Direct demonstration of transsynaptic degeneration in the human visual system: a comparison of retrograde and anterograde changes

Transneuronal degeneration of retinal ganglion cells was directly demonstrated in a patient who had unilateral removal of the striate cortex forty years prior to necropsy. For comparison, another case is presented showing anterograde transneuronal atrophy forty years after enucleation of one eye.     

Occupational stress in naval personnel

Introduction: Increased stress levels have been reported and it has been implicated for mental illness amongst service personnel. However no study has been reported among Indian naval sailors.     

Panniculitis in childhood and adolescence

Background: The purpose of the present paper was to describe the clinical manifestations and treatment of patients with panniculitis. Methods: From January 1983 to December 2002, 4294 patients were treated for pediatric rheumatological diseases at Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, University of São Paulo, Brazil. Of these, 35 children and adolescents (0.8%) presented with panniculitis: erythema nodosum (EN) or Weber–Christian disease (WCD). Clinical characteristics, laboratory exams, biopsy of the lesion, treatment and clinical course were studied. Results: Of the 35 patients, 29 presented with EN and six with WCD, one of these with cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis. Mean age at symptom onset was 85 months (6–204 months) and the mean duration of follow up was 55 months (1–144 months). All the patients presented with inflammatory subcutaneous nodules. The patients with WCD presented with systemic manifestations and cutaneous atrophy. The principal etiologies of EN were streptococcal infection (42%), undetermined (13.5%), pulmonary tuberculosis (10%), and acute rheumatic fever (10%). Biopsy of the nodules indicated septal panniculitis in 14 patients with EN and lobular panniculitis without vasculitis in the patients with WCD, one of which had cytophagic histiocytic panniculitis. There was recurrence in 11 patients (38%) with EN and in all those with WCD. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were used in 15 patients with EN and corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive drugs in the six patients with WCD. Three patients died. Conclusions: EN is the most frequent panniculitis, with a benign course and is mainly associated with infections. WCD is a severe disease, with systemic involvement, that proceeds with cutaneous atrophy and requires the use of corticosteroids and or immunosuppressive drugs.     

Prediction of successful dose reduction or discontinuation of adalimumab,etanercept, or infliximab in rheumatoid arthritis patients using serum drug levels and antidrug antibody measurement

Background: To evaluate if TNF inhibitor serum drug levels (DL) or anti-drug antibodies (ADAb) can predict successful dose reduction (in patients with high DL) or discontinuation (in patients with no/low DL or ADAb) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Research design and methods: RA patients that were using adalimumab (n = 42), etanercept (n = 76) or infliximab (n = 51) and were doing well, were tapered until discontinuation or flare (1–1.5 year follow up). Random timed DL for adalimumab and etanercept and trough DL for infliximab were measured before dose reduction: Receiver-Operator-Curves (ROC) analyses with optimal cut-off DL were determined.

Results: No predictive value of adalimumab and infliximab DL for all outcomes were found, except for an inverse association of lower etanercept DL and higher chance for successful dose reduction (Area Under the Curve (AUC) 0.36, 95% CI 0.23–0.49; cut-off <2.6 mg/l). In sub analyses, higher adalimumab trough DL predicted successful dose reduction (AUC 0.86, 0.58–1.00; cut-off >7.8). ADAb were infrequent and not predictive of successful discontinuation.

Conclusions: No predictive value of baseline adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab DL or ADAb for successful dose reduction or discontinuation in RA was found in this context, with the possible exception of high adalimumab trough levels for successful dose reduction.