Utility of nerve ultrasound in ulnar neuropathy with abnormal non-localizing electrophysiology in diabetes mellitus.

We studied the utility of ultrasound in the diagnostic workup of ulnar neuropathy with abnormal non-localizing electrophysiology (NL-UN) in patients with diabetes. Eighteen ulnar nerves (15 patients) were scanned from wrist to mid-upper arm. Ultrasound showed: (a) focal nerve enlargement at the elbow (8/18 nerves), either alone (6) or superimposed upon diffuse nerve abnormality (2); (b) diffuse nerve enlargement without focal abnormality (8/18); (c) segmental abnormality in upper-arm or forearm without extrinsic nerve compression (2/18).

Does overall reinforcer rate affect discrimination of time-based contingencies?

Overall reinforcer rate appears to affect choice. The mechanism for such an effect is uncertain, but may relate to reinforcer rate changing the discrimination of the relation between stimuli and reinforcers. We assessed whether a quantitative model based on a stimulus-control approach could be used to account for the effects of overall reinforcer rate on choice under changing time-based contingencies.

Long-Term Cost Effectiveness of Interferon-beta-1a in the Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis : An Econometric Model.

Objective: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of subcutaneous interferon-beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a) 44mug three times weekly in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) using an econometric model.

Methods: Data on RRMS patients treated with IFNbeta-1a 22 or 44mug subcutaneously three times weekly or placebo for up to 4 years were obtained from the Prevention of Relapses and disability by Interferon-beta-1a Subcutaneously in Multiple Sclerosis (PRISMS) study. The area under the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score-time curve was used as a measure of disability and the effectiveness of therapy was expressed as EDSS-months of disability prevented.

A comparative audit of anticardiolipin antibodies in oligoclonal band negative and positive multiple sclerosis.

It has been suggested that multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with positive anticardiolipin antibodies (ACLA) have some atypical features, including absent oligoclonal bands (OCB) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Our aim was to compare the frequencies of ACLA and related laboratory and clinical features in OCB negative (OCB-) and positive (OCB+) MS patients. We compared 41 OCB- patients attending a MS Clinic in a tertiary referral center, with 206 OCB+ patients.

The relationship of brain and cervical cord volume to disability in clinical subtypes of multiple sclerosis: a three-dimensional MRI study.

Objectives: Brain and cervical cord volume is a potentially valuable index marker of irreversible pathological processes in multiple sclerosis (MS). Volume in both brain and cervical cord regions in the same patients has only been investigated in a small number of subjects. We aimed at measuring volume in different parts of the central nervous system, and its relationship with clinical measures, in relapsing-remitting (RR) and secondary progressive (SP) MS patients.