First Record of Euphoria lurida Fabricius (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Injurious to Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) (Asterales: Asteraceae) in Brazil

We present the first report on Euphoria lurida (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) infestation on safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), a crop of industrial and medicinal importance. Between September and October 2013-2015 in Paraná State, we observed E. lurida adults feeding on safflower plants from the inception of flower head formation onwards, over an area of approximately 400 m². Losses in the productivity of infested plants were estimated between 15 and 50%. The damage was characterized by perforations in the upper portion and at the base of the developing flower heads or open flowers, resulting in withering and abortion of the reproductive structures.

Probability of remission of juvenile idiopathic arthritis following treatment with steroid joint injection

OBJECTIVES

Steroid joint injection is indicated as starting treatment for juvenile idiopathic arthritis, but its effect as single treatment has not been explored. Our aim was to estimate arthritis remission probability after single or repeated injections.

METHODS

Conduct a retrospective analysis of inactive arthritis status, remission on medication and remission off medication, estimating cumulative probability and mean time to survival, from the first joint injection session to the last follow-up visit or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs initiation. Remission and time to achieve remission status after single or repeated injections were compared.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven patients with 4-year medium follow-up and 254 treated joints, were reviewed. Eighty-three percent of the individuals had oligoarticular subtype and 57% had persistent oligoarticular course. Overall, 26% achieved remission off medication status, 4% remission on medication and 38% initiated disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Survival analysis resulted in mean time of achieving inactive disease status, remission on medication and off medication of 8, 11 and 56 months, respectively. The cumulative probability of remission off medication was 2% at 12 months, 8% at 24 months and 18% at 36 months. Frequency of inactive disease, remission on medication and remission off medication status decreased proportionally following repeated joint injections in comparison with the frequency of the same status for those receiving single treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The dropout rates due to anti-rheumatic drugs initiation indicated limited long-term benefits of intra-articular steroids for juvenile idiopathic arthritis.