MxA mRNA decrease preceding NAb detection in IFNβ-treated MS patients.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with interferon beta (IFNβ) are at risk of a declining response to treatment because of the production of IFNβ-neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). The expression of Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) mRNA is regarded as a marker of IFNβ bioactivity.

Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the kinetics of MxA mRNA expression during long-term IFNβ treatment and assess its relationship to NAb production.

Myxovirus Resistance Protein A mRNA Expression Kinetics in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with IFNβ.

Introduction: Interferon-β (IFNß) is the first-line treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA) is a marker of IFNß bioactivity, which may be reduced by neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against IFNß. The aim of the study was to analyze the kinetics of MxA mRNA expression during long-term IFNβ treatment and assess its predictive value.

Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Results of Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive untreatable neurodegenerative disorder, leading to the death of the cortical and spinal motoneurons (MNs). Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BM-MSCs) may represent a new approach to slowing down the progression of ALS by providing neurotrophic support to host MNs and by having an anti-inflammatory effect. We have designed a prospective, nonrandomized, open-label clinical trial (phase I/IIa, EudraCT No.

Age- and sex-related characteristics of tonic GABA currents in the rat substantia nigra pars reticulata.

Previous studies have shown that the pharmacologic effects of GABAergic drugs and the postsynaptic phasic GABAAergic inhibitory responses in the anterior part of the rat substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNRA) are age- and sex-specific. Here, we investigate whether there are age- and sex-related differences in the expression of the δ GABAA receptor (GABAAR) subunit and GABAAR mediated tonic currents. We have used δ-specific immunochemistry and whole cell patch clamp to study GABAAR mediated tonic currents in the SNRA of male and female postnatal day (PN) PN5-9, PN11-16, and PN25-32 rats.

[Meningoencephalitis caused by Toscana virus in Czech travelers returning from the Mediterranean].

Presented are case studies of 3 patients with aseptic meninogencephalitis occurring after returning from the Mediterranean tourist regions. None of the infectious agents common in aseptic neuroinfections in the Czech Republic was detected in the patients. Serological tests showed that in each case, the illness was caused by Toscana virus, a phlebovirus belonging to the family Bunyaviridae.