Abnormal multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) in ethambutol toxicity.

OBJECTIVE: To report the abnormal multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) findings in two cases of presumed ethambutol toxicity. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Two patients with ethambutol toxicity and visual loss. TESTING: Multifocal electroretinography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Waveform measurements on multifocal electroretinography. RESULTS: Two patients with bilateral visual loss due to ethambutol toxicity underwent mfERG testing that disclosed both diffuse and central field loss compatible with retinal dysfunction as a contributing mechanism to the visual field loss. CONCLUSION: Ethambutol toxicity affects not only the optic nerve but probably other retinal elements based upon abnormal mfERG findings.

Induction of IL-1Ra in resistant and responsive hepatitis C patients following treatment with IFN-con1.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is resistant to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in some patients. The mechanism of this resistance is unknown. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is induced by IFN-alpha and is a good indicator of IFN activity. In the current study, we compared IL-1Ra levels in rapid virologic responders and flat responders who showed resistance to IFN. Three groups of patients were examined, including those who received a single dose of consensus IFN (IFN-con1), patients who received daily IFN-con1 for 1 week, and patients who received IFN-con1 daily for 24 weeks. Serum IL-1Ra, IL-6, and HCV RNA were measured serially in all groups. Serum IL-1Ra levels increased rapidly in all patients with hepatitis C after IFN-alpha administration, irrespective of their virologic response. IL-1Ra levels remained elevated at 1 week but were similar to baseline by week 2 of treatment in patients receiving continuous therapy. IL-6 levels also increased acutely but rose more slowly than IL-1Ra levels. The increase in IL-1Ra and IL-6 observed in both flat and rapid virologic responders indicates that IFN receptors are functioning in patients with IFN-resistant hepatitis C and that the lack of response is related to other virologic or immunologic factors.

The case for human agency, well-being, and community reintegration for people aging in prison: a statewide case analysis.

This study profiled 2,913 adults aged 50 and older sentenced to a statewide correctional system and their parole eligibility status with implications for community reintegration, resettlement, and recovery needs. The research team developed the Correctional Tracking Data Extraction Tool to gather official data and personal and legal characteristics from a state department of corrections website. The majority of older prisoners were men from racial/ethnic minorities between the ages of 50 and 59 with a range of minor to serious offenses. Time served in prison ranged from 1 month to 45 years; more than 40% were eligible for parole within 5 years. These findings underscore the need for an intervention that can address the differing typologies and individual-level and systemic issues that gave rise to the aging prisoner population. Promising practices that address elements of a conceptual model in prison and community reintegration and recovery for older adult prisoners are reviewed.