Rheumatologists’ perspective on coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and potential therapeutic targets

Clinical Rheumatology - The ongoing pandemic coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a matter of global concern....     

Atypical Wilson disease--a case report with CT scan

A case of atypical Wilson disease is being reported. Possible mechanism of the process, diagnostic features and CT appearance of brain is described. Early detection and therapy with copper chelating agents result in neurologic and performance improvement of patients.     

Gastric diverticulum

Gastric diverticula are relatively rare findings. Although usually asymptomatic, they may cause vague epigastric pain. These lesions may be confused radiologically for gastric ulcers or cancers. Endoscopically, they may be confused for paraesophageal hernias. This report discusses the appearance and evaluation of gastric diverticula.The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense and the United States Government.     

Corticosteroid therapy in avian muscular dystrophy: evaluation by magnetic resonance relaxation times

Genetically dystrophic chicks (line 413) were administered 0.3 mg/kg dexamethasone (DEX), a corticosteroid, from 2 to 28 days ex ovo. Diluent-injected dystrophic and normal (line 412) chicks served as controls. The effects of DEX on muscle function were evaluated weekly by the exhaustion score (ES) method. Proton magnetic resonance relaxation times, T1 and T2, of excised pectoral muscles of all chicks were measured at 31 days of age. There were two measurable components of T1 and T2 relaxation times, all of which were significantly prolonged in control dystrophic muscles. DEX improved ESs of dystrophic chicks and these functional improvements were reflected in significant reductions in the short and long components of T1 and T2. This study suggests that magnetic resonance techniques, including imaging, can complement and extend the information obtained by other methods that are commonly used in therapeutic studies of muscle disorders.     

Palmar Purpura: An Atypical Presentation of Childhood Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Abstract: Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is seen most commonly as a pruritic, papulovesicular eruption in young children or adolescents. Differentiation from other bullous diseases of childhood may be difficult. We report the first case of an adolescent in whom pruritic, palmar, purpuric macules and papules were the only manifestations of DH. The patient later developed typical vesiculobullous extensor lesions and symptomatic gluten-sensitive enteropathy (GSE). All lesions and GSE symptoms resolved with dapsone and a gluten-free diet. Our purpose is to illustrate an unusual presentation of pediatric DH.     

Comparison of the recovery and half-life of a high-purity factor IX concentrate with those of a factor IX complex concentrate. Factor IX Study Group

BACKGROUND: Recovery and half-life estimations were carried out to compare a high-purity factor IX concentrate with an established factor IX complex concentrate. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two high-purity factor IX concentrates, which are identical except for the presence or absence of heparin (Immuninehep-plus and Immuninehep-minus), were evaluated in two independent crossover studies using an intermediate- purity factor IX complex concentrate (Bebulin) as reference drug. RESULTS: In the Immuninehep-plus crossover study (n = 27), Immuninehep- plus and Bebulin had, respectively, a recovery of 0.90 +/− 0.26 and 0.84 +/− 0.23 IU per dL per IU per kg, a compartmental half-life of 17.11 +/− 6.18 and 15.94 +/− 4.69 hours, and an effective half-life of 16.51 +/− 3.48 and 16.48 +/− 4.26 hours. In the Immuninehep-minus crossover study (n = 26), Immuninehep-minus and Bebulin had, respectively, a recovery of 0.92 +/− 0.31 and 1.02 +/− 0.36 IU per dL per IU per kg, a compartmental half-life of 17.42 +/− 5.60 and 18.77 +/− 6.27 hours, and an effective half-life of 16.39 +/− 4.44 and 16.48 +/− 4.28 hours. Equivalence tests indicated that the recovery and half-life of Immunine, with or without heparin, are equivalent to those of Bebulin. CONCLUSION: The equivalence in pharmacokinetics and bioavailability indicates that the dosage schedule for Immunine should be the same as or very similar to that of Bebulin. The high specific activity of the former, however, allows administration at lower volumes.