Real-world experience of teriflunomide in relapsing multiple sclerosis: paramagnetic rim lesions may play a role.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to report the effectiveness and safety of teriflunomide in Chinese patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and to explore the association of paramagnetic rim lesion (PRL) burden with patient outcome in the context of teriflunomide treatment and the impact of teriflunomide on PRL burden.

Methods: This is a prospective observational study. A total of 100 RRMS patients treated with teriflunomide ≥3 months were included in analyzing drug persistence and safety.

The immune imbalance between follicular regulatory and helper T cells in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein IgG-associated disease.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a newly defined inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Currently, no immuno-modulatory treatment has been approved for MOGAD. We explored the function of follicular regularoty T (Tfr) and follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in patients with MOGAD.

Causal associations between prodromal infection and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A Mendelian randomization study.

Background And Purpose: Prodromal infections are associated with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), but it remains unclear which type of infection has a causal association with NMOSD. We aimed to explore the causal associations between four herpesvirus infections (chickenpox, cold sores, mononucleosis and shingles) and NMOSD, as well as between other types of infections and NMOSD.

Methods: For data on infections, we used the genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from the 23andMe cohort.

Clinical feature and disease outcome in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disorder: a Chinese study.

Background: To identify factors associated with relapse risk and disability in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disorder (MOGAD).

Method: Between 2016 and 2021, 186 patients with MOGAD were included in the study. Factors associated with a relapsing course, annualised relapse rate (ARR), recurrent relapses under different maintenance treatments and unfavourable disability outcome were analysed.

Directed evolution of the fusion enzyme for improving astaxanthin biosynthesis in .

The accumulation of the intermediate zeaxanthin and canthaxanthin in the astaxanthin biosynthesis pathway catalyzed by β-carotene hydroxylase () and β-carotene ketolase () decreases the content of the astaxanthin. Here, we exploited directed evolution of the fusion of and for improving astaxanthin biosynthesis in . The results demonstrated that the fusion enzyme of with 2 X GGGGS peptides linker can effectively reduce the accumulation of intermediates and improves the content of astaxanthin.

Baseline retinal nerve fiber layer thickness as a predictor of multiple sclerosis progression: New insights from the FREEDOMS II study.

Background And Purpose: The aim was to evaluate the potential of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) measured with optical coherence tomography in predicting disease progression in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Methods: Analyses were conducted post hoc of this 24-month, phase III, double-blind study, in which RRMS patients were randomized (1:1:1) to once daily oral fingolimod 0.5 mg, 1.

Deep learning-based relapse prediction of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with anti-aquaporin-4 antibody.

Objective: We previously identified the independent predictors of recurrent relapse in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) with anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab) and designed a nomogram to estimate the 1- and 2-year relapse-free probability, using the Cox proportional hazard (Cox-PH) model, assuming that the risk of relapse had a linear correlation with clinical variables. However, whether the linear assumption fits real disease tragedy is unknown. We aimed to employ deep learning and machine learning to develop a novel prediction model of relapse in patients with NMOSD and compare the performance with the conventional Cox-PH model.

Analysis of Pregnancy-Related Attacks in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Risk of relapse may be increased in the postpartum period of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Information regarding factors associated with pregnancy-related attacks is still lacking.

Objectives: To identify factors associated with pregnancy-related NMOSD attacks, investigate the integrated annualized relapse rate (ARR) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score in each phase of pregnancy, and summarize pregnancy outcomes and complications in patients with NMOSD.

The description of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: Patient registry in Yangtze River Delta area of China.

Objective: To describe the clinical features of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) through patient registry in Yangtze River Delta area of China.

Methods: A total of 502 consecutive patients diagnosed with aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab)-positive NMOSD were registered between December 2018 to January 2021 in multiple tertiary referral centers within the framework of Yangtze River Delta of China. Their baseline data were reviewed, and follow-up clinical information were collected prospectively.

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder With Anti-Aquaporin-4 Antibody: Outcome Prediction Models.

Background: Recognizing the predictors of disease relapses in patients with anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab)-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is essential for individualized treatment strategy. We aimed to identify the factors that predicted relapses among patients with AQP4-ab-positive NMOSD, develop outcome prediction models, and validate them in a multicenter validation cohort.

Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2020, 820 patients with NMOSD were registered at Huashan Hospital.

Efficacy and safety of azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and reduced dose of rituximab in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Background And Purpose: Data regarding the efficacy and safety of currently widely available preventive therapies in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are needed. We compared the efficacy and safety of azathioprine (AZA), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and reduced dose of rituximab (RTX) in NMOSD based on a large multicenter retrospective cohort.

Methods: Patients with aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody-positive NMOSD with AZA (n = 167), MMF (n = 131), or RTX (n = 55) as initial preventive treatment were included.

The Alteration of Circulating Lymphocyte Subsets During Tacrolimus Therapy in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder and Its Correlation With Clinical Outcomes.

Objectives: We aimed to explore the alteration of circulating lymphocyte subsets before and after tacrolimus (TAC) therapy in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and its correlation with clinical outcomes.

Methods: Anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab)-positive patients with NMOSD treated with TAC were followed and clinically evaluated at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months after initiation of TAC. Flow cytometry was employed to detect the proportion of various whole blood lymphocyte subsets at every time point.

Late onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with anti-aquaporin 4 and anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies.

Background And Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of late onset (≥50 years) neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (LO-NMOSD), and compare them with those of early onset (<50 years) NMOSD (EO-NMOSD) and NMOSD with various antibody serostatuses.

Methods: From January 2015 to December 2020, 360 anti-aquaporin 4 antibody (AQP4-ab)-positive and 130 anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-ab)-positive patients presented to the Huashan Hospital, China. We retrospectively reviewed their medical records, including the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score at each visit and the annualized relapse rate (ARR).

Serum Neurofilament Light and GFAP Are Associated With Disease Severity in Inflammatory Disorders With Aquaporin-4 or Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibodies.

To evaluate the potential of serum neurofilament light (sNfL) and serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) as disease biomarkers in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) with aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab) or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). Patients with AQP4-ab-positive NMOSD ( = 51), MOGAD ( = 42), and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) ( = 31 for sNfL and = 22 for sGFAP testing), as well as healthy controls (HCs) ( = 28), were enrolled prospectively. We assessed sNfL and sGFAP levels using ultrasensitive single-molecule array assays.

Low-dose tacrolimus in treating neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Background: The value of tacrolimus (TAC) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has not been fully demonstrated. In this study, we aimed to explore the effectiveness and safety of low-dose TAC in treating NMOSD.

Methods: Patients with NMOSD taking low-dose TAC were retrospectively collected.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in China: Quality of life and medical care experience.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is considered to be the most common subset of CNS inflammatory demyelinating diseases in China. We aimed to systematically evaluate the impact of NMOSD on Chinese patients' quality of life (QoL), medical care experience, family wellness and social life.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed involving 210 mostly AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD patients from 25 provinces across China.

Myelitis in inflammatory disorders associated with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody and aquaporin-4 antibody: A comparative study in Chinese Han patients.

Background And Purpose: Myelitis is an important clinical component of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-ab)-associated disease (MOGAD) and aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab)-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The aim of this work was to evaluate the differentiating features of myelitis between the two diseases.

Methods: Myelitis-related clinical and radiologic data from 130 patients with MOGAD and 125 patients with AQP4-ab-positive NMOSD were retrospectively reviewed and compared.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: pregnancy-related attack and predictive risk factors.

Objectives: To investigate the influence of pregnancy on patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and to identify risk factors that predict pregnancy-related attack.

Methods: From January 2015 to April 2019, 418 female patients with NMOSD were registered at Huashan Hospital. We retrospectively reviewed their medical records and identified 110 patients with 136 informative pregnancies, of whom 83 were aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab)-positive and 21 were myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-antibody-positive.

The imbalance between regulatory and memory B cells accompanied by an increased number of circulating T-follicular helper cells in MOG-antibody-associated demyelination.

Objective: To explore the alteration of T and B lymphocyte subsets proportions in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-antibody-associated demyelination.

Methods: 19 MOG-antibody-positive, 25 AQP4-antibody-positive and 25 double-negative NMOSD patients in the acute phase of the diseases were included in the study, as well as 29 healthy controls. The frequencies of different lymphocyte subsets, including CD19CD27 memory B cells, CD19CD24CD38, and CD19CD5CD1d regulatory B cells, IFN-γexpressing B cells, IL-10 expressing B cells and CD4CXCR5ICOST-follicular helper cells (T) were measured via flow cytometry and compared among the four groups.

Efficacy and Safety of Teriflunomide in Chinese Patients with Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis: A Subgroup Analysis of the Phase 3 TOWER Study.

Background: Disease-modifying therapy is the standard treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in remission. The primary objective of the current analysis was to assess the efficacy and safety of two teriflunomide doses (7 mg and 14 mg) in the subgroup of Chinese patients with relapsing MS included in the TOWER study.

Methods: TOWER was a multicenter, multinational, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group (three groups), placebo-controlled study.

Peripapillary and parafoveal vascular network assessment by optical coherence tomography angiography in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Background/aims: Current understanding of the alterations in the retinal vascular network in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) is limited. We aim to assess the peripapillary and parafoveal vessel density in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD patients by optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography.

Methods: A total of 55 aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD patients with or without a history of optic neuritis (ON) and 33 healthy controls underwent spectral domain OCT and OCT angiography.

Cerebral cortical encephalitis followed by recurrent CNS demyelination in a patient with concomitant anti-MOG and anti-NMDA receptor antibodies.

We report the case of a patient who initially presented with fever, headache and seizure. MRI revealed a fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) high-intensity lesion involving the right temporal, parietal and occipital cortex. Afterwards, the patient developed three recurrent episodes, manifested as brainstem encephalitis, optic neuritis and ADEM-like illness successively, indicating demyelination.

Neuroprotective effect of neuroserpin in non-tPA-induced intracerebral hemorrhage mouse models.

Background: The neuroprotective effects of neuroserpin (NSP) have been well documented in both patients and animal models with cerebral ischemia; however, have never been investigated in hemorrhagic stroke. The aim of this study is to verify the neuroprotection of NSP in the non-tPA-induced intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) mouse model.

Methods: C57BL/6J male mice (n = 198) were involved in this study.

MOG-antibody associated demyelinating disease of the CNS: A clinical and pathological study in Chinese Han patients.

We aim to evaluate the clinical relevance of MOG-ab in a cohort of Chinese Han adults with CNS inflammatory demyelinating diseases (IDDs). MOG-ab and AQP4-ab were examined through a fixed cell based indirect immune-fluorescence assay in 86 patients with CNS-IDDs. MOG-ab was positive in 12 patients, while AQP4-ab was positive in 31 patients; none double positives.

The clinical characteristics of AQP4 antibody positive NMO/SD in a large cohort of Chinese Han patients.

We aim to summarize the clinical features of AQP4-ab-positive NMO/SD in a large Chinese Han cohort. The clinical data of 145 AQP4-ab-seropositive patients was retrospectively reviewed. 55.