Centromere protein-F (CENP-F) is a large nuclear protein of 367 kDa, which is involved in multiple mitosis-related events such as proper assembly of the kinetochores, stabilization of heterochromatin, chromosome alignment and mitotic checkpoint signaling. Several studies have shown a correlation between CENP-F and cancer, e.g. the expression of CENP-F has been described to be upregulated in cancer cells. Furthermore, several studies have described a significant correlation between the expression of autoantibodies to CENP-F and cancer.

Cytokines are important in the understanding of the immune process in health and disease and are valuable indicators in diagnostics. Measurements of cytokines are based on immunometric methods, and it is important to understand possible pitfalls in these methods to produce reliable cytokine data. This paper focuses on obtaining optimal measurements when applying enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or multiplex immunoassays (MIA). Cytokines are measured in serum or plasma, as well as in various other body fluids, all containing a series of antibodies and the possibility of interference from these. Some antibodies, such as heterophilic and human anti-animal antibodies, are able to interfere with all immunoassays, but the immunometric techniques are most prone to serious interference from this source. Another type, rheumatoid factor (RF) is a composite of different autoimmune antibodies which can be present in both blood and synovial fluid. RF is present in some arthritic diseases as well as in some other medical conditions. When present, especially RF IgM is known to interfere with the immunometric measurements. A possible and affordable solution to diminish this interference is PEG precipitation, but other efficient, but more expensive, methods, such as precipitation using Protein L or commercially available blocking agents, are also available. Interference of RF is at present not tested in all cytokine assays, but degree of interference from RF, human anti-animal and heterophilic antibodies, as well as from other possible disease-specific antibodies, must always be considered when developing and applying new assays for cytokine measurements.

Our aim was to clarify if anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) drugs have effect on expression of three splice forms of FoxP3 mRNA in blood CD4+ T cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared with healthy controls. Forty-five rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with anti-TNF therapy were investigated in a 12-week prospective cohort study. FoxP3 isoforms, CD25 and CTLA-4 mRNA in blood CD4+ T cells were measured with quantitative real-time PCR. Patients benefitting from the treatment, based on changes in DAS28 scores, revealed a significant decrease in expression of full-length FoxP3 following 12 weeks treatment with TNF receptor 2 fusion protein (Etanercept), but not following treatment with anti-TNF antibodies (Adalimumab or Infliximab). A partial normalization of the CTLA-4/FoxP3fl ratio and a correlation between clinical improvement and change in FoxP3 mRNA expression were also seen in Etanercept responders. These changes were not observed in responsive patients treated with the antibody therapies. Our data suggest that TNF decoy receptor and anti-TNF antibodies differ in their effect on FoxP3 expression in responsive patients. As Etanercept binds both TNF-α and Lymphotoxin-α (LT-α), whereas the antibodies only target TNF-α, LT-α may regulate FoxP3 expression in a subset of RA patients. Our findings support the view that anti-TNF treatment is mainly symptomatic.

The Hvidoere Study Group (HSG) has demonstrated major differences in glycemic control between pediatric diabetes centers which remain largely unexplained. This study investigates whether these differences are partly attributable to healthy eating norms in the background population.

Manipulating joint range of motion during squat training may have differential effects on adaptations to strength training with implications for sports and rehabilitation. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of squat training with a short vs. a long range of motion. Male students (n = 17) were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of progressive squat training (repetition matched, repetition maximum sets) performed as either a) deep squat (0-120° of knee flexion); n = 8 (DS) or (b) shallow squat (0-60 of knee flexion); n = 9 (SS). Strength (1 RM and isometric strength), jump performance, muscle architecture and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the thigh muscles, as well as CSA and collagen synthesis in the patellar tendon, were assessed before and after the intervention. The DS group increased 1 RM in both the SS and DS with ~20 ± 3 %, while the SS group achieved a 36 ± 4 % increase in the SS, and 9 ± 2 % in the DS (P

IMPORTANCE Psoriasis is associated with adiposity and weight gain increases the severity of psoriasis and the risk of incident psoriasis. Therefore, we aimed to measure the effect of weight reduction on the severity of psoriasis in obese patients with psoriasis. OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of weight reduction on the severity of psoriasis in overweight patients. DESIGN Sixty obese patients with psoriasis from our dermatology outpatient clinic were enrolled in a prospective randomized clinical trial in which they were allocated to a control group or an intervention group. SETTING University hospital outpatient dermatology clinic. PARTICIPANTS We included 60 of 69 eligible overweight patients with psoriasis (body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared], 27-40; aged 25-71 years). INTERVENTIONS The intervention group received a low-energy diet (LED) (800-1000 kcal/d) for 8 weeks to induce weight loss, followed by 8 weeks of reintroduction of normal food intake, reaching 1200 kcal/d. The control group was instructed to continue eating ordinary healthy foods. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) after 16 weeks, with Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) as a secondary end point. RESULTS The median PASI for all patients was 5.4 (interquartile range, 3.8-7.6) at baseline. At week 16, the mean body weight loss was 15.4 kg (95% CI, 12.3-18.5 kg; P < .001) greater in the intervention group than in the control group. The corresponding mean differences in PASI and DLQI, also in favor of the LED group, were -2.0 (95% CI, 4.1 to -0.1; P = .06) and -2.0 (95% CI, -3.6 to -0.3; P = .02), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Treatment with an LED showed a trend in favor of clinically important PASI improvement and a significant reduction in DLQI in overweight patients with psoriasis. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01137188.

INTRODUCTION: Despite rehabilitation programmes offered to all patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in Denmark, a number of patients either never accomplish good diabetes regulation or the regulation deteriorates with time. Therefore, new approaches are needed. The aim of the present study is to examine whether telemedicine conferences with a nurse can contribute to achieving good diabetes control among patients with poorly regulated type 2 diabetes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 165 patients with type 2 diabetes who have formerly undergone a rehabilitation programme are randomized to either telemedicine intervention or usual care. The intervention lasts for 32 weeks and consists of monthly videoconferences with a nurse from a health-care centre as an add-on to usual care. Blood sugar, blood pressure and weight are regularly self-monitored and measurements are automatically transferred to a database. Glycaemic control (HbA1c level) is examined at baseline, 16 weeks, 32 weeks and 58 weeks (six months post intervention). Blood pressure, weight, waist/hip ratio, quality of life, physical activity, lipids, creatinine and haemoglobin are examined at baseline and after 32 weeks.

CONCLUSION: The study will examine whether telemedicine technology can contribute to achieving good diabetes regulation.

FUNDING: The City of Copenhagen and the Prevention Fund of the Capital Region of Denmark funded the project. Also "Smedemester Niels Hansen og Hustru Johanne F. Frederiksens Legat" has supported the study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT01688778.

To summarize the empirical evidence regarding the effect of treatment intensification on clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with one of the TNF-α-inhibitors, adalimumab, etanercept or infliximab.