Mild-to-moderate COVID-19 does not predispose to the development of autoimmune rheumatic diseases or autoimmune-based thrombosis.

An infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) may have a significant impact on the human immune system. Interactions between the virus and defence mechanisms may promote the development of autoimmune processes which manifest as antinuclear antibody (ANA) synthesis. Since many different viruses are suspected to take part in the pathogenesis of different systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), we examined whether coronavirus disease 2019 convalescents who suffer from mild to moderate disease have a higher risk of developing ANA and anti-β-glicoprotein I IgG antibodies (β GPI).

Low intensity exercise training in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - factors influencing eligibility and compliance to the clinical trial.

Background: To date, there are no evidence-based recommendations for physical therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The reason is a low number of related clinical trials (CTs), restricted sample sizes and a high dropout rate. It may influence the profile of the participants, while the final results might not translate to the general ALS population.

Well-being on supportive techniques in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: from neurologists' perspective.

Objective: To investigate intercultural neurologists' perception of well-being in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using gastrostomy (PEG), non-invasive, and/or invasive ventilation (NIV/IV) and to analyse the determinants and impact on the management of the above medical interventions (MIs).

Methods: The study was based on anonymous questionnaires addressing the clinical approach and personal attitude towards the use of PEG, NIV and IV in ALS patients completed by 465 neurologists: 228 from Germany and 237 from Poland.

Results: The German and Polish neurologists estimated the quality of life in ALS patients using PEG and NIV as neutral, whilst low in individuals using IV.

An atypical radiographic appearance of a cardiac myxoma: case report and review of the literature.

Cardiac myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumours in adults. They usually present as a solitary, solid mass in the left atrium. Their most common radiographic appearance is that of a hypodense lesion on computed tomography (CT) and inhomogeneous lesion (hypo to isointense on T1 sequences and hyperintense on T2 sequences) on magnetic resonance (MR) with some contrast enhancement.

Physical activity in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Prevalence, patients' perspectives and relation to the motor performance.

Background: There are no recommendations for physical activity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients.

Objective: (i) To describe the prevalence and pattern of physical activity (PA) in ALS patients; (ii) to explore patients' attitude towards PA; and (iii) to investigate the relationship between PA at home environment and the rate of functional decline.

Methods: 96 ALS patients were followed for 6 months at 3-month intervals and assessed by site of disease onset, disease duration, diagnosis delay, functional status, muscle strength, fatigue and prevalence of PA.

Motor neurons loss in Parkinson Disease: An electrophysiological study (MUNE).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of a peripheral motor neuron in Parkinson Disease (PD) using the motor unit number estimation (MUNE) method, which reflects motor unit loss in motor neuron diseases. Multipoint incremental MUNE method was calculated in abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and abductor digiti minimi (ADM) in forty one (41) patients with PD and forty five (45) healthy volunteers. From the analysis, the MUNE of APB was lower in PD than in the control group, especially in the sub-group aged 60 years or older.

Gastrostomy and mechanical ventilation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: how best to support the decision-making process?

The unfavourable outcome of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) confronts patients with challenging decisions regarding life-sustaining measures. The decision-making process is usually triggered by medical consultations and patient-dependent factors. This may largely depend on the physician's depth of knowledge and professional experience.

Emotional Lability at Disease Onset Is an Independent Prognostic Factor of Faster Disease Progression in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fast progressing neurodegenerative disease leading to quadriplegia, anarthria and respiratory insufficiency. A large variety of phenotypes and disability progression requires individually tailored management. Identification of predictors of poor prognosis may not only improve management, but also allow for more precise patients' stratification for clinical trials or research studies.

ALS and fertility: does ALS affect number of children patients have?

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is one major disease in the group of neurodegenerative conditions. As with most other neurodegenerative diseases, clinical signs of the disease usually show among the elderly population, and most commonly around 60-65 years of age. Therefore the disease is not expected to impact the fertility of ALS patients.

The relationship between aquaporin-4 antibody status and visual tract integrity in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: A visual evoked potential study.

Background: Optic neuritis (ON) is one of the hallmark symptomatic features of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). The majority of patients with NMOSD present highly specific autoantibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4). A number of studies have reported poor visual acuity outcomes in individuals with AQP4 seropositive NMOSD, but no such relationship has been found with regard to visual evoked potentials (VEP) parameters such as the amplitude and latency of the P100 component.

Positron emission tomography neuroimaging in neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Neurodegenerative diseases are a growing problem of ageing societies. Their insidious onset, and the lack of reliable biomarkers, result in significant diagnosis delays. This article summarises the results of studies on the use of positron emission tomography (PET) in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.