Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometric Method and a Fluorometric 96 Well Plate Assay for Determination of Thiamine in Salmonid Eggs.

Thiamine deficiency is a large contributor to reduced reproduction success among salmonids throughout the northern hemisphere. In Scandinavia, this reproduction disorder is known as M74; while in North America, it is known as early mortality syndrome (EMS). The disorder fluctuates in magnitude from year to year.

Ferredoxin C2 is required for chlorophyll biosynthesis and accumulation of photosynthetic antennae in Arabidopsis.

Ferredoxins (Fd) are small iron-sulphur proteins, with sub-types that have evolved for specific redox functions. Ferredoxin C2 (FdC2) proteins are essential Fd homologues conserved in all photosynthetic organisms and a number of different FdC2 functions have been proposed in angiosperms. Here we use RNAi silencing in Arabidopsis thaliana to generate a viable fdC2 mutant line with near-depleted FdC2 protein levels.

Normative Data and Conversion Equation for Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in an International Healthy Control Cohort.

Background: Spectral-domain (SD-) optical coherence tomography (OCT) can reliably measure axonal (peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer [pRNFL]) and neuronal (macular ganglion cell + inner plexiform layer [GCIPL]) thinning in the retina. Measurements from 2 commonly used SD-OCT devices are often pooled together in multiple sclerosis (MS) studies and clinical trials despite software and segmentation algorithm differences; however, individual pRNFL and GCIPL thickness measurements are not interchangeable between devices. In some circumstances, such as in the absence of a consistent OCT segmentation algorithm across platforms, a conversion equation to transform measurements between devices may be useful to facilitate pooling of data.

The Role of Optical Coherence Tomography Criteria and Machine Learning in Multiple Sclerosis and Optic Neuritis Diagnosis.

Background And Objectives: Recent studies have suggested that intereye differences (IEDs) in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) or ganglion cell + inner plexiform (GCIPL) thickness by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) may identify people with a history of unilateral optic neuritis (ON). However, this requires further validation. Machine learning classification may be useful for validating thresholds for OCT IEDs and for examining added utility for visual function tests, such as low-contrast letter acuity (LCLA), in the diagnosis of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and for unilateral ON history.

Impaired saccadic eye movements in multiple sclerosis are related to altered functional connectivity of the oculomotor brain network.

Background: Impaired eye movements in multiple sclerosis (MS) are common and could represent a non-invasive and accurate measure of (dys)functioning of interconnected areas within the complex brain network. The aim of this study was to test whether altered saccadic eye movements are related to changes in functional connectivity (FC) in patients with MS.

Methods: Cross-sectional eye movement (pro-saccades and anti-saccades) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) data from the Amsterdam MS cohort were included from 176 MS patients and 33 healthy controls.

[Transgender health and healthcare during the COVID‑19 pandemic: a cross-sectional online survey in German-speaking countries].

Background And Objective: Since spring of 2020, the COVID‑19 pandemic has disrupted our day-to-day lives and led to negative consequences in various areas of life, including mental and physical wellbeing. In this article, we take a closer look at the situation of trans people, who - due to experiences with discrimination and marginalization as well as their specific health-related interests - could be characterized by a particular vulnerability.

Methods: Using an online cross-sectional survey, which we designed collaboratively with experts from the trans community, we investigated the mental and physical health of trans people from German-speaking countries and their access to trans-related healthcare during the COVID‑19 pandemic in the period from 1 May 2020 to 31 January 2021.

APOSTEL 2.0 Recommendations for Reporting Quantitative Optical Coherence Tomography Studies.

Objective: To update the consensus recommendations for reporting of quantitative optical coherence tomography (OCT) study results, thus revising the previously published Advised Protocol for OCT Study Terminology and Elements (APOSTEL) recommendations.

Methods: To identify studies reporting quantitative OCT results, we performed a PubMed search for the terms "quantitative" and "optical coherence tomography" from 2015 to 2017. Corresponding authors of the identified publications were invited to provide feedback on the initial APOSTEL recommendations via online surveys following the principle of a modified Delphi method.

A model for interrogating the clinico-radiological paradox in multiple sclerosis: Internuclear ophthalmoplegia.

Background And Purpose: The clinico-radiological paradox in multiple sclerosis (MS) is well recognized, relevant and yet poorly understood. The suitability of an in vivo model for the clinico-radiological paradox was tested, using internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO) and the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study lesions of the MLF were rated by an experienced MS neuroradiologist blinded to all other information.

Clinico-radiological dissociation of disease activity in MS patients: frequency and clinical relevance.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and clinical relevance regarding disability progression in multiple sclerosis patients with a dissociation in clinical and radiological disease expression.

Methods: We prospectively selected patients with early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) or a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) from the Amsterdam MS cohort. Patients underwent clinical examination at baseline, after 2 years, 6 years and a subset also after 11 years, including the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), 25-foot walk test (25-FWT) and 9-hole peg test (9-HPT).

Longitudinal Development of Peripapillary Hyper-Reflective Ovoid Masslike Structures Suggests a Novel Pathological Pathway in Multiple Sclerosis.

Objective: Peripapillary hyper-reflective ovoid masslike structures (PHOMS) are a new spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) finding.

Methods: This prospective, longitudinal study included patients (n = 212) with multiple sclerosis (MS; n = 418 eyes), 59 healthy controls (HCs; n = 117 eyes), and 267 non-MS disease controls (534 eyes). OCT and diffusion tensor imaging were used.

Protective effects of 4-aminopyridine in experimental optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis.

Chronic disability in multiple sclerosis is linked to neuroaxonal degeneration. 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) is used and licensed as a symptomatic treatment to ameliorate ambulatory disability in multiple sclerosis. The presumed mode of action is via blockade of axonal voltage gated potassium channels, thereby enhancing conduction in demyelinated axons.

Saccadic delay in multiple sclerosis: A quantitative description.

In multiple sclerosis (MS), eye movement disorders are common and can be quantified with infrared video-oculography. A well-known abnormality is internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO). This study aims to describe saccadic abnormalities beyond INO and investigate their clinical relevance.

Severe thiamine deficiency in eastern Baltic cod (Gadus morhua).

The eastern Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) population has been decreasing in the Baltic Sea for at least 30 years. Condition indices of the Baltic cod have decreased, and previous studies have suggested that this might be due to overfishing, predation, lower dissolved oxygen or changes in salinity. However, numerous studies from the Baltic Sea have demonstrated an ongoing thiamine deficiency in several animal classes, both invertebrates and vertebrates.

Monitoring retinal changes with optical coherence tomography predicts neuronal loss in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Background: Retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a clinical and research tool in multiple sclerosis, where it has shown significant retinal nerve fiber (RNFL) and ganglion cell (RGC) layer thinning, while postmortem studies have reported RGC loss. Although retinal pathology in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) has been described, comparative OCT studies among EAE models are scarce. Furthermore, the best practices for the implementation of OCT in the EAE lab, especially with afoveate animals like rodents, remain undefined.

Retinal inner nuclear layer volume reflects inflammatory disease activity in multiple sclerosis; a longitudinal OCT study.

Background: The association of peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness with neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS) is well established. The relationship of the adjoining inner nuclear layer (INL) with inflammatory disease activity is less well understood.

Objective: The objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship of INL volume changes with inflammatory disease activity in MS.

Infratentorial and spinal cord lesions: Cumulative predictors of long-term disability?

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether early infratentorial and/or spinal cord lesions are long-term cumulative predictors of disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: We selected 153 MS patients from the longitudinal Amsterdam MS cohort. Lesion analysis was performed at baseline and year 2.

Objective quantification of vitreous haze on optical coherence tomography scans: no evidence for relationship between uveitis and inflammation in multiple sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: The occurrence of intermediate uveitis, which is characterized by the presence of vitreous haze (VH), in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may be a sign of coexistent inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disease activity. Using an automated algorithm to quantify VH on optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans, the aim was to investigate whether VH in MS patients is associated with signs of inflammatory CNS disease activity.

Methods: Vitreous haze was quantified on OCT macular volume scans of 290 MS patients and 85 healthy controls (HCs).

Long-term disease activity and disability progression in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients on natalizumab.

Background: Natalizumab is an effective treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Data on clinical and imaging measures predictive of disease activity and progression during treatment is limited.

Objective: To determine clinical and imaging predictors of long-term inflammatory disease activity and disability progression in RRMS patients on natalizumab.

Saccadic fatigability in the oculomotor system.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS), but challenging to quantify. This prospective study investigated if repeated saccadic eye movements enable measurement of oculomotor fatigability and can reflect on perceived fatigue in MS.

Methods: A standardized infrared oculography protocol (DEMoNS) was used for quantifying saccades in MS patients and healthy controls which included a first and a repeated pro-saccadic task (FPT and RPT).

Diagnosing and quantifying a common deficit in multiple sclerosis: Internuclear ophthalmoplegia.

Objective: We present an objective and quantitative approach for diagnosing internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO) in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: A validated standardized infrared oculography protocol (DEMoNS [Demonstrate Eye Movement Networks with Saccades]) was used for quantifying prosaccades in patients with MS and healthy controls (HCs). The versional dysconjugacy index (VDI) was calculated, which describes the ratio between the abducting and adducting eye.

Quantification of Visual Fixation in Multiple Sclerosis.

Purpose: Eye movement abnormalities are common in multiple sclerosis (MS), and infrared oculography is a noninvasive method for quantification. This study aims to describe and classify abnormalities of visual fixation and their clinical relevance in MS.

Methods: A validated standardized infrared oculography protocol, Demonstrate Eye Movement Networks with Saccades, was used for quantifying gaze stability during a fixation task in MS patients and healthy controls.

Optimal intereye difference thresholds by optical coherence tomography in multiple sclerosis: An international study.

Objective: To determine the optimal thresholds for intereye differences in retinal nerve fiber and ganglion cell + inner plexiform layer thicknesses for identifying unilateral optic nerve lesions in multiple sclerosis. Current international diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis do not include the optic nerve as a lesion site despite frequent involvement. Optical coherence tomography detects retinal thinning associated with optic nerve lesions.

Predicting clinical progression in multiple sclerosis after 6 and 12 years.

Background And Purpose: To predict disability and cognition in multiple sclerosis (MS) after 6 and 12 years, using early clinical and imaging measures.

Methods: A total of 115 patients with MS were selected and followed up after 2 and 6 years, with 79 patients also being followed up after 12 years. Disability was measured using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS); cognition was measured only at follow-up using neuropsychological testing.

Acid sphingomyelinase: No potential as a biomarker for multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) lacks reliable biomarkers that reflect disease activity. Recent evidence suggests that an altered sphingolipid metabolism is associated with MS pathogenesis.

Objective: To explore acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) activity and altered sphingolipid metabolism as potential biomarkers in serum of MS patients, to predict active and progressive disease, and response to disease modifying therapy (DMT).