Psychometric measurement properties and reference values of the six-spot step test, the six-minute walk test, the 25-foot walk test, and the 12-item multiple sclerosis walking scale in people with multiple sclerosis.

Unlabelled: This review investigated the psychometric properties of the most commonly used short-, long-, complex- and patient-reported walking outcome measures in multiple sclerosis(MS): the timed-25-foot walk test (T25FW), the six-minute walk test (6MWT), the six-spot step-test (SSST), and the 12-item MS walking scale (MSWS-12), along with reported reference data of these tests.

Methods: Based on PubMed and Embase searches, psychometric as well as descriptive data of T25FW, 6MWT, SSST, and MSWS-12 were extracted from studies evaluating persons with MS (pwMS). Descriptive data was also extracted from healthy controls (HC), if reported.

Repurposing Licensed Drugs with Activity Against Epstein-Barr Virus for Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Approach.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated as a necessary factor in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) and may also be a driver of disease activity. Although it is not clear whether ongoing viral replication is the driver for MS pathology, MS researchers have considered the prospect of using drugs with potential efficacy against EBV in the treatment of MS. We have undertaken scientific and lived experience expert panel reviews to shortlist existing licensed therapies that could be used in later-stage clinical trials in MS.

Screening for cardiac sarcoidosis: diagnostic approach and long-term follow-up in a tertiary centre.

Background: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is associated with poor prognosis, making early diagnosis and treatment important. This study evaluated the results of a diagnostic approach in patients with known sarcoidosis and suspected cardiac involvement in a tertiary centre and their long-term outcomes.

Methods: We included 180 patients with sarcoidosis and a clinical suspicion of CS.

Statin therapy in ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation: Efficacy and safety outcomes.

Introduction: The efficacy and safety of statins for secondary prevention in patients who have experienced a cardioembolic stroke are not well-defined. However, previous observational data reported hyperlipidemia as a risk factor for both ischemic and bleeding complications in patients with AF and previous stroke. Based on these premises, we conducted a sub-analysis of the RAF and RAF-NOAC studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of statins in secondary prevention in patients with acute ischemic stroke and AF.

Montreal cognitive assessment as a cognitive outcome measure in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Background: The Montreal Cognitive assessment (MoCA) is a well-validated global cognitive screening instrument. Its validity in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) has not been assessed.

Objectives: To evaluate the MoCA as an outcome measure in PSP clinical trials.

Implementing proximity care for people with multiple sclerosis in Italy: the bottom-up approach of the StayHome project.

Objective: In Italy, around 137,000 people live with multiple sclerosis, facing organizational complexities due to the current model's limited focus on proximity care. This project aims to define a proximity model, in accordance with recent developments in the Italian healthcare landscape, engaging over 150 healthcare stakeholders and potentially impacting approximately 14,000 patients.

Methods: An analysis was pursued to map the multiple sclerosis pathway, followed by interviews to capture the actual implementation in Italian Multiple Sclerosis Centers.

Ofatumumab-exposed breastfeeding in multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: In Europe, ofatumumab is approved for breastfeeding, but data on its transfer into breast milk and clinical experience are lacking.

Objective: To analyze (1) health, development, and adverse events after live vaccination of ofatumumab-exposed breastfed infants and (2) detectability of ofatumumab in breast milk, and to calculate the relative infant dose (RID) using two methods, the traditional method and a second method considering maternal exposure to multiple ofatumumab doses and extended collection period.

Methods: In this observational study, clinical data were collected by standardized telephone interviews up to 2 years postpartum.

Identification of progressive pulmonary fibrosis: consensus findings from a modified Delphi study.

Background: We sought consensus among practising respiratory physicians on the prediction, identification and monitoring of progression in patients with fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) using a modified Delphi process.

Methods: Following a literature review, statements on the prediction, identification and monitoring of progression of ILD were developed by a panel of physicians with specialist expertise. Practising respiratory physicians were sent a survey asking them to indicate their level of agreement with these statements on a binary scale or 7-point Likert scale (- 3 to 3), or to select answers from a list.

More Than the Sum of Its Parts: Disrupted Core Periphery of Multiplex Brain Networks in Multiple Sclerosis.

Disruptions to brain networks, measured using structural (sMRI), diffusion (dMRI), or functional (fMRI) MRI, have been shown in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), highlighting the relevance of regions in the core of the connectome but yielding mixed results depending on the studied connectivity domain. Using a multilayer network approach, we integrated these three modalities to portray an enriched representation of the brain's core-periphery organization and explore its alterations in PwMS. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we selected PwMS and healthy controls with complete multimodal brain MRI acquisitions from 13 European centers within the MAGNIMS network.

Conservation of structural brain connectivity in people with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the central nervous system. Structures affected in MS include the corpus callosum, connecting the hemispheres. Studies have shown that in mammalian brains, structural connectivity is organized according to a conservation principle, an inverse relationship between intra- and interhemispheric connectivity.

Expanded and independent validation of the NoMoFA scale for Parkinson's disease: the Italian version.

Introduction: Non-motor symptoms (NMS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) can fluctuate daily, impacting patient quality of life. The Non-Motor Fluctuation Assessment (NoMoFA) Questionnaire, a recently validated tool, quantifies NMS fluctuations during ON- and OFF-medication states. Our study aimed to validate the Italian version of NoMoFA, comparing its results to the original validation and further exploring its clinimetric properties.

Cognitive reserve predicts long-term cognitive trajectories in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: The effect of cognitive reserve (CR) on cognition in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (pwRRMS) has been partially investigated.

Objectives: We aimed to explore the long-term cognitive trajectories of pwRRMS based on their CR, measured using the Vocabulary Knowledge Test (VOC).

Methods: 78 pwRRMS underwent a neuropsychological evaluation at baseline and after a mean follow-up of 6.

An update on access to novel treatment for metastatic melanoma in Europe - A 2024 survey of the European melanoma registry and the European association of dermato-oncology.

Advances in cancer treatments have significantly improved their effectiveness, yet access to first-line therapies remains limited. A 2017 survey revealed that over 25 % of metastatic melanoma patients in Europe lacked access to recommended therapies. To address this, the European Association of Dermato-Oncology and the European Melanoma Registry conducted a follow-up study on the registration and reimbursement of first-line treatments.

Patterns and predictors of multiple sclerosis phenotype transition.

Currently, there are limited therapeutic options for patients with non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Therefore, real-world studies have investigated differences between patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Here, we explore patterns and predictors of transitioning between these phenotypes.

Brief international cognitive assessment for MS (BICAMS) and NEDA maintenance in MS patients: A 2-year follow-up longitudinal study.

Background: The Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) has been validated in many cross-sectional studies. However, longitudinal data on BICAMS subset trajectories and their correlation with disease activity during follow-up are scarce.

Objectives: We aimed to (i) assess BICAMS changes in MS patients initiating high-efficacy disease-modifying-treatments (DMTs), (ii) compare these changes based on maintenance of "no-evidence-of-disease-activity" (NEDA-3) status over 24 months, and (iii) determine baseline clinical parameters predictive of cognitive changes.

Neurofilament Light Chain as a Discriminator of Disease Activity Status in MOG Antibody-Associated Disease.

Background And Objectives: In patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), acute disease activity is generally identified through medical history, neurologic examination, and imaging. However, these may be insufficient for detecting disease activity in specific conditions. This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) after clinical attacks and to assess their utility in discriminating attacks from remission in patients with MOGAD.

Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy. Patients typically develop rapidly progressive weakness and sensory deficits that can result in complete paralysis requiring mechanical ventilation. GBS is usually a monophasic disease in which an aberrant immune response to an infection or other trigger damages the peripheral nerves.

Evaluation of S100A8/A9 and neutrophils as prognostic markers in metastatic melanoma patients under immune-checkpoint inhibition.

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized melanoma treatment, yet approximately half of patients do not respond to these therapies. Identifying prognostic biomarkers is crucial for treatment decisions. Our retrospective study assessed liquid biopsies and tumor tissue analyses for two potential biomarkers: danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) S100A8/A9 and its source, neutrophils.

Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes in Women With Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Ocrelizumab.

Background And Objectives: Ocrelizumab labeling advises contraception for women during treatment and for 6-12 months thereafter. Because pregnancies may occur during this time, it is critical to understand pregnancy and infant outcomes in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) after ocrelizumab exposure.

Methods: Pregnancy cases reported to Roche global pharmacovigilance until 12 July 2023 were analyzed.

Differential Infiltration of Key Immune T-Cell Populations Across Malignancies Varying by Immunogenic Potential and the Likelihood of Response to Immunotherapy.

Solid tumors vary by the immunogenic potential of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the likelihood of response to immunotherapy. The emerging literature has identified key immune cell populations that significantly impact immune activation or suppression within the TME. This study investigated candidate T-cell populations and their differential infiltration within different tumor types as estimated from mRNA co-expression levels of the corresponding cellular markers.

A quantitative multi-parameter mapping protocol standardized for clinical research in multiple sclerosis.

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) involves mapping microstructure in standardized units sensitive to histological properties and supplements conventional MRI, which relies on contrast weighted images where intensities have no biophysical meaning. While measuring tissue properties such as myelin, iron or water content is desired in a disease context, qMRI changes may typically reflect mixed influences from aging or pre-clinical degeneration. We used a fast multi-parameter mapping (MPM) protocol for clinical routine at 3T to reconstruct whole-brain quantitative maps of magnetization transfer saturation (MT), proton density (PD), longitudinal (R1), and transverse relaxation rate (R2*) with 1.