Short-chain fatty acids in multiple sclerosis: Associated with disability, number of T2 lesions, and inflammatory profile.

Objective: An alteration in the composition of the intestinal microbiota has been observed in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) with respect to healthy controls (HC). Microorganism-derived metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) have been suggested to play a role in the disease. Thus, to analyze the association of SCFA with clinical and radiological parameters of the disease and with those related to the inflammatory response of the immune system.

Chronic Systemic SARS-CoV-2 Infection Without Respiratory Involvement in an Immunocompromised Patient.

In a patient on immunosuppressant treatment, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was documented in different extra-respiratory samples over several months in the absence of positive determinations in upper respiratory samples. Whole-genome sequencing of these samples showed the acquisition of different single-nucleotide polymorphisms over time, suggesting viral evolution and thus viral viability.

Attitudes of Neurologists Toward Serum Neurofilament Light-Chain Testing in the Management of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis with Cognitive Impairment.

Cognitive impairment has an impact upon the function and quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). High-serum neurofilament light-chain (sNfL) levels predict disease progression and are also associated with impaired cognitive performance. This study aimed to assess the attitudes of neurologists toward sNfL testing as regards making therapeutic decisions in clinically and radiologically stable patients experiencing cognitive decline.

Population structure and ongoing microevolution of the emerging multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium ST213.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ST213 is an emergent multidrug-resistant sequence type associated with the food chain, and gastrointestinal and invasive infections in North America. Here, we applied genomic and phenotypic analyses to illustrate the diversity and evolution of sequence type ST213. The population structure and evolutionary history of ST213 strains, particularly the North American isolates (NA-ST213) distinguish them from other S.

Corrigendum: Biomarkers of response to ocrelizumab in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.

Etiological and clinical characterization of longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions: A 12-year tertiary center experience.

Introduction: Longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions (LESCL) are characterized by T2-hyperintense signals spanning at least three vertebral body segments, with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) being a significant cause. This study aimed to characterize the clinical, radiological, serological, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) features of LESCL and to compare NMOSD and non-NMOSD cases.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of adult patients diagnosed with LESCL at our center over a twelve-year period collecting data on demographics, clinical presentations, MRI findings, CSF analysis, and serological testing for AQP4-IgG and MOG-IgG antibodies.

A Clinical Care Algorithm for Detecting Progression in Multiple Sclerosis: RetratEMos Project.

Objective: The diagnosis of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) is often established retrospectively leading to a delay in detection. This work presents a clinical care algorithm that aims to facilitate the recognition of the secondary progressive phase of the disease, analyzing its usefulness and the feasibility of its implementation in routine clinical practice.

Methods: The algorithm was developed in four phases: 1) choice of validated diagnostic tools for the detection of progression; 2) assessment of these tools based on experience of use, applicability, time consumed, perceived usefulness and suitability for a profile of a patient in transition to SPMS; 3) framework and final sequence of application; 4) feasibility evaluation through application in clinical practice.

Biomarkers of response to ocrelizumab in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To ascertain the changes of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) values in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated with ocrelizumab and their association with treatment response.

Methods: Multicenter prospective study including 115 RRMS patients initiating ocrelizumab treatment between February 2020 and March 2022 followed during a year. Serum samples were collected at baseline and every 3 months to measure sNfL and sGFAP levels using single-molecule array (SIMOA) technology.

Real-World Experience with Diroximel Fumarate in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Background: Current literature and a real-world study suggest that diroximel fumarate (DRF) is safer than dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, no real-world study to date has significantly addressed the efficacy of this treatment.

Objectives: This study aims to elucidate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of DRF in a real-world setting, utilizing data from a Spanish national registry of patients commencing DRF therapy post-market introduction.

Radiated power and soft x-ray diagnostics in the SMART tokamak.

A multi-energy soft x-ray diagnostic is planned to operate in the small aspect ratio tokamak (SMART), consisting of five cameras: one for core measurements, two for edge, and two for divertors. Each camera is equipped with four absolute extreme ultra-violet diodes, with three of them filtered by Ti and Al foils for C and O line emissions, respectively, and Be foils for temperature measurements. In addition, two spectrometers will be installed with a vertical line of sight for impurity control.

Does serum neurofilament light chain measurement influence therapeutic decisions in multiple sclerosis?

Background: The assessment of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) concentration in multiple sclerosis (MS) is a useful tool for predicting clinical outcomes and assessing treatment response. However, its use in clinical practice is still limited. We aimed to assess how measurement of sNfL influences neurologists' treatment decisions in MS.

Investigating the 2023 MOGAD Criteria in Children and Adults With MOG-Antibody Positivity Within and Outside Attacks.

Background And Objectives: The 2023 criteria for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) perform well in adults but have not been assessed in children.

Methods: This prospective observational nationwide study includes children and adults with demyelinating syndromes or encephalitis, whose serum or CSF was found MOG-immunoglobulin G (IgG) positive at Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer-Hospital Clínic of Barcelona (Spain). Exclusion criteria were lack of clinical information and follow-up <1 year, and serum unavailable for antibody testing.

Establishing Normal Serum Values of Neurofilament Light Chains and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Considering the Effects of Age and Other Demographic Factors in Healthy Adults.

Multiple studies have shown the importance of blood-based biomarkers indicating axonal damage (serum neurofilament light chains [sNfL]) or astroglia activation (serum glial fibrillary acidic protein [sGFAP]) for monitoring different neurological diseases. However, normal values of these variables remain to be clearly defined, partly due to the influence of different demographic factors. We investigated demographic differences in a cohort of healthy volunteers.

Simulation of a scintillator-based fast ion loss detector for steady-state operation in Wendelstein 7-X (invited).

A quantitative theoretical framework has been created to model neutral beam injection and fast ion losses in the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator, including a novel method to develop synthetic diagnostics for fast ion loss detectors (FILDs) of many types, such as scintillating and Faraday Cup FILDs. This is the first time that this has been done in stellarator geometry with this level of fidelity, providing a way for fast ion losses to be predicted more precisely in future stellarator experiments and in W7-X. Simulations of the signal seen by a Faraday Cup FILD have been completed for multiple W7-X plasmas and show close agreement with the measured signals.

Rheumatoid meningitis: a case series report and review of modern therapeutic schemes and outcome.

Introduction: Rheumatoid meningitis (RM) is an extremely rare extra-articular complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with approximately 165 cases reported world-wide. RM exhibits a broad range of symptoms, with stroke-like episodes and seizures being the most common manifestations. The primary differential diagnoses include vascular and infectious diseases.

[XVI Post-ECTRIMS Meeting: review of the new developments presented at the 2023 ECTRIMS Congress (II)].

The XVI Post-ECTRIMS meeting was held in Seville on 20 and 21 October 2023, where expert neurologists in multiple sclerosis (MS) summarised the main new developments presented at the ECTRIMS 2023 congress, which took place in Milan from 11 to 13 October. The aim of this article is to summarise the content presented at the Post-ECTRIMS Meeting, in an article in two parts. This second part covers the health of women and elderly MS patients, new trends in the treatment of cognitive impairment, focusing particularly on meditation, neuroeducation and cognitive rehabilitation, and introduces the concept of fatigability, which has been used to a limited extent in MS.

[XVI Post-ECTRIMS Meeting: review of the new developments presented at the 2023 ECTRIMS Congress (I)].

The XVI Post-ECTRIMS meeting took place in Seville on 20 and 21 October 2023. This meeting was attended by neurologists specialising in multiple sclerosis (MS) from Spain, who shared a summary of the most interesting innovations at the ECTRIMS congress, which had taken place in Milan the previous week. The aim of this article is to summarise new developments related to the pathogenesis, diagnosis and prognosis of MS.

Spasticity-Plus syndrome in multiple sclerosis patients in a tertiary hospital in Spain.

Introduction: Spasticity is a common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS) and it is often associated with other symptoms such as spasms/cramps and pain. The concept of Spasticity-Plus syndrome takes into account that spasticity is accompanied by one or more symptoms (spasms/cramps, pain, bladder dysfunction, sleep disorders, fatigue and/or tremor). As these symptoms share a common cannabinoid control, therapy acting on cannabinoid receptors may be useful.

Emerging biomarkers for improving pregnancy planning in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Patient disability, relapse rate, and age are used for family planning in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the need for more accurate biomarkers is widely recognized. We aimed to explore the influence of age on neurofilament light chain (sNfL), which reflects acute inflammation; glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), associated with disability progression independent of relapses; and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), reflecting ovarian reserve, to provide a tailored family planning strategy.

Real-World Retrospective Analysis of Alemtuzumab Outcomes in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: The LEMCAM Study.

Background: Alemtuzumab is a high-efficacy treatment approved for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Although clinical trials and observational studies are consistent in showing its efficacy and manageable safety profile, further studies under clinical practice conditions are needed to further support its clinical use.

Objective: The aim of this observational retrospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of alemtuzumab to add to the current real-world evidence on the drug.

A Customized System to Test Pelvic Floor Muscles Contraction: A Proof of Concept.

Studies show that there is a high prevalence of pelvic floor dysfunctions which negatively affect the quality of life of people who suffer from them. The few sensory mechanisms that pelvic floor muscles have to inform the brain of their situation can make it difficult to perform voluntary contractions or identify risk factors. Currently, there is no consensus to improve this proprioception.

Multisensory System for Long-Term Activity Monitoring to Facilitate Aging-in-Place.

Demographic changes and an ageing population require more effective methods to confront the increased prevalence of chronic diseases which generate dependence in older adults as well as an important rise in social expenditure. The challenge is not only to increase life expectancy, but also to ensure that the older adults can fully enjoy that moment in their lives, living where they wish to (private home, nursing home, …). Physical activity (PA) is a representative parameter of a person's state of health, especially when we are getting older, because it plays an important role in the prevention of diseases, and that is the reason why it is promoted in older adults.

Teriflunomide and Epstein-Barr virus in a Spanish multiple sclerosis cohort: antiviral activity and clinical response.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) have been associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Teriflunomide is an oral disease-modifying therapy approved for treatment of relapsing forms of MS. In the preclinical Theiler's murine encephalitis virus model of MS, the drug demonstrated an increased rate of viral clearance versus the vehicle placebo.