High-dose vitamin D supplementation in multiple sclerosis - results from the randomized EVIDIMS (efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in multiple sclerosis) trial.

Background: Epidemiological, preclinical, and non-interventional studies link vitamin D (VD) serum levels and disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). It is unclear whether high-dose VD supplementation can be used as an intervention to reduce disease activity.

Objectives: The study aimed to compare the effects of every other day high- (20,400 IU) versus low-dose (400 IU) cholecalciferol supplementation on clinical and imaging markers of disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting MS or clinically isolated syndrome.

Mice deficient in the lysosomal enzyme palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) display a complex retinal phenotype.

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) type 1 (CLN1) is a neurodegenerative storage disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the lysosomal enzyme palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1). CLN1 patients suffer from brain atrophy, mental and motor retardation, seizures, and retinal degeneration ultimately resulting in blindness. Here, we performed an in-depth analysis of the retinal phenotype of a PPT1-deficient mouse, an animal model of this condition.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among blood donors in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany - a region at intermediate risk for gastric cancer.

 In the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, gastric cancer (GC) incidence ranks among the highest in Germany. Helicobacter pylori prevalence is a surrogate marker for GC risk in a given population. In 2010 we reported an H.

The role of diagnosis in patients failing peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilization.

Background: Failure to mobilize PBPCs for auto-logous transplantation has mostly been attributed to previous therapy and poses therapeutic problems.

Study Design And Methods: The role of underlying disease was analyzed in 17 of 73 (23%) patients with PBPC mobilization failure, and secondary mobilization with high-dose filgrastim was attempted.

Results: Of 16 patients with acute leukemia, 13 (81%) mobilized poorly.