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Purpose: To develop an algorithm for the diagnosis of Behçet's disease (BD) uveitis based on ocular findings. Methods: Following an initial survey among uveitis experts, we collected multi-center retrospective data on 211 patients with BD uveitis and 207 patients with other uveitides, and identified ocular findings with a high diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Subsequently, we collected multi-center prospective data on 127 patients with BD uveitis and 322 controls and developed a diagnostic algorithm using Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis and expert opinion. Results: We identified 10 items with DOR >5. The items that provided the highest accuracy in CART analysis included superficial retinal infiltrate, signs of occlusive retinal vasculitis, and diffuse retinal capillary leakage as well as the absence of granulomatous anterior uveitis or choroiditis in patients with vitritis. Conclusion: This study provides a diagnostic tree for BD uveitis that needs to be validated in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the superiority of gevokizumab as compared to placebo, on top of current standard of care, in reducing the risk of Behçet's disease uveitis (BDU) exacerbations.Methods: Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel group, event-driven trial in BDU patients having recently experienced an ocular exacerbation, subsequently undergoing a tapering procedure from high-dose corticosteroids and receiving 60 mg gevokizumab or placebo every 4 weeks subcutaneously (EYEGUARD B-ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 01965145).Results: A total of 83 patients (40 gevokizumab, 43 placebo) were included. Gevokizumab did not significantly affect the risk of occurrence of ocular exacerbations. However, data suggested that gevokizumab could preserve visual acuity, reduce the uveitis severity, decrease the emergence of macular edema, and have a corticosteroid sparing effect. Gevokizumab was well tolerated.Conclusions: While the primary efficacy endpoint was not met with gevokizumab, the control of IL-1β pathway in patients with BDU may still be a relevant target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and characterization of peripherally ({1-[(Z or E)-phenylazo]-2-naphthyl} oxy) tetra-substituted metal-free and metallo (Zn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II)) phthalocyanines are described in this study. Aggregation properties of these compounds were investigated in the concentration range of 20–1 μM in tetrahydrofuran. Spectroscopic and photophysical properties of these phthalocyanines have been investigated in tetrahydrofuran. Thin films of metallophthalocyanines were prepared by spin coating technique. Results show that transmittance values of the films change with respect to the metal ions in the visible and Q absorptions regions. Films were also annealed at 100, 200 and 300 °C and their optical properties were investigated as a function of annealing temperature. The spectrophotometric measurements of transmittance spectra were carried out in the wavelength range 200–1000 nm. Results showed that transmittance values of ZnPc thin films were increased as a result of heat treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common form of autoinflammatory diseases. We aimed to evaluate the small bowel mucosa by capsule endoscopy (CE) in FMF patients for investigation of other possible causes of abdominal pain. Material and methods. The study group consisted of 41 patients with FMF. A standard questionnaire was used to record the gastrointestinal symptoms, other clinical findings, Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) mutations, and history of medications including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Gastroscopy, colonoscopy and small bowel CE were performed in all patients, and biopsies were taken from terminal ileum and duodenum. Results. The mean age of the patients was 34 ± 11 years, 63% of them were female, and 76.5% of them were carrying MEFV exon 10 mutations. Only one patient used NSAIDs in addition to colchicine. In endoscopic investigations, gastric erosion was detected in only one patient, and no significant findings were detected in colonoscopy. CE showed small bowel mucosal defects in 44% (erosions in 26.8%, ulcer in 17.1%) and edema in 29.3% of the patients. Most (64%) of the ulcer and erosions were localized to jejunum, and only 24% were in ileum. Mitotic changes as an indirect finding of colchicine toxicity were not different from the changes observed in samples of independent group of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Conclusion. Mucosal defect was observed in half of the FMF patients, which may be associated with underlying inflammation or chronic colchicine exposure. Detection of nonspecific chronic inflammation without mitotic changes supports that mucosal defects may be associated with the autoinflammatory process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]