IgG Antibody Titers Against , , and in Venezuelan Patients with Asthma or COPD.

It has been suggested that parasitic infections, common in Latin American populations, may amplify the inflammatory response of the airways. There are several reports of atopic and asthmatic patients but few reports of parasitic infection in COPD patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections in COPD patients compared with atopic and asthmatic patients attending the Institute of Immunology outpatient clinics and the pneumology service of the University hospital.

Comparative effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy, modafinil, and their combination for treating fatigue in multiple sclerosis (COMBO-MS): a randomised, statistician-blinded, parallel-arm trial.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms reported by people with multiple sclerosis. Although behavioural and pharmacological interventions might be partly beneficial, their combined effects have not been evaluated for multiple sclerosis fatigue, or examined with sufficient consideration of characteristics that might affect treatment response. In this comparative effectiveness research trial, we compared the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), modafinil, and their combination for treating multiple sclerosis fatigue.

Population-Based Estimates for the Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in the United States by Race, Ethnicity, Age, Sex, and Geographic Region.

Importance: Racial, ethnic, and geographic differences in multiple sclerosis (MS) are important factors to assess when determining the disease burden and allocating health care resources.

Objective: To calculate the US prevalence of MS in Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black (hereafter referred to as Black), and non-Hispanic White individuals (hereafter referred to as White) stratified by age, sex, and region.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A validated algorithm was applied to private, military, and public (Medicaid and Medicare) administrative health claims data sets to identify adult cases of MS between 2008 and 2010.

The Economic Burden of Multiple Sclerosis in the United States: Estimate of Direct and Indirect Costs.

Background And Objectives: A recent report estimated that approximately 1 million adults were living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the United States. Although MS is rarely the direct cause of death, its debilitating effects on normal body functions can result in considerable disruption to daily living and life roles including work, physical independence, mobility, social interaction, and participation in leisure activities. This study estimated the total economic burden of MS in the United States in 2019.

Quality of life and experience with the national multiple sclerosis society strategic plan priorities for people with multiple sclerosis: Findings from a path analysis.

Background: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) strives to ensure that people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) can live their best lives. This mission is reflected in the Society's strategic plan, which establishes the roadmap for the Society's continued commitment to a world free of MS.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to add to the understanding of both the scope and complexity of the impact of MS and MS-related supports on quality of life (QOL).

An Efficient Substrate-Free Method of Producing SiO-Based Nanoparticles for Superhydrophobic Applications.

We report on the preparation of SiO-based nanoparticles readily available for superhydrophobic applications. In contrast to usual approaches, our process is substrate-free and based on electrostatic adsorption of small SiO particles onto large SiO cores with the aid of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) followed by calcination and chemical modification with trichlorododecylsilane. The as-prepared nanoparticles are in powder form and exhibit stable superhydrophobic behavior at room temperature because of the unique combination between the hierarchical raspberry-like structure and low surface energy.

Effect of Structural Features on the Superhydrophobicity of SiO-Based Coatings.

A detailed correlation between topographical features and wettability of chemically modified coatings based on silica nanoparticles (SiO) was performed. In this study, hierarchical structures were prepared by the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique using two different approaches: random roughened surfaces were obtained by exploring stacking defects spontaneously arisen after 15, 30, and 45 assembly cycles of 22 nm SiO, and a particular structure, commonly known as raspberry-like, was obtained by depositing 22 nm SiO over the first deposited 400 nm SiO. As an intrinsic attribute of the assembly process, the average slope of random roughened surfaces seems to be constant and virtually independent of the number of deposited layers.

Benefits of Multiple Sclerosis Adult Day Program Participation for People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis adult day programs (MSADPs) are nonmedical service programs that provide care and support to people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experiencing levels of impairment that interfere with employment and activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to identify how program participants think MSADPs benefit them.

Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with 95 people with MS who were MSADP participants.

Multiple Sclerosis Adult Day Programs and Health-Related Quality of Life of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis and Informal Caregivers.

Background: Multiple sclerosis adult day programs (MSADPs) offer life-enhancing services for individuals and informal caregivers affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), including medical care, rehabilitation therapies, nutrition therapy, cognitive training, tailored education, exercise programs, and social interaction. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of MSADPs on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and health care utilization of persons with MS and HRQOL and well-being of informal caregivers.

Methods: Using a quasi-experimental design, outcomes between baseline and 1-year follow-up in persons with MS and informal caregivers who used MSADP services and a comparison group of similar persons with MS and caregivers who did not use MSADP services were compared.

Achieving effective patient and public involvement in international clinical trials in neurology.

There is a growing need for patient and public involvement (PPI) to inform the way that research is developed and performed. International randomized controlled trials are particularly likely to benefit from PPI, but guidance is lacking on how or when it should be incorporated. In this article, we describe the PPI process that occurred during the design and initiation of an international treatment clinical trial in MS.

Feasibility of Using a Nationally Representative Telephone Survey to Monitor Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence in the United States.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic neurologic disease of young adults, placing a heavy burden on patients, families, and the healthcare system. Ongoing surveillance of the incidence and prevalence of MS is critical for health policy and research, but feasible options are limited in the United States and many other countries. We investigated the feasibility of monitoring the prevalence of MS using a large national telephone survey of the adult US population.

Conducting dietary intervention trials in people with multiple sclerosis: Lessons learned and a path forward.

Disease course in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is heterogeneous. The impact of dietary and nutritional factors on MS prognosis is of interest to both patients and clinicians; differences in diet are hypothesized to contribute to disease evolution over time. However, studying diet, especially in people with MS, introduces methodologic complexity that should be recognized.

Evaluation of multiple sclerosis disability outcome measures using pooled clinical trial data.

Objective: We report analyses of a pooled database by the Multiple Sclerosis Outcome Assessments Consortium to evaluate 4 proposed components of a multidimensional test battery.

Methods: Standardized data on 12,776 participants, comprising demographics, multiple sclerosis disease characteristics, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, performance measures, and Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary (SF-36 PCS), were pooled from control and treatment arms of 14 clinical trials. Analyses of Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), Low Contrast Letter Acuity (LCLA), and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) included measurement properties; construct, convergent, and known group validity; and longitudinal performance of the measures individually and when combined into a multidimensional test battery relative to the EDSS and SF-36 to determine sensitivity and clinical meaningfulness.

Computerized neuropsychological assessment devices in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review.

Background: The proliferation of computerized neuropsychological assessment devices (CNADs) for screening and monitoring cognitive impairment is increasing exponentially. Previous reviews of computerized tests for multiple sclerosis (MS) were primarily qualitative and did not rigorously compare CNADs on psychometric properties.

Objective: We aimed to systematically review the literature on the use of CNADs in MS and identify test batteries and single tests with good evidence for reliability and validity.

Validation of an algorithm for identifying MS cases in administrative health claims datasets.

Objective: To develop a valid algorithm for identifying multiple sclerosis (MS) cases in administrative health claims (AHC) datasets.

Methods: We used 4 AHC datasets from the Veterans Administration (VA), Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC), Manitoba (Canada), and Saskatchewan (Canada). In the VA, KPSC, and Manitoba, we tested the performance of candidate algorithms based on inpatient, outpatient, and disease-modifying therapy (DMT) claims compared to medical records review using sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and interrater reliability (Youden J statistic) both overall and stratified by sex and age.

The prevalence of MS in the United States: A population-based estimate using health claims data.

Objective: To generate a national multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence estimate for the United States by applying a validated algorithm to multiple administrative health claims (AHC) datasets.

Methods: A validated algorithm was applied to private, military, and public AHC datasets to identify adult cases of MS between 2008 and 2010. In each dataset, we determined the 3-year cumulative prevalence overall and stratified by age, sex, and census region.

A new way to estimate neurologic disease prevalence in the United States: Illustrated with MS.

Objective: Considerable gaps exist in knowledge regarding the prevalence of neurologic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), in the United States. Therefore, the MS Prevalence Working Group sought to review and evaluate alternative methods for obtaining a scientifically valid estimate of national MS prevalence in the current health care era.

Methods: We carried out a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis for 3 approaches to estimate MS prevalence: population-based MS registries, national probability health surveys, and analysis of administrative health claims databases.

Symbol Digit Modalities Test: A valid clinical trial endpoint for measuring cognition in multiple sclerosis.

Background: The need for more robust outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical trials has been a main priority of the field for decades. Dissatisfaction with existing measures has led to several consensus meetings and initiatives over the past few decades in hopes of defining and gaining acceptance of measures that are valid, reliable, sensitive to change and progression, and most importantly, relevant to those living with MS. The Multiple Sclerosis Outcome Assessments Consortium (MSOAC) was formed for this purpose.

Recommendations for cognitive screening and management in multiple sclerosis care.

Purpose: To promote understanding of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS), recommend optimal screening, monitoring, and treatment strategies, and address barriers to optimal management.

Methods: The National MS Society ("Society") convened experts in cognitive dysfunction (clinicians, researchers, and lay people with MS) to review the published literature, reach consensus on optimal strategies for screening, monitoring, and treating cognitive changes, and propose strategies to address barriers to optimal care.

Recommendations: Based on current evidence, the Society makes the following recommendations, endorsed by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and the International Multiple Sclerosis Cognition Society: Increased professional and patient awareness/education about the prevalence, impact, and appropriate management of cognitive symptoms.

Dietary approaches to treat MS-related fatigue: comparing the modified Paleolithic (Wahls Elimination) and low saturated fat (Swank) diets on perceived fatigue in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and contributes to diminishing quality of life. Although currently available interventions have had limited success in relieving MS-related fatigue, clinically significant reductions in perceived fatigue severity have been reported in a multimodal intervention pilot study that included a Paleolithic diet in addition to stress reduction, exercise, and electrical muscle stimulation. An optimal dietary approach to reducing MS-related fatigue has not been identified.

Projecting the Adequacy of the Multiple Sclerosis Neurologist Workforce.

Background: Anecdotal reports suggest shortages among neurologists who provide multiple sclerosis (MS) patient care. However, little information is available regarding the current and future supply of and demand for this neurologist workforce.

Methods: We used information from neurologist and neurology resident surveys, professional organizations, and previously reported studies to develop a model assessing the projected supply and demand (ie, expected physician visits) of neurologists providing MS patient care.

The MSOAC approach to developing performance outcomes to measure and monitor multiple sclerosis disability.

Background: The Multiple Sclerosis Outcome Assessments Consortium (MSOAC) was formed by the National MS Society to develop improved measures of multiple sclerosis (MS)-related disability.

Objectives: (1) To assess the current literature and available data on functional performance outcome measures (PerfOs) and (2) to determine suitability of using PerfOs to quantify MS disability in MS clinical trials.

Methods: (1) Identify disability dimensions common in MS; (2) conduct a comprehensive literature review of measures for those dimensions; (3) develop an MS Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC) data standard; (4) create a database of standardized, pooled clinical trial data; (5) analyze the pooled data to assess psychometric properties of candidate measures; and (6) work with regulatory agencies to use the measures as primary or secondary outcomes in MS clinical trials.

Polyethylene cellulose nanofibrils nanocomposites.

This paper investigates the use of an aqueous dispersion of polyethylene copolymer with a relatively high content of acrylic acid as a compatibilizer and as an alternative medium to obtain polyethylene CNF nanocomposites. The CNF content was varied from 1 to 90wt% and the appearance, optical, thermal, mechanical and rheological properties, as well the morphology of the films were evaluated. The PE/CNF films are transparent up to 20wt% of NFC indicating a good dispersion of CNF, but a poor distribution, with PE-rich and CNF-rich regions observed by SEM.

Validity of low-contrast letter acuity as a visual performance outcome measure for multiple sclerosis.

Low-contrast letter acuity (LCLA) has emerged as the leading outcome measure to assess visual disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) research. As visual dysfunction is one of the most common manifestations of MS, sensitive visual outcome measures are important in examining the effect of treatment. Low-contrast acuity captures visual loss not seen in high-contrast visual acuity (HCVA) measurements.