Astroglial networks control visual responses of superior collicular neurons and sensory-motor behavior.

Astroglial networks closely interact with neuronal populations, but their functional contribution to neuronal representation of sensory information remains unexplored. The superior colliculus (SC) integrates multi-sensory information by generating distinct spatial patterns of neuronal functional responses to specific sensory stimulation. Here, we report that astrocytes from the mouse SC form extensive networks in the retinorecipient layer compared to visual cortex.

High-resolution ultrasound of peripheral neuropathies in rheumatological patients: An overview of clinical applications and imaging findings.

Peripheral neuropathies are surprisingly common and can be associated with a number of conditions, including rheumatological diseases. Whether the co-existence of peripheral neuropathies with rheumatological disorders is coincidental or related to a common pathogenic mechanism, these disabling conditions can affect the outcome of rheumatological patients and should be targeted with specific treatment. The clinical presentation of peripheral neuropathy can be multifaceted and difficult to recognize in polysymptomatic patients.

A case series of parainfectious Guillain-Barré syndrome linked to influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated peripheral neuropathy characterized by a typical post-infectious profile. Some post-Zika virus and post-severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2 GBS cases have been reported to occur with very short intervals between the infection and GBS onset. Evaluating 161 GBS patients consecutively admitted to two Italian Regional Hospitals between 2003 and 2019, we found that the only three with an antecedent influenza A (H1N1) virus infection developed GBS within an interval of less than 10 days from the influenza illness.

COVID-19-related and not related Guillain-Barré syndromes share the same management pitfalls during lock down: The experience of Liguria region in Italy.

Recently, during the pandemic infection of the novel SARS-CoV-2, some cases of Guillan-Barré Syndrome (GBS) have been reported. The aim of this work is to report the natural history of patients with GBS, both COVID and not-COVID related, hospitalized in Liguria region, during lock down period, in order to assess clinical features of both groups and possible managements pitfalls due to pandemic emergency. Fifteen GBS patients were admitted to the Hospitals of Liguria, from February 15th to May 3rd 2020, six with SARS-CoV-2 infection and nine without infection.

Outcomes after single-cycle rituximab monotherapy in patients with anti-MAG polyneuropathy: A bi-center experience with an average follow-up of 11 years.

Rituximab is efficacious in myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) polyneuropathy, but the question on timing of retreatments is open. We studied 21 anti-MAG polyneuropathy patients who responded to a first cycle of rituximab, were followed-up for an average of 11.2 years, and were retreated only when relapsing.

Controlled Dimerization of Mn Single-Molecule Magnets.

Controlled dimerization of Mn single-molecule magnets (SMMs) was achieved via a synthetic route involving a competition between bridging and terminal ligands, namely, diols and alcohols. The reaction using a 1:1 ratio of the competing ligands resulted in the isolation of a new family of covalently linked dimers of Mn SMMs. This is the first step toward the controlled growth of SMM oligomeric arrays.

Diagnostics of anti-MAG antibody polyneuropathy.

This document presents the guidelines for anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) antibody testing that have been developed following a consensus process built on questionnaire-based surveys, internet contacts, and discussions at workshops of sponsoring Italian Association of Neuroimmunology (AINI) congresses. The main clinical information on anti-MAG antibody polyneuropathy, indications and limits of anti-MAG antibody testing, instructions for result interpretation, and an agreed laboratory protocol (Appendix) are reported for the communicative community of neurologists and clinical pathologists.

Sphingomyelin as a myelin biomarker in CSF of acquired demyelinating neuropathies.

Fast, accurate and reliable methods to quantify the amount of myelin still lack, both in humans and experimental models. The overall objective of the present study was to demonstrate that sphingomyelin (SM) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients affected by demyelinating neuropathies is a myelin biomarker. We found that SM levels mirror both peripheral myelination during development and small myelin rearrangements in experimental models.

Guillain-Barré syndrome following chickenpox: a case series.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute, immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy, usually triggered by an infectious episode, mostly of viral origin. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a rare cause of GBS, mainly in the case of latent infection reactivation. We report on three adult patients who developed GBS following chickenpox, after a short period of latency.

Keratitis caused by moulds in Santa Lucía Ophthalmology Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Background: Mycotic keratitis by moulds (MKM) is an important cause for corneal blindness and usually carries an unfavorable prognosis.

Aims: This study describes the risk factors and demographic and microbiological features of all MKM cases in Santa Lucía Ophthalmology Hospital during a period of 6 years.

Methods: A prospective study was performed for all MKM cases diagnosed between October 2007 and September 2013.

Efficacy of meclofenamate sodium versus placebo in headache and craniofacial pain.

Twenty patients were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of meclofenamate sodium in headache and craniofacial pain. There were four observation periods of 15 days each: Period 1 was a wash-out period. In period 2, subjects were randomly assigned to a 15-day regimen of taking two capsules a day of 100mg meclofenamate sodium (group 1) or placebo (group 2).

Immunologic cell markers of peripheral blood and lymph node lymphocytes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The immunologic phenotype of the lymphocytes of 100 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) was investigated. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were examined in all cases; in 46 patients with lymphadenopathy, a lymph node was biopsied and the histologic and immunologic patterns were assessed: 24 had a lymphocytic-lymphoplasmocytoid histology and 22 the follicular variant of lymphocytic lymphoma (mantle zone lymphoma, MZL). For comparison, lymph node suspensions from 19 patients with non-leukemic centrocytic lymphoma (CCL) were also studied.