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Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is effective in the treatment of patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).We sought to evaluate its efficacy in reducing the number of disease flares in adults with SLE. For this retrospective study, all patients seen at our institution over a six year period, 1999-2005, with the diagnosis of SLE treated with MMD were identified. Data regarding lupus flare was obtained for patients at least one and up to two years prior to starting MMF. The number of flares prior to MMF therapy was compared to the number of lupus flares in the one to two year period after starting MMF. Clinical assessment was performed with the SELENA-SLEDAI instrument. Differences between groups were compared using the signed rank test. The rate of flares (flares per person-year), before and after the introduction of MMF were compared assuming the occurrence of flares followed a Poisson distribution. In the evaluable 67 patients, the mean time period of followup prior to starting MMF was 14.1 months (range 0.3-24), mean time period of follow-up after starting MMF was 14.8 months (range 1.5-24); and mean MMF dose was 1328 mg/day (range 250-3000). The mean flare rate was reduced from 8.9 to 5.3 per 10 person-years and the mean prednisone dose was reduced on average 7.3 mg/day after starting MMF therapy. MMF treatment significantly reduced the total number of lupus flares and prednisone requirements. Even with the reduction in mean daily prednisone dose, both the SLEDAI and physican global assessment also improved during MMF therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of infliximab in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) and refractory bilateral posterior uveitis, and to assess the proportion of relapse-free subjects through months 12 and 24. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new structure of a circularly polarized dielectric antenna fed by a single coaxial probe is proposed. The configuration includes four identical holes enclosed in a cylindrical resonator. The structure offers a bandwidth of 5% and a good purity of polarization. The effects of altering geometrical parameters on antenna behavior are presented. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 45: 367–369, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20825 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a new configuration which enhances the impedance bandwidth (we obtain an increase of 80%) and exhibits dual-frequency operation. The characteristics of the new structure are measured and discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 42: 432–434, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20327 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A concept of an original compact dual-band circularly polarized structure antenna is presented. It consists of a dielectric resonator antenna associated with a microstrip one. This antenna has a return-loss bandwidth superior to 6% for each band, and offers in circular polarization a great axial ratio. Such a structure maybe useful for spatial applications. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 418–420, 2002. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dual-frequency cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna is presented. This paper proposes a configuration in which the shape and volume of the radiating structure remain unchanged. The behaviour of this antenna after altering some of its attributes is investigated. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 9–10, 2003 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 61-year-old female with a history of vaginal dryness, Raynaud’s phenomenon, xerostomia and xerophthalmia presented with exertional dyspnoea and weakness. Laboratory and instrumental examinations enabled us to make the diagnosis of primary Sjögren’s syndrome, while cardiologic and imaging investigations evidenced isolated pulmonary hypertension and ruled out pulmonary fibrosis. Oral anticoagulant and furosemide therapy induced a partial improvement of exertional dyspnoea and weakness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 35-year-old female with a history of Hashimoto''s thyroiditis (HT) presented with episodic dysphasia and a burst of axial jerks with abdominal muscle contraction and asymmetric blepharospasm as manifestations of encephalopathy associated with HT. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed scattered supratentorial white matter hyperintense T2 foci. Brain single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) demonstrated a cortical hypoperfusion in the upper frontal and parietal areas. Corticosteroid therapy induced a rapid improvement of the clinical picture. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Coronary angiography is considered to be the gold standard technique for assessing the severity of obstructive luminal narrowing; however, in a few circumstances it may be misleading. In these cases, cardiac computed tomography (CT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) may help to give a correct interpretation. In this report, we describe the case of a 62-year-old man whose effort angina was first evaluated with coronary angiography, but whose severe stenosis of the right coronary artery was only observed on cardiac CT and IVUS. This additional diagnosis promptly resulted in a therapeutic approach with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]