Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathophysiology

Introduction Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis among elderly people from Europe and North America. 1 It is characterized by granulomatous inflammation of large and medium vessels with special tropism for the branches of the external carotid arteries. 2 GCA mainly affects patients older than 50 years with an incidence ranging from 5.8 to 31.3/100,000 and prevalence of 30.4/100,000. 1 Environmental factors in patients genetically predisposed may be triggers for the development of GCA. In this regard, a strong association of GCA with HLA class II molecules has been described, particularly with HLA-DRB1*04 alleles. 3–5 The immunopathology of GCA is complex and still not completely understood. Growing evidence support that GCA is a T-cell driven disease. 6,7 In this regard, type 1 helper T cells (Th1) and type 17 helper T cells (Th17) seem to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of GCA. Th-17 inflammatory pathway and related cytokines, such as interleukin...

What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs which affects alveoli, the tiny sacs found in clusters at the end of the branching structure of airways (respiratory tree) that supply air to the lungs. Alveoli have very thin walls and are surrounded by capillaries that allow inhaled oxygen to be diffused into the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide to be removed and exhaled. Human Respiratory System. Image Credit: Magic mine/Shutterstock.com Pneumonia, which is one of a group of alveolar lung diseases, causes alveoli to become inflamed and fill with fluid or pus, which interferes with this gas exchange. Common symptoms of pneumonia include: A frequent cough which produces sputum, a mixture of saliva, mucus, and pus. Sputum is usually either clear, greenish, or yellowish, but can contain blood which is indicative of a severe infection. Pain or pressure under the breastbone which becomes more intense when coughing or upon taking deep breaths. ...

Eosinophilic bronchitis is a common cause of chronic (long-term) cough. The condition is characterized by inflammation of the airways, which is common in bronchitis. However, with eosinophilic bronchitis, there is no bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways). There are, however, increased eosinophils (white blood cells that are associated with allergic disease, but also fight parasitic infections) in the lungs.  Eosinophilic bronchitis is not well understood, and it's thought to be underdiagnosed. It has been linked to exposure to occupational toxins, including dust. Eosinophilic bronchitis can be treated using steroids, which are highly effective at reducing the cough caused by the condition. Healthcare providers will usually rule out other lung conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) before diagnosing eosinophilic bronchitis.   Here's what you should know about eosinophilic bronchitis. ...

The once-clubby world of start-up deal making known as "angel investing" has had an influx of new participants. It's part of a wider boom in ever-riskier investments. SAN FRANCISCO — On a recent Wednesday evening, 60 people gathered in a virtual conference room to discuss start-up investments. Among them were a professional poker player from Arizona, an allergist in California and a kombucha maker from Tennessee. All were members of Angel Squad, a six-month $2,500 program that aims to help people break into the clubby world of venture capital as individual investors, known as "angels." The group listened as Eric Bahn, the instructor, rattled off anecdotes and advice from the front lines of start-up investing. "The most important question when you are an early stage investor is: What happens if things go right?" he said, stepping back from his desk and raising his hands for emphasis. Caroline Howard, 29, one of the founders of Walker Brothers Beverage, ...

Many studies have tied a high intake of fruits and vegetables to a lower risk of asthma and improved asthma control in children and adults. SIMON DAWSON/Reuters Q: Is there a diet for asthma? Can certain foods help prevent symptoms? The role diet plays in preventing and managing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes is undisputed. Mounting evidence also suggests that eating a healthy diet can help ease symptoms of asthma, a chronic condition affecting 11 per cent of Canadians. And the most protective foods to help you breathe easier, it seems, are no farther away than your refrigerator. About asthma Asthma occurs when the airways (bronchial tubes) become inflamed and narrow, causing chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, mucus production and difficulty breathing. There is no cure for asthma; medications are needed to treat and prevent symptoms. Asthma attacks range from mild to severe and are usually provoked by environmental allergens...

Jeffrey E Gotts , assistant professor 1, Michael A Matthay , professor 1 1 Departments of Medicine and Anesthesia, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0624, USA Correspondence to: M A Matthay Michael.matthay{at}ucsf.edu Abstract Sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock represent increasingly severe systemic inflammatory responses to infection. Sepsis is common in the aging population, and it disproportionately affects patients with cancer and underlying immunosuppression. In its most severe form, sepsis causes multiple organ dysfunction that can produce a state of chronic critical illness characterized by severe immune dysfunction and catabolism. Much has been learnt about the pathogenesis of sepsis at the molecular, cell, and intact organ level. Despite uncertainties in hemodynamic management and several treatments that have failed in clinical trials, investigational therapies increasingly target sepsis induced organ and i...

What is pneumonia? Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs which affects alveoli, the tiny sacs found in clusters at the end of the branching structure of airways (respiratory tree) that supply air to the lungs. Alveoli have very thin walls and are surrounded by capillaries that allow inhaled oxygen to be diffused into the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide to be removed and exhaled. Human Respiratory System. Image Credit: Magic mine/Shutterstock.com Pneumonia, which is one of a group of alveolar lung diseases, causes alveoli to become inflamed and fill with fluid or pus, which interferes with this gas exchange. Common symptoms of pneumonia include: A frequent cough which produces sputum, a mixture of saliva, mucus, and pus. Sputum is usually either clear, greenish, or yellowish, but can contain blood which is indicative of a severe infection. Pain or pressure under the breastbone which becomes more intense when coughing or upon taking deep breaths. ...