Destructive Index Research Articles

Adjustments in Tornado Counts, F-Scale Intensity, and Path Width for Assessing Significant Tornado Destruction

AbstractThe U.S. tornado record is subject to inhomogeneities that are due to inconsistent practices in counting tornadoes, assessing their damage, and measuring pathlength and path width. Efforts to improve the modern tornado record (1950–2012) have focused on the following: 1) the rationale for removing the years 1950–52, 2) identification of inconsistencies in F0, F1, and F2 counts based on implementation of the Fujita scale (F scale) and Doppler radar, 3) overestimation of backward-extrapolated F-scale intensity, and 4) a change in path-width reporting from mean width (1953–94) to maximum width (1995–2012). Unique adjustments to these inconsistencies are made by analyzing trends in tornado counts, comparing with previous studies, and making an upward adjustment of tornadoes classified by mean width to coincide with those classified by maximum width. Such refinements offer a more homogeneous tornado record and provide the opportunity to better evaluate climatological trends in significant (F/EF2–F/EF5) tornado activity. The median EF-scale (enhanced Fujita scale) wind speeds Vmed have been adopted for all significant tornadoes from 1953 to 2012, including an adjustment for overestimated intensities from 1953 to 1973. These values are used to calculate annual mean kinetic energy, which shows no apparent trend. The annual mean maximum path width from 1953 to 2012 (adjusted upward from 1953 to 1994 to obtain a common lower threshold), however, displays an increasing trend. Also, the EF-scale median wind speeds are highly correlated with . The quantity (Vmed × PWmax)2 is proposed as a tornado destruction index, and, when calculated as an annual cumulative value, the three largest years are 2007, 2008, and 2011.

Hypomethylation of perforin regulatory elements in CD4+T cells from rat spleens contributes to the development of autoimmune emphysema

It is widely accepted that perforin regulatory elements are hypomethylated in CD4+ T cells from patients with active lupus, but whether this is the case in autoimmune emphysema is not known. Twenty rats were randomly divided into a normal control group and an emphysema group. Rat models of emphysema were established by intraperitoneal injection with xenogeneic endothelial cells. The levels of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-8 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured, lung mean linear intercept and destructive index measured. Mean methylation of perforin gene promoter in CD4+ T cells and the expression of perforin were investigated. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling methods were used to examine the percentage of apoptotic cells in the alveolar septa. The levels of MMP-9 in BALF were higher in emphysema group than in control group (P < 0.05). The mean linear intercept and destructive index were higher in emphysema group than in control group (P < 0.05). The mean perforin gene promotor methylation of emphysema group was significantly decreased as compared with control group, while the expression levels of perforin gene were relatively higher (P < 0.05). There were more terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling-positive cells in the alveolar septa in control group than in emphysema group. Hypomethylation of perforin regulatory elements in CD4+ T cells may result in the lung septal cell apoptosis associated with the development of experimental autoimmune emphysema. MMP-9 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this kind of disease.

Creating the Iraq cultural property destruction database: calculating a heritage destruction index

Over the past decade there have been constant reports of damage to significant cultural property in several complex (post-)conflict and (post-)revolutionary states. Recent events in Syria, Mali, Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Afghanistan and Iraq – as devastating as they have been for people – have also had dramatic consequences for a number of important cultural heritage sites. Despite the severity of these events and global concern, the field of heritage studies has not developed a methodology for cataloguing such heritage destruction in a database. Addressing this paucity in the literature, this article details the methodology developed to produce the Iraq Cultural Property Destruction database, the world’s first database to document the destruction of cultural property in Iraq. This article also documents the calculation of the Heritage Destruction Index – a scale for measuring both the heritage ‘significance’ of a site and the overall level of destruction. Finally, this article also demonstrates the manifold uses of such a database in measuring and monitoring heritage destruction in Iraq. This study therefore sets a significant precedent in heritage studies by providing methods that can be applied to other contexts (past, present and future) to document the destruction of cultural property in complex contexts.

The Impact of Hurricane Strikes on Tourist Arrivals in the Caribbean

The authors quantify the impact of hurricane strikes on the tourism industry in the Caribbean. To this end they first derive a hurricane destruction index that allows them to calculate the actual wind speed experienced at any locality relative to the hurricane eye of a passing or land falling hurricane. They then employ this hurricane index in a cross-country panel data context to estimate its impact on country-level tourist numbers. The results suggest that an average hurricane strike causes tourism arrivals to be about 2% lower than they would have been had no strike occurred.

Vitamin C Prevents Cigarette Smoke–Induced Pulmonary Emphysema in Mice and Provides Pulmonary Restoration

Vitamin C (VC) is a potent antioxidant and is essential for collagen synthesis. We investigated whether VC treatment prevents and cures smoke-induced emphysema in senescence marker protein-30 knockout (SMP30-KO) mice, which cannot synthesize VC. Two smoke-exposure experiments using SMP30-KO mice were conducted. In the first one (a preventive study), 4-month-old mice received minimal VC (0.0375 g/l) [VC(L)] or physiologically sufficient VC (1.5 g/l) [VC(S)] and exposed to cigarette smoke or smoke-free air for 2 months. Pulmonary evaluations followed when the mice were 6 months of age. The second study began after the establishment of smoke-induced emphysema (a treatment study). These mice no longer underwent smoke exposure but received VC(S) or VC(L) treatment for 2 months. Morphometric analysis was performed, and measurements of oxidative stress, collagen synthesis, and vascular endothelial growth factor in the lungs were evaluated. Chronic smoke exposure caused emphysema (29.6% increases of mean linear intercepts [MLI] and 106.5% increases of destructive index compared with the air-only group) in 6-month-old SMP30-KO mice, and this emphysema closely resembled human chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Smoke-induced emphysema persisted in the VC(L) group after smoking cessation, whereas VC treatment provided pulmonary restoration (18.5% decrease of MLI and 41.3% decrease of destructive index compared with VC(L) group). VC treatment diminished oxidative stress, increased collagen synthesis, and improved vascular endothelial growth factor levels in the lungs. Our results suggest that VC not only prevents smoke-induced emphysema in SMP30-KO mice but also restores emphysematous lungs. Therefore, VC may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in humans.

Energy and exergy assessments of a perlite expansion furnace in a plaster plant

In this study, energy and exergy assessments of a perlite expansion furnace in a plaster factory are performed. Chemical properties of the perlite and its application areas are described. Energy and exergy relations according to the First and Second Law of Thermodynamics are derived. Energy and exergy efficiencies, losses and exergy destructions are calculated based on the measurements obtained from the system. Evaluations of environmental impact, energy management and economic are finally generalized according to the obtained results. Energy and exergy efficiencies of the furnace are determined to be 66% and 26%, respectively. Reference temperature effects on exergy efficiency, destruction and sustainability index are also presented. The results showed that the furnace has not been well designed in terms of thermal aspects due to high energy and exergy losses and the manufacturer producing the perlite expanded should establish an energy management structure.

Expression and significance of Toll-like receptor-4 in rats lung established by passive smoking or associated with intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide

To explore the expression and effect of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) in the lung tissue of rats established by passive smoking or intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 15) were randomly divided into 3 groups, including: (1) group A: conventional breeding; (2) group B: the rats were placed into a 120-L organic glass box with twice-daily exposure to cigarette smoking plus an intratracheal instillation of water at Day 1 and 14; (3) Group C: exposure to cigarette smoking the same as group B plus intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (1 mg/kg) at Day 1 and 14. Four weeks later, general status, arterial blood gas, pulmonary function and histopathology were analyzed. The expressions of TLR-4 and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) were determined by immunohistochemistry. Western blot was used to measure the protein contents of TLR-4, NF-κB, p-Iκ-Kα/β, Iκ-Kα/β, IκB-α. And real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Rats in Groups B and C were marantic with intermittent cough and dyspnea. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) and 50% expiratory flow-volume (EP50) were much lower in Group C ((10.6 ± 1.4), (0.77 ± 0.14) ml/s) than that in Groups A ((13.5 ± 2.0), (1.01 ± 0.08) and B (12.3 ± 0.9), (0.91 ± 0.10) ml/s) (all P < 0.05). Accumulated volume (AV) and carbon dioxide pressure (PCO2) were much higher in Groups B ((4358 ± 1501) ml, (52.77 ± 1.97) mm Hg) (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) and C ((10 077 ± 1866) ml, (51.03 ± 4.96) mm Hg) than that in Group A ((1735 ± 798) ml, (39.57 ± 1.43) mm Hg) (all P < 0.05). Hematoxylin and eosin stain showed chronic bronchitis and emphysema in Groups B and C. Besides, quantitative analysis demonstrated that in unit area, mean lining interval (MLI) and destruction index (DI) in Group B ((84 ± 13) µm, 0.228 ± 0.047) and Group C ((86 ± 10) µm, 0.294 ± 0.060) significantly increased versus Group A ((65 ± 6) µm, 0.036 ± 0.012) (all P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining indicated that the expression of TLR-4 in cytoplasm and cytomembrane and NF-κB in nucleus markedly increased in Groups B and C versus Group A. Relative expressions of TLR-4 and NF-κB assayed by Western blot increased in Group B (0.68 ± 0.03, 0.21 ± 0.08) and Group C (1.12 ± 0.11, 0.59 ± 0.06) than that in Group A (1.36 ± 0.07, 1.04 ± 0.08). Compared with Group A, the expression levels of TLR-4, NF-κB and IκB-α and the phosphorylation levels of Iκ-Kα/β in Group B and C significantly increased (all P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-6 increased in Group B (3.95 ± 0.29, 5.04 ± 0.28) and C (5.33 ± 0.26, 7.23 ± 0.39) versus that in Group C (1.00 ± 0.37, 1.00 ± 0.25) (all P < 0.05). Both passive smoking and intratracheal instillation of LPS may cause lung injury analogous to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease via NF-κB signaling pathway. And TLR4 plays an important role in this process.

Periodontal Disease as a Potential Factor for Systemic Inflammatory Response in the Dog

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that has numerous consequences both locally and systemically The aim of this study was to assess whether periodontal disease causes systemic inflammatory response in otherwise healthy, adult dogs. We estimated the total mouth periodontal score (TMPS), measured the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP), hematocrit, and albumin, and determined the white blood cell (WBC) and polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) counts in client-owned dogs. There was a statistically significant relationship between the gingival bleeding index (TMPS-G) and CRP concentration, and WBC and PMN counts, possibly during the active periods of periodontal tissue destruction. No correlation was found between the periodontal destruction index (TMPS-P) and the measured blood parameters. We conclude that chronic periodontal disease does not cause anemia or a reduction in serum albumin. However, active periods of periodontal inflammation may be associated with laboratory values suggestive of a systemic inflammatory response.

Nondestructive determination of flesh color in clingstone peaches

A nondestructive optical method, based upon visible and near infrared interactance spectroscopy, was developed for rapid determination of flesh color in clingstone peaches. Flesh color is currently used by the Californian canning peach industry as a destructive maturity index for clingstone peaches inspected at harvest and as a predictor of sensory flavor quality. Results show that skin ground color becomes uncorrelated with flesh color for skin ground color hue angles below 70°. Cultivar-specific models using nondestructive, log-transformed, interactance measurements at two wavebands in the visible region produced good predictive performance of flesh hue (r=0.92), while a global model required information at five wavebands to achieve this same level of performance (r=0.92 and RMSECV=1.35° hue). The nondestructive method does not require a separate measurement of skin reflectance and is suitable for flesh color grading tasks at inspection stations prior to canning and shows good potential for on-line sorting tasks.

Persistence of Th17/Tc17 Cell Expression upon Smoking Cessation in Mice with Cigarette Smoke-Induced Emphysema

Th17 and Tc17 cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a disease caused predominantly by cigarette smoking. Smoking cessation is the only intervention in the management of COPD. However, even after cessation, the airway inflammation may be present. In the current study, mice were exposed to room air or cigarette smoke for 24 weeks or 24 weeks followed by 12 weeks of cessation. Morphological changes were evaluated by mean linear intercepts (Lm) and destructive index (DI). The frequencies of CD8+IL-17+(Tc17) and CD4+IL-17+(Th17) cells, the mRNA levels of ROR gamma and IL-17, and the levels of IL-8, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma in lungs or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice were assayed. Here we demonstrated that alveolar enlargement and destruction induced by cigarette smoke exposure were irreversible and that cigarette smokeenhanced these T-cell subsets, and related cytokines were not significantly reduced after smoking cessation. In addition, the frequencies of Th17 and Tc17 cells in lungs of smoke-exposed mice and cessation mice were positively correlated with emphysematous lesions. More important, the frequencies of Tc17 cells were much higher than Th17 cells, and there was a significantly positive correlation between Th17 and Tc17. These results suggested that Th17/Tc17 infiltration in lungs may play a critical role in sustaining lung inflammation in emphysema. Blocking the abnormally increased numbers of Tc17 and Th17 cells may be a reasonable therapeutic strategy for emphysema.

Interaction between seed treatments, surfactants and foliar fungicides on controlling dry bean anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum)

Anthracnose, caused by fungal pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. & Magnus) Briosi Cav. is one of the main production constraints of the dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) industry in Ontario. A field study was carried out in 2007 and 2008 to investigate the effect of two seed treatments (DCT (diazinon + captan + thiophanate-methyl) and MFA (metalaxyl-M + fludioxonil + azoxystrobin)) and two foliar fungicides (pyraclostrobin and azoxystrobin) applied with and without a surfactant under low and high disease pressure conditions at Exeter ON. Eighteen treatment combinations were tested in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The treatment effects were examined by measuring disease development on leaf and pod tissue, pod destruction index, pick (discolored and misshaped seed), yield and return on investment (ROI). The seed treatment MFA performed similarly to DCT, and should be considered a suitable replacement to DCT for dry bean growers. However, utilizing a strobilurin fungicide in both seed and foliar treatments raises concern, as this practice increases the risk of disease resistance. The addition of a surfactant to azoxystrobin increased seed yield and ROI under high disease pressure, but had no effect when added to pyraclostrobin. Pyraclostrobin outperformed azoxystrobin for some disease indices as well as for yield under high disease pressure and for ROI under low and high disease pressure conditions.

Receptor for advanced glycation end products contributes to postnatal pulmonary development and adult lung maintenance program in mice.

The role of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in promoting the inflammatory response through activation of NF-κB pathway is well established. Recent findings indicate that RAGE may also have a regulative function in apoptosis, as well as in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and adhesion. Unlike other organs, lung tissue in adulthood and during organ development shows relatively high levels of RAGE expression. Thus a role for the receptor in lung organogenesis and homeostasis may be proposed. To evaluate the role of RAGE in lung development and adult lung homeostasis, we generated hemizygous and homozygous transgenic mice overexpressing human RAGE, and analyzed their lungs from the fourth postnatal day to adulthood. Moderate RAGE hyperexpression during lung development influenced secondary septation, resulting in an impairment of alveolar morphogenesis and leading to significant changes in morphometric parameters such as airspace number and the size of alveolar ducts. An increase in alveolar cell apoptosis and a decrease in cell proliferation were demonstrated by the terminal deoxy-nucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling reaction, active caspase-3, and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. Alterations in elastin organization and deposition and in TGF-β expression were observed. In homozygous mice, the hyperexpression of RAGE resulted in histological changes resembling those changes characterizing human bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). RAGE hyperexpression in the adult lung is associated with an increase of the alveolar destructive index and persistent inflammatory status leading to "destructive" emphysema. These results suggest an important role for RAGE in both alveolar development and lung homeostasis, and open new doors to working hypotheses on the pathogenesis of BPD and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Exergy and environmental impact assessment of solar photoreactors for catalytic hydrogen production

In this paper, a new photo-catalytic energy conversion system is analyzed for continuous production of hydrogen at a pilot-plant scale. Two methods of photo-catalytic water splitting and solar methanol steam reforming are investigated as two potential solar-based methods of catalytic hydrogen production. The exergy efficiency, exergy destruction, environmental impact and sustainability index are investigated for these systems, as well as exergoenvironmental analyses. A Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) is presented for the sunlight-driven hydrogen production system. This study shows that an optimum water flow rate exists, where the exergy efficiency of the photo-catalytic hydrogen production is maximized. The amount of CO2 emissions that are reduced by this process increases at higher flow rates. The light intensity is one of the key parameters in design optimization of the photo-reactors, in conjunction with light absorptivity of the catalyst. The results show that a trade-off exists in terms of exergy efficiency improvement and CO2 emissions of the photo catalytic hydrogen production system. The optimal working condition of solar methanol reforming to satisfy the exergy–environmental considerations is found to be light intensity range of 530Wm−2<J<600Wm−2 and water–methanol mole ratio of 1.5–2. An optimum methanol feeding rate associated with CO2 emissions of methanol steam reforming is determined in order to establish the required solar flux for photo-catalytic conversion of methanol to hydrogen.

Low-dose theophylline restores corticosteroid responsiveness in rats with smoke-induced airway inflammation

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) respond poorly to corticosteroids. Histone deacetylase-2 (HDAC-2) plays a pivotal role in many cases of steroid insensitivity. The main aim of this study was to restore the smoking-induced reduction in corticosteroid sensitivity by increasing HDAC-2 activity using low-dose theophylline. Rats were exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) and treated with budesonide and two doses of theophylline. Besides the pathologic examination and cell counting in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the expression of HDAC-2 and CXC chemokine ligand-8 (CXCL-8) were measured. Airway inflammation induced by CS was demonstrated by pathologic changes of lung tissue and increased level of CXCL-8. CS exposure also markedly decreased HDAC-2 expression. Moreover, a negative correlation was found between HDAC-2 activity and a lung destruction index. The index was restored to control levels with inhaled corticosteroid treatment in combination with a low, not a high, dose of theophylline. These results indicate that low-dose theophylline might provide protection from smoke damage and improve the anti-inflammatory effects of steroids by increasing HDAC-2 activity.

Sustainable assessment of solar hydrogen production techniques

This study addresses some technical issues related to solar hydrogen production methods. In this regard, exergy-based environmental and sustainability parameters are applied to an electrolysis process for hydrogen production. Accordingly, the environmental destruction index is found to be 0.16 while exergetic benign index is calculated as 6.30. While the exergy efficiency increases from 10 to 90%, the sustainability index rises from 0.01 to 8.1. Thus, solar hydrogen production should be used for practical applications because of higher exergetic sustainability potential and lower environmental destruction index.

Expression of interleukin-21 in the lungs of mice with emphysema and its effects on the differentiation of CD4+ T cell

To evaluate the expression of interleukin (IL)-21 in a cigarette smoke-induced mice model of emphysema and explore its effects on the differentiation of CD4(+)T cell. Twenty male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into two groups: control group and smoke-exposed group. Morphological changes were evaluated by mean linear intercepts and alveolar destructive index. The proportion of CD4(+)IL-21R(+)T cells in lungs of mice was determined by flow cytometry. And the levels of IL-21 in lungs of mice were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fresh lung mononuclear cells were isolated from the smoke-exposed group and divided further into two sub-groups: blank sub-group and co-culture sub-group. Two sub-groups were cultured in medium with or without IL-21 for 24 h and 48 h. The proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells in cell culture medium were determined by flow cytometry. Mean linear intercepts and alveolar destructive index in the smoke-exposed group ((48.6 ± 4.8) µm and 44.9 ± 2.8) were significantly higher than the control group ((32.4 ± 4.0) µm and 28.1 ± 2.1, both P < 0.05). In lungs, the percentage of CD4(+)IL-21R(+)T cells in the smoke-exposed group (4.1% ± 1.5%) significantly increased than that in the control group (1.4% ± 0.4%) (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-21 in lung of the smoke-exposed group ((851 ± 28) ng/L) were higher than those in the control group ((415 ± 39) ng/L, P < 0.05). In lungs, the levels of IL-21 had positive correlations with mean linear intercepts and alveolar destructive index (r = 0.892 and 0.955, both P < 0.05). The percentages of Th1 and Th17 cells in cell culture medium of the co-culture sub-group for 24 h and 48 h significantly increased versus those in the blank group (all P < 0.05). IL-21 may participate in the occurrence and development of emphysema through the induced differentiation of CD4(+)T cells and the promotion of Th1 and Th17-cell responses in lungs.

Impact of Hurricane Strikes on Local Cropland Productivity: Evidence from the Caribbean

AbstractWe empirically estimate the impact of hurricane strikes on local crop productivity in the Caribbean region. To this end, we first identify local cropland at 1 km2 geographical units via Global Land Cover data. We then employ a wind field model combined with a power dissipation equation to hurricane tracking data to arrive at a scientifically based index of potential local destruction along these 1 km2 cropland grid cells for landfalling and passing hurricanes. Cropland productivity at the local level is approximated by annual net primary production values derived from satellite spectral reflectance data. This provides us with a panel of over 150,000 potentially affected cropland areas in the Caribbean over the period 2000–2006. Our econometric results indicate that cropland productivity is substantially reduced after a hurricane strike.

Imbalance of Apoptosis and Cell Proliferation Contributes to the Development and Persistence of Emphysema

We postulate that in adults there is an established lung structure maintenance program and that lung alveolar septal cells are undergoing both continuous apoptosis and proliferation. Whereas lung cell apoptosis has been recognized in human emphysema, little is known about cell proliferation. Using a novel rat model of emphysema, induced by intratracheal instillation of cigarette smoke extract (CSE), we investigated the dynamics of emphysematous lung destruction. Emphysematous lung destruction was determined by measuring mean linear intercept and destructive index. Lung injury and repair were assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis for active caspase-3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of CSE instillations. The emphysematous lung tissue destruction was present at 4 weeks of CSE treatment and progressed to 8 weeks. Spontaneous repair began at 12 weeks. Treatment with a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)α+γ agonist or granulocyte and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for 4 weeks prevented the progression of emphysematous lung destruction and decreased the number of caspase-3-positive cells. Apoptosis and cell proliferation occur in this new model of emphysema. Treatment with a PPARα+γ agonist or GM-CSF can inhibit the progression of emphysematous alveolar septal destruction by decreasing alveolar cell apoptosis.

Objective: to specify the frequency and pattern of mental disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their association with a number of demographic parameters, stressors, inflammatory activity, duration of RA and its therapy, pain, and concomitant cardiovascular diseases (CVD).Subject and methods. One hundred and sixteen patients with verified RA were examined; 86% were women with a median age of

Objective: to specify the frequency and pattern of mental disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their association with a number of demographic parameters, stressors, inflammatory activity, duration of RA and its therapy, pain, and concomitant cardiovascular diseases (CVD).Subject and methods. One hundred and sixteen patients with verified RA were examined; 86% were women with a median age of

Spontaneous arthritis is protective for the development of aortic atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice

BackgroundInflammatory arthritides, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), are chronic debilitating disorders characterised by reduced life expectancy. The shortened lifespan in RA is largely due to...