The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in association with vascular thromboses (VT) and/or pregnancy morbidity (PM) is the hallmark of the Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). Increasingly, evidence indicates that PM in the APS involves direct targeting of endometrium and invading fetal trophoblast by aPL. Intravascular or intervillous blood clots are rarely found on histological examination of miscarriage samples fro Read More

The resorption and formation of bone are closely linked during bone remodeling. The cessation of bone resorption precedes bone formation, and is characterized by osteoclast apoptosis. The two most common apoptotic pathways consist of the activation of one of the membrane death receptors, including Fas that binds FasL, and the TRAIL receptors that bind TRAIL (TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand), and the mitoc Read More

Alkaptonuria is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by the absence of homogentisate 1,2 dioxygenase (HGD) in the liver. Ochronosis and arthropathic ochronosis are characteristic sequelae of this metabolic disorder. We report here the clinical and molecular findings in 29 alkaptonuric patients (17 males and 12 females) from mainland France and the Reunion Island. We searched for living members of theses families, 1 Read More

Sexuality is an important aspect of quality of life that is often neglected in research studies and is rarely assessed in routine clinical practice. Patients may feel embarrassed to mention their sexual concerns and many health care providers feel uncomfortable taking a sexual history. The exact prevalence of sexual dysfunction in the general population is not known, but it is clearly very common and women are affected m Read More

Introduction: Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) has originally been described as a syndrome that consisted of a combination of features typically found in patients with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM), or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Objective: The diagnosis of MCTD still remains controversial and it is critically dependent on the demonstration of high-titer Read More

Serine proteases are active in many physiological and pathological processes within bone tissue. Although essential to adequate maintenance of bone and cartilage, their inappropriate expression can lead to exacerbation of tissue destruction and inflammation. Their effects are exerted through multiple pathways, including interaction with signalling molecules such as transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), binding to prote Read More