Characterization of children with early onset pediatric multiple sclerosis.

Background: Early onset pediatric multiple sclerosis (EOPMS) provides an early window of opportunity to understand the mechanisms leading to MS.

Objective: To investigate clinical, laboratory and imaging differences between children with early onset pediatric MS (<11 years, EOPMS) and late onset pediatric MS (≥11 years, LOPMS).

Methods: Mostly prospectively collected data of children with MS including clinical presentation, MRI at onset, time to second relapse, relapse rate, treatment history, and CSF markers were eligible.

Distinguishing Transient From Persistent Brain Structural Changes in Pediatric Patients With Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis.

Background And Objectives: Pediatric patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) are at risk of impaired brain growth, with long-term neuropsychiatric consequences. We previously reported transient expansions of cerebral ventricle volume (VV) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which subsequently normalized. In this study, we investigated changes in VV in ADEM in relation to other brain structures and clinical outcomes.

Children with MOG-IgG positive bilateral optic neuritis misdiagnosed as fulminant idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Background: Fulminant idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterized by headache, rapid decrease of vision and elevated CSF-opening pressure.

Objective: To delineate a subgroup of MOGAD mimicking fulminant IIH.

Methods: In this case series children with MOGAD with vision loss, optic disc swelling and elevated CSF opening pressure, initially diagnosed with fulminant IIH, were included.

CSF-profile and hypocretin levels in children with narcolepsy type 1 and 2.

Background: Narcolepsy is a rare neurological disease caused by dysfunction of hypocretin-producing neurons. Hypocretin concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of less than 110 pg/ml are considered pathological in adults.

Objectives: To compare hypocretin levels of children with narcolepsy type 1, type 2 and disease control groups, in addition to a detailed CSF analysis, clinical and polysomnographic parameters.

Frequency of an intrathecal IgM synthesis and MRZ reaction in children with MS.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the CNS. An intrathecal IgM synthesis is associated with a more rapid progression of MS and the intrathecal immune response to measles -, rubella -and varicella zoster virus (MRZR) which, if present, increases the likelihood of a diagnosis of MS in adults.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of an intrathecal IgM synthesis and MRZR in children with MS.

Autoantibody status, neuroradiological and clinical findings in children with acute cerebellitis.

Background: Acute cerebellitis (AC) in children and adolescents is an inflammatory disease of the cerebellum due to viral or bacterial infections but also autoimmune-mediated processes.

Objective: To investigate the frequency of autoantibodies in serum and CSF as well as the neuroradiological features in children with AC.

Material And Methods: Children presenting with symptoms suggestive of AC defined as acute/subacute onset of cerebellar symptoms and MRI evidence of cerebellar inflammation or additional CSF pleocytosis, positive oligoclonal bands (OCBs), and/or presence of autoantibodies in case of negative cerebellar MRI.

Mechanistic Model with Empirical Pitting Onset Approach for Detailed and Efficient Virtual Analysis of Atmospheric Bimetallic Corrosion.

A mechanistic model of atmospheric bimetallic corrosion with a simplified empirical approach to the onset of localized corrosion attacks is presented. The model was built for a typical bimetallic sample containing aluminum alloy 1050 and stainless steel 316L sheets. A strategy was developed that allowed the model to be calibrated against the measured galvanic current, geometrical corrosion attack properties, and corrosion products.

Humoral signatures of MOG-antibody-associated disease track with age and disease activity.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-antibody (Ab)-associated disease (MOGAD) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. Although MOG is encephalitogenic in different mammalian species, the mechanisms by which human MOG-specific Abs contribute to MOGAD are poorly understood. Here, we use a systems-level approach combined with high-dimensional characterization of Ab-associated immune features to deeply profile humoral immune responses in 123 patients with MOGAD.

More Efficient Complement Activation by Anti-Aquaporin-4 Compared With Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibodies.

Background And Objectives: The objective was to study complement-mediated cytotoxicity induced by immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies (AQP4-IgG) and anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG-IgG) in human serum samples from patients suffering from the rare demyelinating diseases of the CNS neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and MOG-IgG-associated disease (MOGAD).

Methods: A cell-based assay with HEK293A cells expressing different MOG isoforms (MOGαβ) or AQP4-M23 was used. Cells were incubated with human MOG-IgG or AQP4-IgG-positive serum samples together with active or heat-inactivated human complement, and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) was measured with a lactate dehydrogenase assay.

Maximizing Recovery in the Postpartum Period: A Timeline for Rehabilitation from Pregnancy through Return to Sport.

Increased participation and duration in sport has become commonplace for women with their involvement often including the transition to motherhood in the peak of their athletic careers. No rehabilitation models that assess the full spectrum of pregnancy to postpartum have been developed for women to assist in safe exercise progressions that reduce postpartum symptoms and optimize performance during the return to full activity. Referral to physical therapy both in the prenatal and postnatal period is currently not considered standard of care to reduce prevalence of symptoms such as musculoskeletal pain, diastasis recti, and pelvic floor dysfunction which may ultimately interfere with physical activity and performance.

Temporal Dynamics of MOG Antibodies in Children With Acquired Demyelinating Syndrome.

Background And Objective: The spectrum of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disorder (MOGAD) comprises monophasic diseases such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), optic neuritis (ON), and transverse myelitis and relapsing courses of these presentations. Persistently high MOG antibodies (MOG immunoglobulin G [IgG]) are found in patients with a relapsing disease course. Prognostic factors to determine the clinical course of children with a first MOGAD are still lacking.

Characteristic retinal atrophy pattern allows differentiation between pediatric MOGAD and MS after a single optic neuritis episode.

Background: Optic neuritis (ON) is the most prevalent manifestation of pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) and myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) in children > 6 years. In this study, we investigated retinal atrophy patterns and diagnostic accuracy of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in differentiating between both diseases after the first ON episode.

Methods: Patients were retrospectively identified in eight tertial referral centers.

Serum neurofilament light-chain levels in children with monophasic myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-associated disease, multiple sclerosis, and other acquired demyelinating syndrome.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic and prognostic potential of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) in children with first acquired demyelinating syndrome (ADS).

Methods: We selected 129 children with first ADS including 19 children with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-antibody associated disease (MOGAD), 36 MOG/AQP4-seronegative ADS, and 74 with multiple sclerosis (MS) from the BIOMARKER study cohort. All children had a complete set of clinical, radiological, laboratory data and serum for NfL measurement using a highly sensitive digital ELISA (SIMOA).

Cross-sectional analysis of myosteatosis and physical function in pretreatment head and neck cancer patients.

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment are associated with muscle weakness and considerable long-term comorbidity. The goal of this study was to determine whether skeletal muscle density (SMD) as quantified from pretreatment computed tomography (CT) scans will correlate with measures of function and strength prior to treatment in physical function in HNC patients.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 90 HNC patients.

[Practice-relevant autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system in pediatrics: early diagnosis and adequate initiation of treatment].

Background: Pediatric autoimmune diseases affecting the central nervous system have recently come into the the focus of attention. Important advances have been made in the field of children with multiple sclerosis (MS), which led to a better understanding of the clinical characteristics and treatment options. Furthermore, new autoantibodies against target antigens of neurons, peripheral nerves and the myelin sheath have been detected.

Complement Activation Is a Prominent Feature of MOGAD.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-antibody (Ab)-associated diseases (MOGADs) account for a substantial proportion of pediatric and adult patients who present with acquired demyelinating disorders. Its pathogenesis and optimal therapy are incompletely understood. We profiled systemic complement activation in adult and pediatric patients with MOGAD compared with patients with relapse-onset multiple sclerosis, patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, and pediatric control and adult healthy donors.

Amphibian () Tadpoles and Adult Frogs Differ in Their Antiviral Responses to Intestinal Frog Virus 3 Infections.

The global amphibian declines are compounded by ranavirus infections such as Frog Virus 3 (FV3), and amphibian tadpoles more frequently succumb to these pathogens than adult animals. Amphibian gastrointestinal tracts represent a major route of ranavirus entry, and viral pathogenesis often leads to hemorrhaging and necrosis within this tissue. Alas, the differences between tadpole and adult amphibian immune responses to intestinal ranavirus infections remain poorly defined.