**Meet the editor**

2005-present Director of Matsuno Clinic for Rheumatic disease (Toyama, Japan). 2003-2005 Professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Toin Yokohama University (Kanagawa, Japan). 2003-2005 Chief of Outpatient Clinic in the Department of Rheumatology, Japanese Red Cross Hospital. 2000 Visiting researcher in the Department of Rheumatology, London University

(UK). 2000-present Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University. 2000 American Orthopedic Surgery Traveling Fellowship ( in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, Harvard Medical School, and Lenox Hill Hospital). 2000 Ministry of Education consignment abroad research worker, Exchange foreign Medical Doctor of Japan Rheumatoid Association 1992-2000 Lecturer in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University (Toyama, Japan). 1991 Received a Ph.D. in Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University. 1989-1992 Teaching fellow in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University. 1988 Staff doctor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University. 1987-1988 Staff doctor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yokohama Higashi National Hospital (Kanagawa, Japan). 1986-1987 Staff doctor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery , Chiba Rosai Hospital (Chiba, Japan). 1985- 1986 Staff doctor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kawatetsu Chiba Hospital (Kanagawa, Japan). 1984-1985 Resident in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chiba University (Chiba, Japan). 1978-1984 Undergraduate studies in Kinki University Faculty of Medicine (Osaka, Japan).

Contents

**Preface VII**

**Therapeutic Targets 3** Zhiyi Zhang and Chenqi Zhao

**An Update 51**

**Hidden Role 71**

Hiroaki Matsuno

Govoni

**Section 2 Clinical Science 93**

Chapter 1 **Sphingosine-1-Phosphate and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Pathological Implications and Potential**

Chapter 2 **New Therapeutic Targets for the Control of Inflammatory Arthritis: A Pivotal Role for Endothelins 29** Maria das Graças Muller de Oliveira Henriques

Giovanni Ciancio, Manuela Ferracin, Massimo Negrini and Marcello

Chapter 3 **The Role of Micro-RNAs in Rheumatic Diseases:**

Chapter 4 **Catecholestrogens in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):**

Wahid Ali Khan and Mohd. Wajid Ali Khan

Chapter 5 **Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis with Biological Agents 95**

**Elective Orthopedic Surgery in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Agents − Discontinue or Not, Clinical Dilemma 109**

Chapter 6 **Perioperative Surgical Site Infections and Complications in**

Koichiro Komiya and Nobuki Terada

**Section 1 Basic Science 1**
