Ultrafast measurement of photoacoustic parameters with mid-infrared frequency comb transients.

The photoacoustic (PA) effect has been widely used in various applications, including highly sensitive spectroscopy and label-free, non-invasive imaging. In this work, we demonstrate a fast and precise measurement of PA parameters for light-absorbing liquids using mid-infrared asynchronous sampling pump-probe measurements. To simulate the observed PA oscillation signals and extract various PA parameters as a function of pump power, we derived analytical solutions of the PA wave equation driven by a train of ultrashort Gaussian pump pulses.

Discontinuation of Immunosuppressive Therapy in Patients With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder With Aquaporin-4 Antibodies.

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of immunosuppressive therapy (IST) discontinuation in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) after a sustained remission period.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 17 patients with antiaquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD who discontinued IST after a relapse-free period of ≥3 years.

Results: IST was discontinued at a median age of 40 years (interquartile range [IQR], 32-51) after a median relapse-free period of 62 months (IQR, 52-73).

Value of Area Postrema Syndrome in Differentiating Adults With AQP4 vs. MOG Antibodies.

To compare the frequency of area postrema syndrome (APS) in adults with anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies. APS is defined as acute or subacute, single or combined, episodic or constant nausea, vomiting, or hiccups, persisting for at least 48 h, which cannot be attributed to any other etiology. The presence of APS was investigated in 274 adults with AQP4 antibodies and 107 adults with MOG antibodies from 10 hospitals.

Validation of the Korean Version of the 12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale and Application to Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.

Background And Purpose: Gait problems are a primary complaint in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12) is a patient-reported measure assessing the impact of MS on the walking ability. We aimed to adapt and validate the Korean version of the MSWS-12 for the Korean population with MS and NMOSD.

Erratum to: High Seroprevalence and Index of Anti-John-Cunningham Virus Antibodies in Korean Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

This corrects the article on p. 454 in vol. 15, PMID: 31591832.

Comparison of Neuropathic Pain in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder and Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: To compare the characteristics of neuropathic pain in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: From 2016 to 2018, 500 patients with NMOSD and MS from 6 referral hospitals in Korea underwent pain investigation. After the patients with current pain were matched for sex ratio and disease duration as confounding factors, PainDETECT questionnaires were assessed in 99 NMOSD and 58 MS patients to investigate neuropathic pain.

High Seroprevalence and Index of Anti-John-Cunningham Virus Antibodies in Korean Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: The anti-John-Cunningham virus (JCV)-antibody serostatus and index are used in the risk stratification of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with natalizumab. However, little information on these parameters is available for Asian countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of seropositivity, index, and longitudinal index evolution in Korean patients with MS.

Therapeutic Outcome of Alemtuzumab in Korean Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: 2-Year Follow-Up.

Background And Purpose: Alemtuzumab has shown high efficacy in clinical trials that primarily involved Western multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. To evaluate the therapeutic outcome of alemtuzumab in Korean patients with MS.

Methods: This study enrolled 23 consecutive patients who were treated with alemtuzumab from 2015 to 2018.

Neutralizing Antibodies Against Interferon-Beta in Korean Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Patients treated with interferon-beta (IFN-β) can develop neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against IFN-β that can negatively affect the therapeutic response. This study assessed the prevalence of NAbs and the impact of NAb positivity on the therapeutic response to IFN-β in Korean patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: This was a multicenter study involving 150 MS patients from 9 Korean medical centers who were treated with IFN-β for at least 6 months.