Eculizumab therapy and complement regulation in a case of resistant catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome.

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a life-threatening form of antiphospholipid syndrome characterised by diffuse arterial and venous thrombosis, in the presence of positive antiphospholipid antibodies. The multiple sites of thrombosis in small, medium and large vessels progress to multiorgan failure, accounting for the high mortality rate associated with CAPS. Unregulated complement activation is increasingly recognised as critical to the pathogenesis of CAPS.

Abdominal vagus nerve stimulation alleviates collagen-induced arthritis in rats.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory disease. Despite therapeutic advances, a significant proportion of RA patients are resistant to pharmacological treatment. Stimulation of the cervical vagus nerve is a promising alternative bioelectric neuromodulation therapeutic approach.

Paraneoplastic systemic lupus erythematosus associated with colorectal cancer.

A 64-year-old gentleman initially presented with nephrotic syndrome and membranous nephropathy with positive staining for C1q, which was suspicious for lupus membranous nephritis. Investigation led to the simultaneous diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). The CRC was surgically excised and the patient's nephrotic syndrome resolved.

Perceptions of Doppler ultrasound for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity assessment and education.

Aim: The aim of this qualitative study was to report the findings of the Defining rheumatoid arthritis progression using Doppler Ultrasound in Clinical practice (DEDUCE) Medical Practice Activity, which was developed to facilitate the utilization of Doppler ultrasound (DUS) by Australian rheumatologists in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Method: Twenty-one rheumatologists recruited a total of 80 patients with RA in Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS28) remission for DUS assessment and completed a pre- and post-activity questionnaire assessing their experience with DUS, as well as a 6-month follow-up questionnaire. Rheumatologists discussed DUS results with patients using visual aids.