Telomere length as a biomarker in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shortens with age and may be related to multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: We hypothesize that chronologically young people with MS (pwMS) with short LTL behave similarly to older MS subjects.

Methods: Prospective 2-year study including two cohorts of young (18-35 years) and elderly (⩾50 years) pwMS with similar disease duration.

Comparative Analysis of the Structural Weights of Fixed Prostheses of Zirconium Dioxide, Metal Ceramic, PMMA and 3DPP Printing Resin-Mechanical Implications.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to determine the mechanical implications of four-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) made of (1) monolithic zirconium dioxide (ZR O), (2) polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), (3) metal ceramic (PFM) and (4) impression resin (3DPP).

Methods: Four groups were studied with eight samples for each material (n: 32). Each structure was weighed, subjected to compressive tests and analyzed using 3D FEA.

Assessing robustness and generalization of a deep neural network for brain MS lesion segmentation on real-world data.

Objectives: Evaluate the performance of a deep learning (DL)-based model for multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion segmentation and compare it to other DL and non-DL algorithms.

Methods: This ambispective, multicenter study assessed the performance of a DL-based model for MS lesion segmentation and compared it to alternative DL- and non-DL-based methods. Models were tested on internal (n = 20) and external (n = 18) datasets from Latin America, and on an external dataset from Europe (n = 49).

Latin American consensus recommendations on the risk of infections in people with multiple sclerosis treated with disease modifying drugs.

Introduction: The emergence of several therapeutic options in multiple sclerosis (MS), which significantly modify the immune system functioning, has led to the need for the consideration of additional factors, such as risk of infections, in the decision-making process. The aim of these consensus recommendations was to discuss and perform a practical guide to Latin American neurologists on the risk of infections at diagnosis, follow-up and prior to initiation of DMDs.

Methods: A panel of Latin American neurologists, experts in demyelinating diseases and dedicated to management and care of MS patients, gathered during 2021 and 2022 to make consensus recommendations on the risk of infections in PwMS treated with DMDs in Latin America.

European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and European Academy of Neurology consensus on vaccination in people with multiple sclerosis: Improving immunization strategies in the era of highly active immunotherapeutic drugs.

Background And Purpose: With the new highly active drugs available for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), vaccination becomes an essential part of the risk management strategy. We aimed to develop a European evidence-based consensus for the vaccination strategy of pwMS who are candidates for disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).

Methods: This work was conducted by a multidisciplinary working group using formal consensus methodology.

ECTRIMS/EAN consensus on vaccination in people with multiple sclerosis: Improving immunization strategies in the era of highly active immunotherapeutic drugs.

Background: With the new highly active drugs available for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), vaccination becomes an essential part of the risk management strategy.

Objective: To develop a European evidence-based consensus for the vaccination strategy of pwMS who are candidates for disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).

Methods: This work was conducted by a multidisciplinary working group using formal consensus methodology.

[Impact of the Interdisciplinary Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Programme in patients with and without sleep disorders].

Introduction: Sleep disorders and chronic pain are linked to each other bidirectionally. Both are related to affective disorders, fatigue, depression, anxiety and drug abuse, and have a significant effect on quality of life. The Interdisciplinary Pain Programme (IDP) aims to relieve the patients' pain and improve their functionality by incorporating healthy postural, sleep and nutritional habits, relaxation techniques, physical exercise and cognitive-behavioural mechanisms.

Experimental Analysis of the Relationship between Textile Structure, Tensile Strength and Comfort in 3D Printed Structured Fabrics.

In this article, an experimental investigation was conducted to study the effects of 3D printed structured fabrics on the tensile strength of two additive manufacturing technologies: (i) fused deposition modeling (FDM); and (ii) stereolithography (SLA). Three types of structured fabrics were designed in a linked fabric structure, which resembled the main characteristics of a conventional textile. Through computer-aided design (CAD), the textile structures were sketched, which, in a STL format, were transferred to 3D printing software, and consequently, they were printed.

Complete Genome Sequences of Genamy16 and NovaSharks, Two Gordonia rubripertincta Bacteriophages Isolated from Soil in Southeastern Florida.

We report on two actinobacteriophages, Genamy16 and NovaSharks, that were isolated from soil in Florida using Gordonia rubripertincta NRRL B-16540. The genomes of both phages are ~65,000 bp, with similar GC contents, and, based on gene content similarity to phages in the Actinobacteriophage Database, were assigned to phage cluster DV.

Alteration of Fatty Acid Profile in Fragile X Syndrome.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the most prevalent monogenic cause of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Despite a common genetic etiology, the affected individuals display heterogenous metabolic abnormalities including hypocholesterolemia. Although changes in the metabolism of fatty acids (FAs) have been reported in various neuropsychiatric disorders, it has not been explored in humans with FXS.

Towards imaging criteria that best differentiate MS from NMOSD and MOGAD: Large multi-ethnic population and different clinical scenarios.

Background: The "1/3″ brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria including 1) a lesion adjacent to the lateral ventricle and in the inferior temporal lobe, or 2) a juxtacortical lesion, or 3) a Dawson finger-type lesion were shown to distinguish multiple sclerosis (MS) from antibody-mediated conditions. In this large multicentre study, we aimed to assess how the criteria perform 1) in different onset phenotypes, 2) distinct ethnic groups, 3) when the absence of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-Ab)-associated disease (MOGAD)-typical fluffy infratentorial (FIT) lesions and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) lesions are added as features ("2/4″ and 3/5″ criteria, respectively).

Methods: 577 patients with MS (n = 332), aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) (n = 196) and MOGAD (n = 49) were recruited from 6 international centres (Buenos Aires, Sao Paolo, Maracaibo, Goyang, Oxford and Milan).

The risk of infections for multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder disease-modifying treatments: Eighth European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis Focused Workshop Review. April 2021.

Over the recent years, the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has evolved very rapidly and a large number of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) are now available. However, most DMTs are associated with adverse events, the most frequent of which being infections. Consideration of all DMT-associated risks facilitates development of risk mitigation strategies.

The frequency and characteristics of multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis in Latin America: A referral center study in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Objective: Most contemporary data concerning the frequency and causes of multiple sclerosis (MS) misdiagnosis are from North America and Europe with different healthcare system structure and resources than countries in Latin America. We sought to determine the frequency, and potential contributors to MS misdiagnosis in patients evaluated at an MS referral center in Argentina.

Methods: The study was a retrospective medical record review.

Theory of mind, emotion recognition and emotional reactivity factors in early multiple sclerosis: Results from a South American cohort.

Objectives: To study different components of social cognition and quality of life in patients with early multiple sclerosis and low Expanded Disability Status Scale and to test the influence of cognitive performance, fatigue and neuropsychiatric symptoms on social cognition performance.

Methods: Thirty-four patients with relapsing-remitting MS, with ≤2 years of disease duration and scores ≤2 on the EDSS and 30 healthy controls underwent neuropsychological assessment with the Brief Repeatable Neuropsychological Test Battery. Components of social cognition, such as emotion recognition, theory of mind, empathy, and emotional reactivity, were assessed with the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test, the Faux Pas task, the International Affective Imagery System, and the Empathy Quotient.

The Immune Response in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). MS is characterized by immune dysregulation, which results in the infiltration of the CNS by immune cells, triggering demyelination, axonal damage, and neurodegeneration. Although the exact causes of MS are not fully understood, genetic and environmental factors are thought to control MS onset and progression.

Obesity and the risk of Multiple Sclerosis. The role of Leptin.

Objective: To investigate the effects of leptin on different T-cell populations, in order to gain more insight into the link between leptin and obesity.

Methods: Three hundred and nine RRMS patients and 322 controls participated in a cross-sectional survey, to confirm whether excess weight/obesity in adolescence or early adulthood increased the risk of MS. Serum leptin levels were determined by ELISA.

COVID-19 pneumonia accurately detected on chest radiographs with artificial intelligence.

Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic performance of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system for detection of COVID-19 in chest radiographs (CXR), and compare results to those of physicians working alone, or with AI support.

Materials And Methods: An AI system was fine-tuned to discriminate confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia, from other viral and bacterial pneumonia and non-pneumonia patients and used to review 302 CXR images from adult patients retrospectively sourced from nine different databases. Fifty-four physicians blind to diagnosis, were invited to interpret images under identical conditions in a test set, and randomly assigned either to receive or not receive support from the AI system.

Brain volumes quantification from MRI in healthy controls: Assessing correlation, agreement and robustness of a convolutional neural network-based software against FreeSurfer, CAT12 and FSL.

Background And Purpose: There are instances in which an estimate of the brain volume should be obtained from MRI in clinical practice. Our objective is to calculate cross-sectional robustness of a convolutional neural network (CNN) based software (Entelai Pic) for brain volume estimation and compare it to traditional software such as FreeSurfer, CAT12 and FSL in healthy controls (HC).

Materials And Methods: Sixteen HC were scanned four times, two different days on two different MRI scanners (1.

Intravenous Chlorpromazine as Potentially Useful Treatment for Chronic Headache Disorders.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe a group of patients with chronic headache disorders (CH) and medication overuse headache (MOH) treated with intravenous chlorpromazine (IVC). We hypothesized that IVC is an effective and safe addition to well-known treatment strategies for CH and MOH management.

Introduction: Up to 4% of the general population could experience CH.

Disease activity impacts disability progression in primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Background: Although solid information on the natural history of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) is available, evidence regarding impact of disease activity on PPMS progression remains controversial.

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics, presence or absence of MRI activity, and natural history of a PPMS cohort from two referral centers in Argentina and assess whether clinical and/or radiological disease activity correlated with disability worsening.

Methods: Retrospective study conducted at two MS clinics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, through comparative analysis of patients with and without evidence of disease activity.

Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cell Features and TCR Repertoire Characteristics During the Course of Multiple Sclerosis.

To investigate the frequency, phenotype, function, and longitudinal repertoire of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) patients. Forty-five RRMS patients in remission, 20 RRMS patients experiencing exacerbations, 15 PPMS patients, and 30 healthy controls (HCs) were included in the study. MAIT cells were identified phenotypically as CD3 TCRγδ Vα7.

Diagnosis of Rapidly Progressive Dementia in a Referral Center in Argentina.

Introduction: Rapidly progressive dementia (RPD) is a broadly defined clinical syndrome. Our aim was to describe clinical and ancillary study findings in patients with RPD and evaluate their diagnostic performance for the identification of nonchronic neurodegenerative rapidly progressive dementia (ncnRPD).

Methods: We reviewed clinical records and ancillary methods of patients evaluated for RPD at our institution in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 2011 to 2017.

Practice guideline update summary: Vaccine-preventable infections and immunization in multiple sclerosis: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.

Objective: To update the 2002 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) guideline regarding immunization and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: The panel performed a systematic review and classified articles using the AAN system. Recommendations were based on evidence, related evidence, principles of care, and inferences according to the AAN 2011 process manual, as amended.