French validation of the sexual complaints screener (SCS) for patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Sexual dysfunctions are frequent in the general population and even more frequent in individuals with chronic neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis (MS). Several studies indicate that patients would like healthcare workers to address sexual problems. Indeed, such complaints are not currently sufficiently detected and treated.

Rituximab alone is as effective as associated with steroids on naive patients with generalized myasthenia gravis.

Introduction: Rituximab (RTX) has been proven effective in managing refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (MG), and its use is increasing worldwide. MG stabilization may initially require oral corticosteroid (CS) therapy, but its long-term side effects require the shortest duration of treatment. We studied the clinical effectiveness and usefulness of corticosteroids associated with RTX compared to RTX alone on MG remission.

Kappa Free Light Chain Index Predicts Disease Course in Clinically and Radiologically Isolated Syndromes.

Background And Objectives: To evaluate whether the kappa free light chain index (K-index) can predict the occurrence of new T2-weighted MRI lesions (T2L) and clinical events in clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS).

Methods: All consecutive patients presenting for the diagnostic workup, including CSF analysis, of clinical and/or MRI suspicion of multiple sclerosis (MS) since May 1, 2018, were evaluated. All patients diagnosed with CIS and RIS with at least 1-year follow-up were included.

Reliability of mobile video-oculography in multiple sclerosis patients using an iPad: A prospective validation study.

Background: Video-oculography (VOG) could be useful for monitoring neurodegenerative diseases and multiple sclerosis (MS), as a high prevalence of subclinical eye movements abnormalities (EMA) has been previously reported, with a potential prognostic value regarding disease evolution. However, access to VOG is limited in clinical practice.

Objective: To evaluate the reliability of VOG recordings performed using eVOG, a mobile application developed on an iPad.

Kappa Free Light Chains, Soluble Interleukin-2 Receptor, and Interleukin-6 Help Explore Patients Presenting With Brain White Matter Hyperintensities.

Introduction: Many patients are referred to multiple sclerosis (MS) tertiary centers to manage brain white matter hyperintensities (WMH). Multiple diagnoses can match in such situations, and we lack proper tools to diagnose complex cases.

Objective: This study aimed to prospectively analyze and correlate with the final diagnosis, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) interleukin (IL)-1β, soluble IL-2 receptor (CD25), IL-6, IL-10, and kappa free light chains (KFLC) concentrations in patients presenting with brain WMH.

Should we still only rely on EDSS to evaluate disability in multiple sclerosis patients? A study of inter and intra rater reliability.

Background: Few studies assessed reliability and inter-rater variability of EDSS and functional parameters (FP) rating.

Objective: To evaluate inter-rater variability and errors in EDSS and FP rating in junior (JN) and MS Neurologists (MSN).

Method: Patients with MS were examined by a JN and a MSN on the same day.

Papilledema secondary to vestibular schwannoma: An atypical case without intracranial hypertension.

In most cases, vestibular schwannomas with papilledema are associated with intracranial hypertension secondary to hydrocephalus (obstructive or communicating). We describe the atypical case of a 39-years-old man who presented with bilateral papilledema revealing a vestibular schwannoma, but without hydrocephalus and with normal intracranial pressure. Ophtalmologic signs were completely resolved after tumor removal.

Modified zeolite-supported biofilm in service of pesticide biodegradation.

The development of biofilms on modified natural zeolites was investigated with purpose to obtain biocomposites with biodegradation activity towards pesticides MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) and glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) for potential application in bioaugmentation of polluted agricultural soils. Microbial communities were selected from agricultural pesticide-contaminated soil/water samples and enriched on the basis of their ability to biodegrade the pesticides. In order to enhance affinity of microbial communities to the support material, the natural mineral zeolite was modified by nontoxic environmentally friendly cations (Li, Na, K, NH, H, Mg, Ca, Fe) by methods preserving its structure and characterised using powder XRD, surface area measurement and chemical composition analysis.

Memory B Cells Predict Relapse in Rituximab-Treated Myasthenia Gravis.

Myasthenia gravis can be efficiently treated with rituximab but there is no consensus regarding administration and dose schedules in this indication. No marker has yet been described to predict the clinical relapse of patients. Our objective was to identify the B cell subpopulations predicting clinical relapse in patients suffering from generalized myasthenia gravis and treated with rituximab.

Thalamic atrophy correlates with dysfunctional impulsivity in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Recent studies highlight the central role of thalamic atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) related disorders. Behavioural aspects of (MS) are rarely explored but their investigation is of high interest. Dickman's Impulsiveness Inventory (DII) allows distinguishing functional impulsivity (FI) which is the ability to react fast and properly when necessary, from dysfunctional impulsivity (DI) which is a behavioural symptom corresponding to the tendency to miss forethought before acting.

Immunoglobulin G4-related hypertrophic pachymeningitis: A case-oriented review.

Objective: Meningeal involvement in Immunoglobulin G (IgG)-4-related disease is rare and only described in case reports and series. Because a review into the disease is lacking, we present 2 cases followed by a literature review of IgG4-related hypertrophic pachymeningitis (IgG4-HP).

Methods: Two IgG4-HP cases were reported, one involving the spinal cord and responding to surgical management and a second involving the brain and responding to Rituximab therapy.

Prospective study of the additional benefit of plexus magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Background And Purpose: Hypertrophy/signal hyperintensity and/or gadolinium enhancement of plexus structures on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are observed in two-thirds of cases of typical chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). The objective of our study was to determine the additional benefit of plexus MRI in patients referred to tertiary centers with baseline clinical and electrophysiological characteristics suggestive of typical or atypical CIDP.

Methods: A total of 28 consecutive patients with initial suspicion of CIDP were recruited in nine centers and followed for 2 years.

Digestive side-effects with teriflunomide: Thoughts on lactose.

Introduction: Teriflunomide, a novel, orally bioavailable, active metabolite of leflunomide, has anti-inflammatory activity. It is prescribed as a first-line treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) at a dose of one 14mg tablet per day. Common adverse reactions observed in placebo-controlled trials with a frequency≥10% and a rate twofold or more than reported with placebo, include digestive disorders.

Only Follow-Up of Memory B Cells Helps Monitor Rituximab Administration to Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders.

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are identified as a spectrum of inflammatory demyelinating disorders involving the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. These disorders require early diagnosis and highly active immunosuppressive treatment. Rituximab (RTX) has demonstrated efficacy in limiting relapse in NMOSD when using several administration schedules.

Therapeutic target of memory B cells depletion helps to tailor administration frequency of rituximab in myasthenia gravis.

Rituximab (RTX) has demonstrated efficacy in limiting relapses in myasthenia gravis (MG). We investigated the interest of CD27+ memory B cell monitoring in patients as a biological marker of clinical relapse. Twenty-four patients have been treated with RTX (375mg/m(2)/week-month as an induction treatment).

Hybridization trends for main group elements and expanding the Bent's rule beyond carbon: more than electronegativity.

Trends in hybridization were systematically analyzed through the combination of DFT calculations with NBO analysis for the five elements X (X = B, C, N, O, and F) in 75 HnX-YHm compounds, where Y spans the groups 13-17 of the periods 2-4. This set of substrates probes the flexibility of the hybridization at five atoms X through variations in electronegativity, polarizability, and orbital size of Y. The results illustrate the scope and limitations of the Bent's rule, the classic correlation between electronegativity and hybridization, commonly used in analyzing structural effects in carbon compounds.

[Electrodiagnostic criteria for early diagnosis of bulbar-onset ALS: a comparison of El Escorial, revised El Escorial and Awaji algorithm].

Introduction: Diagnosis of bulbar ALS is difficult at the early stage of the disease. According to guidelines, early diagnosis is better in view to optimize the management of affected patients. To improve the sensitivity without losing specificity of the prior criteria, the Board of Awaji has proposed modified electrodiagnostic criteria for ALS.

MyD88 is involved in myeloid as well as lymphoid hematopoiesis independent of the presence of a pathogen.

MyD88 was originally described as a primary response gene up-regulated during myeloid differentiation after IL-6 induction. Later, MyD88 was shown to be a key molecule necessary for IL1, IL18 and Toll-like receptor signaling. Since these receptors recognize abundantly produced cytokines during infection or molecular patterns of pathogens, MyD88 itself was suggested to be an important regulator of the first line of defense against invading pathogens, including the differentiation and maturation of myeloid cells.

Brain natriuretic peptide: a relevant marker to rule out delayed atrial fibrillation in stroke patient.

Detection of new atrial fibrillation (AF) after ischemic stroke is challenging. The aim of the TARGET-AF study was to identify relevant markers for ruling out delayed AF in stroke patients. Early and prolonged Holter electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring during hospitalization was performed systematically in consecutive acute stroke patients naive to AF (no history of AF or no AF on baseline ECG).

Multi-enzymatic one-pot reduction of dehydrocholic acid to 12-keto-ursodeoxycholic acid with whole-cell biocatalysts.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a bile acid of industrial interest as it is used as an agent for the treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis and the medicamentous, non-surgical dissolution of gallstones. Currently, it is prepared industrially from cholic acid following a seven-step chemical procedure with an overall yield of <30%. In this study, we investigated the key enzymatic steps in the chemo-enzymatic preparation of UDCA-the two-step reduction of dehydrocholic acid (DHCA) to 12-keto-ursodeoxycholic acid using a mutant of 7β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7β-HSDH) from Collinsella aerofaciens and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSDH) from Comamonas testosteroni.