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The article focuses on a Tropical Air–Sea Propagation Study (TAPS) a field campaign combined with operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) forecasts in Lucinda and Ingham, Australia. Topics discussed include collection of coordinated clear-air atmospheric and radio frequency datasets, real-time predictions of the environment, and use of signals of opportunity to remotely sense refractivity information.

Background: The risk of persistent postsurgical pain (PPP) and subsequent pain-related functional impairment may potentially be reduced by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) compared to thoracotomy. The aim of the study was therefore to assess in detail the incidence and consequences on activities of daily living of PPP after VATS.Methods: Using a prospective observational design, 47 patients undergoing VATS completed both preoperative, early postoperative and 3 months follow-up. Preoperative pain, pain characteristics, psychological factors, pain-related functional impairment and quantitative sensory testing (QST) including nociceptive thresholds were compared with postoperative data.Results: Only five (11%) patients developed PPP with NRS > 3 originating from the surgical area. However, about 30% of patients still reported some pain-related functional impairment from the surgical area within four well-defined domains of everyday activities. Psychological and sensory thermal tests did not predict persistent postoperative pain, except preoperative pin-prick sensitivity was higher in patients with PPP. Postoperative pain 7 days after surgery was significantly higher in PPP patients. Preoperative pain originating from remote areas did not predict PPP.Conclusion: The incidence of PPP, nerve damage (based on QST) and pain-related functional impairment following VATS was lower than reported following thoracotomy. No psychological or other factors predicted PPP. These findings call for further large-scale studies to support VATS to decrease PPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue occurs in the majority of multiple sclerosis patients and therapeutic possibilities are few. Fatigue, mood and quality of life were studied in patients with multiple sclerosis following progressive resistance training leading to improvement of muscular strength and functional capacity. Fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale, FSS), mood (Major Depression Inventory, MDI) and quality of life (physical and mental component scores, PCS and MCS, of SF36) were scored at start, end and follow-up of a randomized controlled clinical trial of 12 weeks of progressive resistance training in moderately disabled (Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS: 3-5.5) multiple sclerosis patients including a Control group (n=15) and an Exercise group (n=16). Fatigue (FSS>4) was present in all patients. Scores of FSS, MDI, PCS-SF36 and MCS-SF36 were comparable at start of study in the two groups. Fatigue improved during exercise by -0.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) -1.4 to 0.4) a.u. vs. 0.1 (95% CI -0.4 to 0.6) a.u. in controls (p=0.04), mood improved by -2.4 (95% CI -4.1 to 0.7) a.u. vs. 1.1 (-1.2 to 3.4) a.u. in controls (p=0.01) and quality of life (PCS-SF36) improved by 3.5 (95% CI 1.4-5.7) a.u. vs. -1.0 (95% CI -3.4-1.4) a.u. in controls (p=0.01). The beneficial effect of progressive resistance training on all scores was maintained at follow-up after further 12 weeks. Fatigue, mood and quality of life all improved following progressive resistance training, the beneficial effect being maintained for at least 12 weeks after end of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) and herpesviruses are increasingly associated with the pathogenesis of the neurological inflammatory disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Herpesviruses are capable of HERV activation and simultaneous presence of HERV and herpesvirus antigens have a synergistic effect on cell-mediated immune responses, which tend to be higher in MS patients in comparison with healthy individuals. Here, we investigate whether these synergistic immune responses are reflected in changes in the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), we have performed a comparative study between MS patients and healthy controls to investigate the production of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL) 2, or IL-10 as well as the balance between Th1 and Th2 responses in supernatants from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with HERV and herpes antigen combinations. We have found a significant disproportion in Th1/Th2 responses in PBMCs from MS patients caused by the joint presence of HERV and herpes antigens. The results also showed a significantly higher IFN-γ production in cells from MS patients; additionally, this production correlated with the synergistic cell proliferations whereas we did not find such a correlation in healthy controls. Our findings suggest that the increased production of IFN-γ and the induced imbalance in Th1/Th2 responses favouring the inflammatory reactions in MS patients may lead to progression of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The millimeter (MM) wave and sub-MM wave (30-600 GHz) frequency band contains fundamental rotational and vibrational resonances of many molecular gases composed of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulphur. The high specificity of rotational spectra to organic molecules affords MM wave spectroscopy having potential use in remotely sensing atmospheric pollutants and the detection of airborne chemicals is important for arms control treaty verification, intelligence collection, and environmental monitbring. This paper considers the sensitivity requirements of radiofrequency receiver systems for measuring MM wave absorption/emission signatures. The significance of receiver sensitivity and material optical depth to sensing is highlighted. A background to the technology needed for sensing at MM and sub-MM wavelengths then provides the basis for a review of MM wave spectroscoPy and its role on profiling the concentrations of trace polar molecules and ionized radicals in the high altitude atmosphere. The application of the MM wave spectroscopic technique in ambient conditions is then reviewed and the issues associated with developing the technique for standoff remote sensing is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common disability scales in multiple sclerosis (MS) are often weighted towards physical disability. Non-motor symptoms such as depression, fatigue and pain substantially influence wellbeing in MS. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures the broader impact of MS and might indicate less obvious disease burdens. We analysed HRQoL, using the Nottingham Health Profile Part I (NHP-I), among 345 secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients participating in a randomized trial of interferon-β1a (IFN-β1a), 22 mg subcutaneously weekly, or matching placebo. The results did not reveal any beneficial effect of IFN-β1a in any outcome measure. NHP-I sub- and sum scores were compared for 217 population controls and correlated with demographic and clinical disease variables. SPMS patients had lower NHP-I sum and all subscores than the controls. Patients experiencing disease progression reported worse NHP-I sum scores. Increased fatigue, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Arm Index scores were independently associated with reduction in several NHP-I subscores. SPMS patients had significantly lower HRQoL than controls and physical disability (EDSS and Arm Index), disease progression and fatigue strongly influenced this. MS influenced subdimensions such as pain, sleep and emotional reactions. Increased focus on optimizing symptomatic treatment and psychosocial patient care could improve patients' HRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of our research was to evaluate in vitro therapeutic efficacy of doxorubicin (DXR)-loaded immunoliposomes with Fab' fragments of the anti-CD74 antibody LL1 attached to the surface. LL1 is well suited for targeting purposes because it is internalized very fast by B-lymphoma cells. However, at in vivo application whole antibodies show fast clearance in circulation. Taking this fact into consideration, this study was initiated to elucidate the prospects of using Fab' fragments of LL1 in stead of the whole antibody for future targeting in vivo of DXR-loaded liposomes. The Fab' fragments were covalently attached to the surface of sterically stabilized liposomes by use of a PEG-based heterobifunctinal coupling agent. LL1 Fab' conjugated sterically stabilized DXR liposomes showed approximately six times faster accumulation of the drug in Raji human B-lymphoma cells than nontargeted liposomes. In vitro cytotoxicity, quantitated by a tetrazolium assay, against Raji cells gave IC50 values of 0.13, 0.45, and 0.11 μM for DXR-loaded immunoliposomes, DXR-loaded liposomes and free drug, respectively. The results from this study suggest that DXR-loaded immunoliposomes targeted with Fab' fragments from the anti-CD74 antibody LL1 could be a useful system for future in vivo experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective – To assess the presence of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) DNA in saliva and plasma from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled valacyclovir treatment study. Methods – DNA was prepared following ultracentrifugation of saliva and plasma. EBV and HHV-6B DNAs were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results – EBV and HHV-6B DNAs were detected in 41% and 65% of saliva samples, respectively. In patients treated with valacyclovir, the percentage of saliva samples with EBV was significantly reduced (9%; P = 0.000017), whereas the frequency of HHV-6B positive samples was unchanged (57%; P = 0.38). Longitudinal studies demonstrated a time-dependent reduction in the frequency of saliva samples containing EBV following valacyclovir treatment. In contrast, plasma contained EBV and HHV-6B DNAs in 17% and 25% of the samples, respectively, and these numbers were not significantly reduced following valacylovir treatment (13% and 16%, respectively), nor were they different from those of healthy controls (6% and 39%, respectively). Patients with high disease activity had a significantly higher frequency of EBV ( P = 0.018) and HHV-6B ( P = 0.023) positive samples than did patients with low disease activity. The presence of EBV and HHV-6B was strongly correlated in plasma ( P < 0.00000001), but not in saliva ( P = 0.41). Conclusion – MS patients express EBV and HHV-6B in both saliva and plasma, but only the expression of EBV in saliva is significantly reduced following valacyclovir treatment. Although EBV and HHV-6B DNAs can be detected in plasma from healthy individuals, the co-expression of both these viruses in MS patients is highly significant and further associated with clinical activity. The observations of viral DNA in plasma are consistent with an underlying immunologic defect in MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Interferon (IFN) beta has repeatedly shown benefit in multiple sclerosis (MS) in reducing the rate of relapse, the disease activity as shown with magnetic resonance imaging and, to some degree, the progression of disability; however, it is unknown how much the therapeutic response depends on the dose, the subgroup involved, and the disease stage. This multicentre, double blind, placebo controlled study explored the dose-response curve by examining the clinical benefit of low dose IFN beta-1a (Rebif), 22 micro g subcutaneously once weekly, in patients with secondary progressive MS.Methods: A total of 371 patients with clinically definite SPMS were randomised to receive either placebo or subcutaneous IFN beta-1a, 22 micro g once weekly, for 3 years. Clinical assessments were performed every 6 months. The primary outcome was time to sustained disability, as defined by time to first confirmed 1.0 point increase on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Secondary outcomes included a sensitive disability measure and relapse rate.Results: Treatment had no beneficial effect on time to confirmed progression on either the EDSS (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.13; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82 to 1.57; p = 0.45 for 22 micro g v placebo) or the Regional Functional Status Scale (HR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.68 to 1.28; p = 0.67). Other disability measures were also not significantly affected by treatment. Annual relapse rate was 0.27 with placebo and 0.25 with IFN (rate ratio = 0.90; 95% CI 0.64 to 1.27; p = 0.55). The drug was well tolerated with no new safety concerns identified. No significant gender differences were noted.Conclusions: This patient population was less clinically active than SPMS populations studied in other trials. Treatment with low dose, IFN beta-1a (Rebif) once weekly did not show any benefit in this study for either disability or relapse outcomes, including a subgroup with preceding relapses. These results add a point at one extreme of the dose-response spectrum of IFN beta therapy in MS, indicating that relapses in this phase may need treatment with higher doses than in the initial phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY An increased frequency of antiviral CD8+ T cells is seen in chronic viral infections. During herpes virus infections the expanded CD8+ T cells are thought to control the reactivation of the latent infection. Because multiple sclerosis (MS), a presumed autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, has been associated with a late Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, we wished to examine whether the CD8+ T cell response to EBV epitopes differed between MS patients and healthy controls. Here we report an increased frequency of CD8+ T cells responding to EBV epitopes from nuclear antigen 3 A (HLA-A2/CLG) and latent membrane protein 2 (HLA-B7/RPP) in MS patients. Noticeably, the altered CD8+ T cell response occurred to some but not all EBV epitopes and did not reach the high level seen during acute infection. The responses towards two immunodominant epitopes from human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) were similar in MS patients and normal controls. Together, our data demonstrate the presence of an increased frequency of CD8+ T cells reacting with two epitopes from EBV in patients with MS. The altered response to only two of the tested EBV epitopes would be consistent with the presence of cross-reactive epitopes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to characterize retroviral sequences by RT‐PCR with gag and env primers on RNA from RT‐positive retroviral particles produced by multiple sclerosis (MS) derived B‐lymphoblastoid cell lines. Sequence variants with high homology to the potentially functional subgroup RGH of the human endogenous retrovirus RTVL‐H/HERV‐H family were found. The same sequences were also specifically found in the particulate fraction of a series of MS patient plasma samples and were absent in controls. South‐Western blots demonstrate the presence of a nucleic acid binding protein, corresponding in size and function to the nucleocapsid protein, Gag NC, of other retroviruses. We also present indications for transmission of the retrovirus to PHA‐stimulated lymphocytes from healthy individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histologic examination of muscle biopsies and functional examination comprising electromyography and force measurements in a 19-yr-old boy with muscular dystrophy showed different wasting patterns of mandibular elevator and depressor muscles. Pronounced histopathologic changes were present in the masseter muscle, whereas pathologic findings in the anterior digastric muscle were limited to increased number of cells in slightly enlarged interfiber connective tissue. The masticatory pattern was distorted, and strength of mandibular elevator muscles was less than one third of the norm, whereas depressor strength corresponded more to reference values. This difference of muscular wasting might be caused by protective enzymes in the digastric muscle and/or functionally induced damage of the masseter. As affection from muscular dystrophy may vary greatly between the masticatory muscles, structural and functional examination should be used routinely to clarify prognosis before initiation of treatment procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a random screening of camel diseases in Somalia dust-laden macrophages in lungs and/or bronchial lymph nodes were discovered in 94 of 134 animals. In 44 cases the dust-laden macrophages occurred in a number of small or large aggregates. There was a significant positive correlation between dust-laden macrophage aggregates in the lungs and pulmonary fibrosis not related to other chronic lung diseases, such as echinococcosis and chronic pneumonia. Six cases showed a cellular reaction and hyalinized nodules of the classic silicotic type. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis of the dust particles revealed presence of silica, aluminium, potassium and iron in that order. The possible clinical significance as well as the comparative pathology of the observations is discussed. Zusammenfassung Silikat-Pneumokoniose bei Kamelen ( Camelus dromedarius L.) Bei einer randomisierten Erhebung über Kamel-Krankheiten in Somalia wurden bei 94 von 134 Tieren staubbeladene Makrophagen in der Lunge und/oder in den bronchialen Lymphknoten gefunden. In 44 Fällen kamen die staubbeladenen Makrophagen teilweise als kleine oder große Ansammlungen vor. Zwischen den Ansammlungen von staubbeladenen Makrophagen in der Lunge und der nicht mit anderen chronischen Lungenerkrankungen, wie z. B. Echinokokkose und chronischer Pneumonie, in Zusammenhang stehenden Fibrose ergab sich eine signifikante positive Korrelation. Sechs Fälle zeigten eine zelluläre Reaktion und hyaline Knötchen vom klassischen silikotischen Typ. Die Röntgenstrahl-Dispersions-Analyse der Staubpartikel ergab in abfallender Reihenfolge die Anwesenheit von Siliziumoxyd, Aluminium, Kalium und Eisen. Die Beobachtungen werden bezüglich der möglichen klinischen Bedeutung sowie hinsichtlich der vergleichenden Pathologie diskutiert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]