Lower BAFF Levels in Myasthenic Patients Treated with Glucocorticoids.

B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a member of tumor necrosis factor family, activates B cells, promotes their survival and proliferation. BAFF is considered to have an influence on development of autoimmune diseases including myasthenia gravis (MG). We aimed to evaluate BAFF serum levels in MG patients, their potential connection with therapy and course of MG.

Determinants of Quality of Life in Myasthenia Gravis Patients.

Although approximately half of myasthenia gravis (MG) patents achieve remission, for the remaining group MG is often a life-long disease. Better understanding of the determinants of Quality of Life (QoL) in MG is needed to optimize treatment goals in chronic cases. We performed a single center cross-sectional study in 339 MG adult patients (64.

Serum interleukin 15 levels in patients with seropositive myasthenia gravis do not correlate with disease severity.

Aim: To assess interleukin 15 (IL-15) serum levels in patients with seropositive myasthenia gravis (MG); searching for potential relationship between IL-15 levels and clinical features such as gender, age at onset, clinical presentation or treatment received.

Background: IL-15 plays pivotal role in T-cell dependent autoimmunity. Increased IL-15 serum levels have been reported in several autoimmune diseases including MG patients from Japan.

Mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke - Five years of experience in Poland.

Objectives: Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is not reimbursed by the Polish public health system. We present a description of 5 years of experience with MT in acute stroke in Comprehensive Stroke Centers (CSCs) in Poland.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively analyzed the results of a structured questionnaire from 23 out of 25 identified CSCs and 22 data sets that include 61 clinical, radiological and outcome measures.

Prevalence and impact of autoimmune thyroid disease on myasthenia gravis course.

Objectives: Autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATDs) frequently accompany myasthenia gravis (MG) and may influence its course. We aimed to determine the association and impact of ATD with early- (<50 years), late-onset MG, or thymoma-MG.

Materials And Methods: Prevalence of ATD was measured in a cross-sectional study of 343 consecutive patients with MG (236 F, 107 M) aged 4-89 years; 83.

[A case of the Lambert-Eaton syndrome of non-neoplastic origin. Ten-year follow-up].

A case is presented of a 34-year-old man who developed weakness of the proximal muscles of the extremities, particularly lower, slight myalgia, and vegetative symptoms (dryness in the mouth). Those symptoms progressed within a month. On examination weakness of the muscles of the extremities was found as well as weak tendon reflexes, slight atrophy of muscles of the arms and thighs and apokamnosis.

Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with cryptogenic stroke.

Background: Paradoxical embolism due to the presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a well-established possible mechanism of ischaemic stroke of unknown origin. Mechanical sealing of the interatrial septum seems to be the most effective method for the prevention of stroke recurrences.

Aim: To assess prospectively the short- and mid-term results of transcatheter closure of PFO in consecutive patients with a history of cryptogenic ischaemic stroke.