Conclusions: Danazol is a useful drug in the treatment of SLE patients, especially in patients with
refractory thrombocytopenia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and premenstrual flares, and in some mild nonhematologic manifestations of SLE. It appears to be relatively well tolerated, safe, and efficacious. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Semin Arthritis Rheum 40:298-306″
“Purpose To compare volume-occupying rate of cervical spinal canal between patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and normal subjects, and to investigate its significance in cervical spine disease.
Methods Spiral computed tomography (CT) scan (C4-C6 cervical spine unit) was performed in 20 normal subjects and 36 cases of CSM at a neutral GSK1120212 nmr position, and data were transferred to the Advantage Workstation Version 4.2 for assessment. Bony canal area and fibrous canal area in each cross section, and sagittal diameters of cervical spinal canal and cervical spinal body were measured. Volume-occupying rate of cervical spinal canal was calculated using MATLAB. Cervical spinal canal ratio and effective cervical spinal canal ratio were calculated, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association score was used to assess cervical spinal cord function.
Results Volume-occupying rate of cervical spinal canal at a neutral position was significantly higher in CSM patients as compared to normal subjects (P < 0.01). There was no
correlation SN-38 between cervical spinal canal ratio and JOA score in CSM patients, with a Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.171 (P > 0.05). However, sagittal diameter of secondary cervical spinal canal, effective cervical spinal canal ratio and volume-occupying rate of cervical spinal canal were significantly associated to JOA score, with Pearson’s AZD1390 coefficient correlations of 0.439 (P < 0.05), 0.491 (P < 0.05) and -0.613 (P < 0.01), respectively.
Conclusions Volume-occupying rate of
cervical spinal canal is an objective reflection of compression on cervical spine and spinal cord, and it is associated with cervical spinal cord function. These suggest that it may play a significant role in predicting the development of CSM.”
“Objectives: Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is the active form of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), which is currently used off-label as immunosuppressive therapy in childhood-onset SLE (cSLE). The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the pharmacokinetics (MPA-PK) and pharmacodynamics (MPA-PD) of MPA and (2) explore the relationship between MPA-PK and cSLE disease activity.
Methods: MPA-PK [area under the curve from 0-12 hours (AUC(0-12))] and MPA-PD [inosine-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) activity] were evaluated in cSLE patients on stable MMF dosing. Change in SLE disease activity while on MMF therapy was measured using the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index.