Antibodies from Multiple Sclerosis Brain Identified Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 1 & 2 Epitopes which Are Recognized by Oligoclonal Bands.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), the etiology of which is poorly understood. The most common laboratory abnormality associated with MS is increased intrathecal immunoglobulin G (IgG) synthesis and the presence of oligoclonal bands (OCBs) in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, the major antigenic targets of these antibody responses are unknown.

Can Planned Traffic Patterns Improve Survival Among the Injured During Mass Casualty Motorcycle Rallies?

Background: Mass casualty events are infrequent and create an abrupt surge of patients requiring emergency medical services within a brief period. We hypothesize that implementation of a controlled "traffic loop" pattern during a planned high-volume motorcycle rally could improve overall mortality and impact patient outcomes.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all motorcycle-related injuries during the city's annual motorcycle rally over a 4-y period.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in patients with preexisting gastroesophageal reflux disease : a national analysis.

Objectives: To analyze the effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to compare the results of LSG vs gastric bypass (GB) among patients with known GERD.

Design, Setting, And Patients: We performed a retrospective review of the Bariatric Outcomes Longitudinal Database from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2010, including inpatient and all outpatient follow-up data. We compared patients undergoing LSG with a concurrent cohort undergoing GB.

Intrathecal pathogenic anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies in early neuromyelitis optica.

Objective: The serum of most neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients contains autoantibodies (NMO-IgGs) directed against the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel located on astrocyte foot processes in the perivessel and subpial areas of the brain. Our objectives were to determine the source of central nervous system (CNS) NMO-IgGs and their role in disease pathogenesis.

Methods: Fluorescence-activated cell sorting and single-cell reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction were used to identify overrepresented plasma cell immunoglobulin (Ig) sequences in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of an NMO patient after a first clinical attack.

Antibodies produced by clonally expanded plasma cells in multiple sclerosis cerebrospinal fluid.

Objective: Intrathecal IgG synthesis, persistence of bands of oligoclonal IgG, and memory B-cell clonal expansion are well-characterized features of the humoral response in multiple sclerosis (MS). Nevertheless, the target antigen of this response remains enigmatic.

Methods: We produced 53 different human IgG1 monoclonal recombinant antibodies (rAbs) by coexpressing paired heavy- and light-chain variable region sequences of 51 plasma cell clones and 2 B-lymphocyte clones from MS cerebrospinal fluid in human tissue culture cells.