Cholecalciferol Supplementation Induced Up-Regulation of Gene and Down-Regulated miR-155-5p Expression in Slovenian Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a common immune-mediated inflammatory and demyelinating disease. Lower cholecalciferol levels are an established environmental risk factor in multiple sclerosis. Although cholecalciferol supplementation in multiple sclerosis is widely accepted, optimal serum levels are still debated.

Subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. Inflammation may create high susceptibility to subclinical atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to compare subclinical atherosclerosis and the role of inflammatory cytokines between the group of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and healthy controls matched for age and sex.

Factors influencing daily treatment choices in multiple sclerosis: practice guidelines, biomarkers and burden of disease.

At two meetings of a Central European board of multiple sclerosis (MS) experts in 2018 and 2019 factors influencing daily treatment choices in MS, especially practice guidelines, biomarkers and burden of disease, were discussed. The heterogeneity of MS and the complexity of the available treatment options call for informed treatment choices. However, evidence from clinical trials is generally lacking, particularly regarding sequencing, switches and escalation of drugs.

Impact of sense of coherence on quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Aim: Aiming at finding an effective way of empowering patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) to cope with their disease, the objective of the study was to explore the impact of sense of coherence (SOC) on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: A total of 134/150 eligible MS patients followed-up at the Department of Neurology of the University Medical Centre Maribor, Slovenia, completed a multiple sclerosis quality of life 54 questionnaire (MSQoL-54) for assessment of HRQoL, and SOC-13-item questionnaire for assessment of SOC in 2013. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the association between the SOC score and mental and physical subscores of MSQoL-54 adjusted to disease-related and sociodemographic characteristics as potential confounders.

Intracranial Vertebrobasilar Calcification in Patients with Ischemic Stroke is a Predictor of Recurrent Stroke, Vascular Disease, and Death: A Case-Control Study.

Intracranial artery calcification can be detected on nonenhanced brain computer tomography (NECT) and is a predictor of early vascular events. Here, we assessed the impact of vertebrobasilar artery calcification (VBC) on the long-term risk for recurrent stroke and vascular events. We performed a case-control trial of all consecutive stroke patients admitted to the University Hospital of Maribor, Slovenia over a period of 14 months.

Anemia on admission and long-term mortality risk in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Anemia is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure. Additionally, it has been shown that anemia increases the short-term mortality risk in patients with acute stroke.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to determine the importance of anemia as a long-term mortality risk factor by itself or in combination with other risk factors.

Management of multiple sclerosis patients in central European countries: current needs and potential solutions.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) experts in Europe are facing rapidly rising demands of excellence due to the increasing complexity of MS therapy and management. A central European expert board of MS experts met to identify needs and obstacles with respect to raising quality of MS care in central and Eastern European countries. There are substantial variations across countries regarding delivery of care and its cost structure, as well as access to treatment.

Newer glomerular filtration rate estimating equations for the full age spectrum based on serum creatinine and cystatin C in predicting mortality in patients with ischemic stroke.

Background: Renal dysfunction is associated with increased risk of mortality. The novel Full Age Spectrum (FAS) equations estimating the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) based on serum creatinine (FAScrea) and cystatin C (FAScysC) are validated across the entire age spectrum and are superior markers of renal function compared to other equations. Possible association of these equations with mortality in patients with ischemic stroke is not known.

Validation of The Slovenian Version of Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQOL-54) Instrument.

Purpose: To cross-culturally adapt and validate Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) instrument.

Methods: The study which enrolled 134 Slovenian multiple sclerosis (MS) patients was conducted from March to December 2013. The internal consistency of the MSQOL-54 instrument was evaluated by Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α), and its dimensionality assessed by the principal component analysis (PCA).

Clinical role of von Willebrand factor in acute ischemic stroke.

Background: An elevated level of von Willebrand factor (VWF) is associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke. The objective of the study was to determine whether the level of VWF is associated with the cardioembolic subtype of ischemic stroke, stroke severity, and clinical outcome.

Patients And Methods: In this study 108 patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke (AIS) were included.

Single fiber EMG as a prognostic tool in myasthenia gravis.

Introduction: Single fiber electromyography (SFEMG) is the most sensitive diagnostic tool for diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG). Its prognostic value is not known.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical course of 232 MG patients who presented with only mild symptoms and had SFEMG of the orbicularis oculi muscle.

Ischemic stroke: the impact of renal dysfunction on 1-year mortality.

Background: Atherosclerosis is accelerated in patients with different stages of chronic renal failure. Renal dysfunction predicts mortality in patients with myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure. Less is known about the impact of renal dysfunction on mortality after ischemic stroke.

Stroke and renal dysfunction.

Stroke is the most frequent neurological disease and represents a continuously evolving medical and social problem. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is also an important worldwide public health problem. Renal dysfunction carries a substantial risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and an independent, graded association between renal function and cardiovascular events was found.

Cystatin C, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration, and long-term mortality in stroke patients.

Renal dysfunction is associated with mortality in patients after ischemic stroke. Cystatin C is a potentially superior marker of renal function compared to creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In our observational cohort study, 390 Caucasian patients suffered from acute ischemic stroke (mean age 70.

Calcifications of vertebrobasilar arteries on CT: detailed distribution and relation to risk factors in 245 ischemic stroke patients.

Introduction: Intracranial atherosclerosis is responsible for a substantial proportion of strokes worldwide but its detailed morphology in the vertebrobasilar arteries (VBA) is unknown.

Subject And Methods: Cases with ischemic strokes were retrospectively sought from the hospital database. Native CT scans were assessed for vessel area and intracranial artery calcifications (ICACs) in VBA.

A prospective study about impact of renal dysfunction and morbidity and mortality on cardiovascular events after ischemic stroke.

Background: The aim of our prospective study was to define the impact of renal dysfunction on future cardiovascular events and total mortality in 390 patients suffering from ischemic stroke.

Methods: A quantitative measurement of neurologic deficit according to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was performed. Blood parameters were measured.

How does fingolimod (gilenya(®)) fit in the treatment algorithm for highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder characterized by inflammatory demyelination and neurodegeneration in the central nervous system. Until recently, disease-modifying treatment was based on agents requiring parenteral delivery, thus limiting long-term compliance. Basic treatments such as beta-interferon provide only moderate efficacy, and although therapies for second-line treatment and highly active MS are more effective, they are associated with potentially severe side effects.

Fingolimod in the treatment algorithm of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: a statement of the Central and East European (CEE) MS Expert Group.

Fingolimod is the first oral treatment of multiple sclerosis. It is the first-in-class sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator that binds to sphingosine 1-phophate receptors on lymphocytes and via downregulation of the receptor prevents lymphocyte egress from lymphoid tissues into the circulation. This mechanism reduces the infiltration of potentially auto-aggressive lymphocytes into the central nervous system.

Atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients: traditional and nontraditional risk factors.

Aim: To determine the significance of the relationship between some traditional risk factors (age, arterial hypertension, smoking, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides) and some nontraditional risk factors (lipoprotein[a], apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, homocysteine, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone) and asymptomatic atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: Ninety-one hemodialysis patients were included in the study. Using B-mode ultrasonography, we measured intima-media thickness and plaque occurrence in the carotid arteries in these patients.

Polyneuropathy in hemodialysis patients: the most sensitive electrophysiological parameters and dialysis adequacy.

Background: Polyneuropathy (PNP) is a common complication in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Electrophysiological parameters are quantitative indices of its severity. The aim of our study was to find the prevalence of pathologic electrophysiological parameters, to assess their prevalence in relation to duration of HD treatment and age, to establish which parameters are the most sensitive in demonstrating PNP and to find an association between them and HD adequacy.

Predictive value of carotid intima media thickness in hemodialysis patients.

Atherosclerosis is accelerated in hemodialysis patients. Intima media thickness (IMT) is a strong predictor for cardiovascular events in the general population. Using B-mode ultrasonography, IMT in the common carotid arteries was measured in 99 nondiabetic hemodialysis patients (44 women and 55 men, mean age 53.

Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in hemodialysis patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic atherosclerosis.

Background: Cardiovascular mortality is higher in hemodialysis (HD) patients than in the general population. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is established as a sensitive marker of myocardial injury in the general population. Less is known about the association between cTnT and intima-media thickness (IMT) and presence of plaques in carotid arteries (asymptomatic atherosclerosis) and prognostic value of cTnT for cardiovascular mortality (symptomatic atherosclerosis) in HD patients.

Atherosclerosis in patients with end-stage renal failure prior to initiation of hemodialysis.

Background: In dialysis patients cardiovascular mortality is 10 to 20 times higher than in general population. It remains uncertain whether atherosclerosis of dialysis patients is effectively accelerated because many of dialysis patients have more or less marked vascular lesions already at the start of dialysis treatment. SUBJECTS AND METHODS.