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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system, characterised by neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Fatigue and depression are common, debilitating, and intertwined symptoms in people with relapsing-remitting MS (pwRRMS). An increased understanding of brain changes and mechanisms underlying fatigue and depression in RRMS could lead to more effective interventions and enhancement of quality of life. To elucidate the relationship between depression and fatigue and brain connectivity in pwRRMS we conducted a systematic review. Searched databases were PubMed, Web-of-Science and Scopus. Inclusion criteria were: studied participants with RRMS (n ≥ 20; ≥ 18 years old) and differentiated between MS subtypes; published between 2001-01-01 and 2023-01-18; used fatigue and depression assessments validated for MS; included brain structural, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or diffusion MRI (dMRI). Sixty studies met the criteria: 18 dMRI (15 fatigue, 5 depression) and 22 fMRI (20 fatigue, 5 depression) studies. The literature was heterogeneous; half of studies reported no correlation between brain connectivity measures and fatigue or depression. Positive findings showed that abnormal cortico-limbic structural and functional connectivity was associated with depression. Fatigue was linked to connectivity measures in cortico-thalamic-basal-ganglial networks. Additionally, both depression and fatigue were related to altered cingulum structural connectivity, and functional connectivity involving thalamus, cerebellum, frontal lobe, ventral tegmental area, striatum, default mode and attention networks, and supramarginal, precentral, and postcentral gyri. Qualitative analysis suggests structural and functional connectivity changes, possibly due to axonal and/or myelin loss, in the cortico-thalamic-basal-ganglial and cortico-limbic network may underlie fatigue and depression in pwRRMS, respectively, but the overall results were inconclusive, possibly explained by heterogeneity and limited number of studies. This highlights the need for further studies including advanced MRI to detect more subtle brain changes in association with depression and fatigue. Future studies using optimised imaging protocols and validated depression and fatigue measures are required to clarify the substrates underlying these symptoms in pwRRMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major obstacle toward creating human‐scale artificial tissue models is supplying encapsulated cells with oxygen and other nutrients throughout the construct. In particular, creating channels in hydrogels that match the resolution and density of the smallest blood capillaries (≤10 µm) remains highly challenging. Here, a novel method is demonstrated where polycaprolactone fibers printed using melt‐electrowriting are encapsulated in cell‐laden hydrogels and then physically removed to produce hollow, perfusable channels. This technique produces a range of channel diameters (10–41 µm) with circular cross‐sections and in hydrogels representing various crosslinking mechanisms. The channels can be formed as interconnected grids, hierarchically branched patterns, or stacked in layers with ≈200 µm channel spacing, thus matching average capillary density in the human body. Alternatively, selective removal of fibers from a melt electrowriting grid can generate perfusable channels within a reinforcing fiber network. This method can be performed in the presence of cells, with human fibroblasts exhibiting encapsulated in gelatin methacryloyl showing no detectable cytotoxic effects. This technique is a promising approach for creating perfusable channels with very small diameters within cell‐laden hydrogel matrices, with potential applications including in vitro tissue models and hydrogel microfluidics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition for which a range of systemic treatments have recently been approved. A treat-to-target strategy has been developed previously alongside an algorithm to guide the management of patients with atopic dermatitis. Here, we review the strategy and algorithm in the context of the evolving therapeutic landscape, and identify areas for further refinement and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Veterinary Journal / Revue Vétérinaire Canadienne is the property of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: Recent studies show that cats could play an important role in the transmission of Leptospira species. There are few reports of leptospirosis on Prince Edward Island (PEI) and none in cats. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of serum antibodies against Leptospira serovars and of Leptospira DNA in the urine of a population of free-roaming cats. Methods: Paired blood and urine samples were collected from 200 cats brought to a trap–neuter–return program. Antibody titers against six Leptospira serovars (Bratislava, Canicola, Gryppotyphosa, Hardjo, Pomona, Icterohaemorrhagiae) were determined by microscopic agglutination test. PCR was performed on urine samples to identify urine shedding of Leptospira DNA. Results: Antibodies were detected in 20/200 cats (10%) for at least one serovar, with titers ranging from 1:50 to 1:6400 (all serovars tested, except Hardjo). Urine samples of 7/200 cats (3.5%) were PCR-positive. Conclusions and relevance: Feral cats in PEI had a higher than expected exposure to leptospirosis and can shed DNA from pathogenic Leptospira species in urine. Further studies are needed to determine the prevalence of exposure to leptospirosis in other species on PEI and the potential role of feral cats in transmission of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal management of atopic dermatitis requires a comprehensive assessment of response to treatment in order to inform therapeutic decisions. In a realworld setting, successful response to atopic dermatitis treatment is measured by sustained improvements in signs, symptoms, and quality of life. Post-hoc analyses of a 1-year, randomized, double-blinded, placebocontrolled trial (NCT02260986) of dupilumab with concomitant topical corticosteroids in 421 adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (of whom 315/106 received placebo/dupilumab (of whom 315 received placebo and 106 received dupilumab) was performed to assess the proportion of responders to dupilumab through a multidimensional composite endpoint. At 6-months, 80.2% of dupilumab-treated vs 40.0% placebo patients (p < 0.0001) achieved improvement in signs (Eczema Area and Severity Index ≤ 7), symptoms (worst itch score ≤ 4), or quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index ≤5), representative of minimal/clear atopic dermatitis. All 3 endpoints, indicative of no/minimal atopic dermatitis, were achieved by 44.3% of dupilumab-treated vs 10.2% placebo patients (p < 0.0001) and sustained through 1 year. Dupilumab treatment provided sustained clinically meaningful improvement in signs, symptoms, and quality of life in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease that affects the quality of life (QoL) of HD gene expansion carriers (HDGECs) and their partners. Although HD expertise centers have been emerging across Europe, there are still some important barriers to care provision for those affected by this rare disease, including transportation costs, geographic distance of centers, and availability/accessibility of these services in general. eHealth seems promising in overcoming these barriers, yet research on eHealth in HD is limited and fails to use telehealth services specifically designed to fit the perspectives and expectations of HDGECs and their families. In the European HD-eHelp study, we aim to capture the needs and wishes of HDGECs, partners of HDGECs, and health care providers (HCPs) in order to develop a multinational eHealth platform targeting QoL of both HDGECs and partners at home. Methods: We will employ a participatory user-centered design (UCD) approach, which focusses on an in-depth understanding of the end-users' needs and their contexts. Premanifest and manifest adult HDGECs (n = 76), partners of HDGECs (n = 76), and HCPs (n = 76) will be involved as end-users in all three phases of the research and design process: (1) Exploration and mapping of the end-users' needs, experiences and wishes; (2) Development of concepts in collaboration with end-users to ensure desirability; (3) Detailing of final prototype with quick review rounds by end-users to create a positive user-experience. This study will be conducted in the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, and Ireland to develop and test a multilingual platform that is suitable in different healthcare systems and cultural contexts. Discussion: Following the principles of UCD, an innovative European eHealth platform will be developed that addresses the needs and wishes of HDGECs, partners and HCPs. This allows for high-quality, tailored care to be moved partially into the participants' home, thereby circumventing some barriers in current HD care provision. By actively involving end-users in all design decisions, the platform will be tailored to the end-users' unique requirements, which can be considered pivotal in eHealth services for a disease as complex and rare as HD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research / Revue Canadienne de Recherche Vétérinaire is the property of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Pruritus and skin discomfort/pain negatively impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The effects of apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, on pruritus, skin discomfort/pain, and patient global assessment of psoriasis disease activity (PgAPDA) were assessed in patients with moderate/severe chronic plaque psoriasis in the phase 3 ESTEEM trials. Significant improvements in pruritus and skin discomfort/pain observed at Week 2 with apremilast versus placebo (both studies, p < 0.0001) were sustained through Week 32. Among apremilast-treated patients, improvements in pruritus visual analog scale (VAS) scores correlated with Dermatology Life Quality Index scores (rs = 0.55 [Week 16]; rs≥ 0.51 [Week 32]; both studies, p < 0.001). PgAPDA correlated with improvements in pruritus (rs≥ 0.56 [Week 16]; rs≥ 0.53 [Week 32]; both studies, p < 0.001) and skin discomfort/pain (rs ≥ 0.54 [Week 16]; rs≥ 0.53 [Week 32]; both studies, p < 0.001) VAS scores. Apremilast provided rapid and sustained improvement in pruritus and skin discomfort/pain, symptoms not typically captured in psoriasis assessments (e.g., PASI) that contribute significantly to patients' disease severity and HRQoL perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which investigates the prevalence of infectious disease in a feral cat population on Prince Edward Island, Canada. The study examined 96 feral cats from the said area and determined the prevalence of chosen infectious agents. Results show that prevalence rates were 5.2% for feline immunodeficiency virus. And 3.1% for Mycoplasma haemofelis, and 3.1% for feline leukemia virus. However flea infestation is not linked with any of the infectious agents.

A 22-year-old male with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa with a large superficial and nodular basal cell carcinoma on his right forehead was treated with photodynamic therapy. The treatment was well tolerated, and the site healed well. Patients with epidermolysis bullosa are at increased risk of developing skin cancers, particularly squamous cell carcinomas. However, basal cell carcinomas are rare in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. As patients with epidermolysis bullosa have recurrent blistering and poor wound healing, surgerymay not be the optimal choice in treating skin cancers. We present this case to highlight that photodynamic therapy may be a helpful and safe technique in the treatment of superficial skin cancers in patients with epidermolysis bullosa, as an alternative to more radical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Surgery is indicated in very few children with intractable functional constipation. A number of operations have been described with unpredictable outcome and significant morbidity. The authors present a series of 10 children who underwent a Hartmann procedure with end colostomy formation.Method: Preoperative management, in addition to maximum conservative measures, included psychologic referral, rectal biopsy, transit studies, and contrast enemas. A standard Hartmann procedure was performed with on-table rectal washout, formation of a proximal sigmoid colostomy, limited anterior resection of hypertrophic proximal rectosigmoid, and oversewing of the rectal stump.Results: The series includes 10 pediatric patients (4 female, 6 male), in whom constipation was first reported at a median age of 3 years (range, 2 months-7 years) and surgical referral was made at 8 years (range, 1-14 years). Surgery was performed at a median age of 9.5 years (range, 2-15 years), and the median postoperative stay was 5 days (range, 4-9 days). Complications occurred in four patients (transient mild rectal discharge in 2, stomal prolapse in 1, and an unrelated small bowel obstruction in 1 patient with an additional Mitrofanoff stoma). Median postoperative follow-up was 31 months (range, 9-56 months), and the children and parents were all completely satisfied with the stoma.Conclusion: Colostomy formation is a potential surgical option for severe functional constipation with low associated morbidity and high patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To evaluate safety of stylet-in and stylet-out techniques for collection of CSF from the cisterna magna and to assess whether there were differences between techniques with regard to contamination of samples, sample quality, and efficiency of collection. ANIMALS 10 adult purpose-bred research Beagles. PROCEDURES A prospective crossover study was conducted. Preanesthetic physical and neurologic examinations and hematologic analyses were performed. Dogs were anesthetized, and collection of CSF samples from the cisterna magna by use of a stylet-in or stylet-out technique was performed. Two weeks later, samples were collected with the other sample collection technique. Samples of CSF were processed within I hour after collection. RESULTS Cellular debris was detected in higher numbers in stylet-in samples, although this did not affect sample quality. The stylet-out technique was performed more rapidly. No adverse effects were detected for either technique. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Both techniques could be safely performed in healthy anesthetized dogs. The stylet-out technique was performed more rapidly and yielded a sample with less cellular debris. Both techniques can be used in clinical practice to yield CSF samples with good diagnostic quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information about Interleukin-17 (IL-17), which has been emerged as an important factor in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. It states that AMG 827, a human monoclonal antibody, binds with human IL-17 receptor antagonist (IL-17RA) and prevents the biological activity of IL-17 antagonists. It also presents several charts and graphs which shows that single doses of AMG 827 lead to rapid improvement in psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) responses.