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Gout is a painful form of inflammatory arthritis characterized by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joints. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of peptide P140 on the inflammatory responses in crystal-induced mouse models of gout and cell models including MSU-treated human cells. Injection of MSU crystals into the knee joint of mice induced neutrophil influx and inflammatory hypernociception. Injection of MSU crystals subcutaneously into the hind paw induced edema and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines levels. Treatment with P140 effectively reduced hypernociception, the neutrophil influx, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in these experimental models. Furthermore, P140 modulated neutrophils chemotaxis in vitro and increased apoptosis pathways through augmented caspase 3 activity and reduced NFκB phosphorylation. Moreover, P140 increased the production of the pro-resolving mediator annexin A1 and decreased the expression of the autophagy-related ATG5-ATG12 complex and HSPA8 chaperone protein. Overall, these findings suggest that P140 exerts a significant beneficial effect in a neutrophilic inflammation observed in the model of gout that can be of special interest in the design of new therapeutic strategies.

Illness stigma, or perceived stigma related to a chronic health condition, is pervasive among youth with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, no studies exist examining the psychometric properties of illness stigma measures in this population. Using a modified version of the Child Stigma Scale originally developed for youth with epilepsy, the current study investigated the factor structure and validity of this adapted measure (i.e., Stigma Scale – Child; SS-C) in youth with IBD.

Farm animals are exposed to various painful procedures during their productive lives, making it necessary to implement anesthetic and analgesic protocols. However, there are few studies evaluating the effectiveness of these drugs. Our objective was to compare the analgesic effects of two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): meloxicam (MEL) and flunixin meglumine (FLU), in goat kids subjected to surgical castration under local anesthesia. Anglo-Nubian goat kids (60 days old) were allocated into two groups: MEL (n = 9), and FLU (n = 8), each administered 5 min before starting castration. All had been previously subjected to local anesthesia with lidocaine, injected bilaterally into the testes, plus subcutaneous in the scrotal raphe. Pain sensitivity was evaluated using the von Frey monofilaments test. Reactions were recorded before castration (M0), immediately after castration (M1), and once-daily for three consecutive days post-castration (M2, M3, and M4, respectively). Pain assessments were conducted in three body regions: at four points of the scrotum (dorsal and ventral; left and right lateral; R1); medial region of the pelvic limb, gracilis muscle (R2); and hypogastric region of the abdomen (R3). MEL goats had considerably greater pain reaction in R1 and R2 over time, mainly in M2; therefore, FLU was a more effective analgesic than MEL, resulting in less pain reaction.

Brodalumab is a recombinant monoclonal antibody (IgG2) that binds with high affinity to the human interleukin-17 (IL-17) receptor A and blocks the biological activity of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-17A/F heterodimer, and IL- 25, resulting in inhibition of inflammation and clinical symptoms associated with psoriasis. Its introduction has managed to increase the levels of efficacy, safety (improving that previously presented by the anti-IL-17 class), and survival.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a growing welfare problem for dogs and a challenge to manage for the clinician, and most therapeutic options aim to control pain. In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 2-way, 2-period crossover study, we aimed to evaluate the use of Blood Cell Secretome (BCS) administrated intra-articularly, with or without the combination with triamcinolone, in dogs with bilateral hip OA. BCS is an acellular orthobiologic containing anti-inflammatory and anabolic proteins produced from the patient's own blood through extended coagulation in a defined environment. Fifteen dogs were initially assigned to a BCS group (BCSG, = 5), a triamcinolone group (TG, = 5), or a combination group (BCS+TG, = 5). All had bilateral hip OA. After a 180-day follow-up, the crossover was performed with BCSG ( = 7) and BCS+TG ( = 7). BCSG received a single intra-articular administration of 3 mL of Blood Cell Secretome, and BCS+TG received BCS plus 0.5 mL of triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg/mL). The volume in BCSG was corrected to 3.5 mL with saline. In all patients, both hips were treated. For treatment follow-up, a copy of the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (divided into pain interference score-PIS and Pain Severity Score-PSS), Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD), and Canine Orthopedic Index (COI, divided into function, gait, stiffness, and quality of life) was completed on days 0, 8, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180. Results were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney U test, effect size, and Kaplan-Meier estimators, followed by the log-rank test. was set at <0.05. Patients of the sample had a mean age of 9.6 ± 2.9 years and a body weight of 29.2 ± 3.9 kg. Seven hips were classified as severe osteoarthritis, and eight were classified as moderate. No differences were found between groups at T0. Significant differences were observed in PSS scores at +8d, with BCS+TG exhibiting better results. PIS, PSS, LOAD, stiffness, and function scores were also lower in BCS+TG from +15 to +60d. The two groups showed similar improvements from +90 to +120d. Kaplan-Meier estimators showed that dogs in BCS+TG showed clinically-important differences for longer, despite a positive result in BCSG. The intra-articular administration of BCS alone was able to improve the overall condition of OA patients. Its combined use with triamcinolone acetonide lead to a faster and longer-lasting improvement in pain scores.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a multifactorial disease characterized by chronic diffuse pain. Genetic factors are also involved in the etiology. However, there is not enough information on the genetic factors that play a role in the pathogenesis of FMS. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between estrogen receptor 1 gene (ESR1) 594G>A (rs2228480) and 325C>G (rs2295190) polymorphisms and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). A total of 294 women, 146 of who were FMS patients and 148 of whom were healthy controls, were enrolled in the study. The instruments used to collect data from patients included patient follow-up form, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Genotyping of ESR1 594G>A and 325C>G polymorphisms in the extracted DNA samples was performed using an RT-PCR device and TaqMan hydrolysis probes. It was found that, for rs2295190 polymorphism, patients with CG and GG genotypes versus CC genotypes showed a decreased risk for FMS (OR: 0.442; 95% CI: 0.234-0.833). But there were no significant differences were found in the genotype distribution of  rs2228480 polymorphism between the FMS patients and controls. The intragroup evaluation of FMS patients revealed no significant association between symptoms, pain score, FIQ score, and polymorphisms (p>0.05). We are of the opinion that there is a significant association between ESR1 rs2295190 polymorphism and FMS and that this polymorphism may be protective against FMS. However, there is a need for comprehensive studies on different populations to obtain clearer data as well as further studies to elucidate the possible mechanism of association.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by immune dysregulation, pruritus, and abnormal epidermal barrier function. Compared with conventional mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived mesenchymal stem cell (iMSC) is recognized as a unique source for producing extracellular vesicles (EVs) because it can be obtained in a scalable manner with an enhanced homogeneity. Stimulation of iMSCs with inflammatory cytokines can improve the immune-regulatory, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-repairing potential of iMSC-derived EVs.

Intravascular endothelial hyperplasia is a benign soft tissue mass rarely reported in the foot. Advanced imaging and confirming a benign diagnosis are critical for any soft tissue mass. This paper identifies 2 patients that developed intravascular endothelial hyperplasia tumors which required surgical excision. A 17-year-old male patient presented to clinic complaining of a painful bump to the arch of his right foot which he related to an injury 9 months prior. Magnetic resonance imaging of the right foot revealed a mass within the plantar subcutaneous fat that was serpiginous in nature similar to adjacent branching vessels favoring a low-flow vascular malformation. A 38-year-old female with Multiple Sclerosis presented with complaints of persistent symptoms of pain to the 1 interspace, difficult ambulation and neuritis. Ultrasound and MRI observed solid, multilobulated mass, with internal vascular malformation, MRI describing intrinsic involvement along the abductor musculature and flexor tendons. Both lesions were surgically excised and sent for pathology. Pathology report indicated a diagnosis of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia or Masson's tumor in both cases. Pathology diagnosis of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia is generally good with wide resection leading to low recurrence rates. Both patients in the current study have progressed postoperatively with resolution of symptoms and without recurrence.