113 research outputs found
Exogenous schwann cells migrate, remyelinate and promote clinical recovery in experimental auto-immune encephalomyelitis
Schwann cell (SC) transplantation is currently being discussed as a strategy that may promote functional recovery in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). However this assumes they will not only survive but also remyelinate demyelinated axons in the chronically inflamed CNS. To address this question we investigated the fate of transplanted SCs in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the Dark Agouti rat; an animal model that reproduces the complex inflammatory demyelinating immunopathology of MS. We now report that SCs expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP-SCs) allografted after disease onset not only survive but also migrate to remyelinate lesions in the inflamed CNS. GFP-SCs were detected more frequently in the parenchyma after direct injection into the spinal cord, than via intra-thecal delivery into the cerebrospinal fluid. In both cases the transplanted cells intermingled with astrocytes in demyelinated lesions, aligned with axons and by twenty one days post transplantation had formed Pzero protein immunoreactive internodes. Strikingly, GFP-SCs transplantation was associated with marked decrease in clinical disease severity in terms of mortality; all GFP-SCs transplanted animals survived whilst 80% of controls died within 40 days of disease
The valanginian weissert oceanic anoxic event recorded in central-Eastern Sardinia (Italy)
Investigations on the S\u2019Ozzastru section from the northern part of the Mt Albo area (central-eastern
Sardinia, Italy) for integrated litho- bio- and chemostratigraphy allowed the identification of the Valanginian Weissert
Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE), testified by a positive carbon isotope excursion (CIE). The section, which represents
the deepest-water succession of the Valanginian in Sardinia, is composed of the Schiridd\ue8 Limestone followed by
the Siniscola Marl, both proposed as new lithostratigraphic units. The presence among the ammonites of Busnardoites
campylotoxus allows the attribution of the Schiridd\ue8 Limestone to the upper Lower Valanginian Inostranzewi Zone of
Reboulet et al. 2014. Further characterization of this unit was not possible since it is barren/almost barren of nannofossils.
The Siniscola Marl can be ascribed to the lower Upper Valanginian on the basis of the ammonite fauna indicating
the Verrucosum Zone, and of the nannofossil content suggesting the Zone NK3. The carbon isotope record in
the Siniscola Marl is characterized by a positive excursion with values up to 2.98 \u2030. In the nannofossil assemblages,
nannoconids are not particularly abundant and are found, among others, together with C. oblongata, D. lehmanii, and
pentaliths. The scarcity of nannoconids is regarded as a biostratigraphic support for the identification of the Weissert
OAE, as it possibly reflects the \u201cnannoconid decline\u201d interval which characterizes this event. The end of the Weissert
OAE CIE is not recorded probably because of suppression of the upper part of the succession for tectonic causes
The Method for Assigning Priority Levels (MAPLe): A new decision-support system for allocating home care resources
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Home care plays a vital role in many health care systems, but there is evidence that appropriate targeting strategies must be used to allocate limited home care resources effectively. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a methodology for prioritizing access to community and facility-based services for home care clients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Canadian and international data based on the Resident Assessment Instrument – Home Care (RAI-HC) were analyzed to identify predictors for nursing home placement, caregiver distress and for being rated as requiring alternative placement to improve outlook.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The Method for Assigning Priority Levels (MAPLe) algorithm was a strong predictor of all three outcomes in the derivation sample. The algorithm was validated with additional data from five other countries, three other provinces, and an Ontario sample obtained after the use of the RAI-HC was mandated.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The MAPLe algorithm provides a psychometrically sound decision-support tool that may be used to inform choices related to allocation of home care resources and prioritization of clients needing community or facility-based services.</p
Effects of a home visiting nurse intervention versus care as usual on individual activities of daily living: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and encephalomyelitis disseminata/multiple sclerosis show remarkable levels of similarity in phenomenology and neuroimmune characteristics
Human polyomavirus JC replication and non-coding control region analysis in multiple sclerosis patients under natalizumab treatment
Development and validation of clinical profiles of patients hospitalized due to behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
Predictors of emergency room visits or acute hospital admissions prior to death among hospice palliative care clients in Ontario: a retrospective cohort study
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