Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and-9 and their tissue inhibitors in inflammatory neuromuscular disorders

We monitored serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) before and during intravenously applied immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in 33 patients with chronic immune-mediated neuropathies and myopathies and 15 controls. Baseline MMP-2 and TIMP-2 serum levels were lower and MMP-9 and TIMP-1 serum levels higher in all patients compared to age-matched controls. Eight days after IVIG treatment, MMP-2, TIMP-2, and TIMP-1 serum levels increased, while MMP-9 serum levels decreased, indicating tissue repair. After 60 days, MMP-9 levels increased, MMP-2 approached normal levels, while TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 serum levels were below day 8 levels, indicating relapsing tissue damage. Comparing the MMP/TIMP results with the clinical courses, IVIG treatment tended to change MMP/TIMP levels in a way that paralleled clinical improvement and relapse. In sum, during a distinct time period, IVIG therapy seems to be able to modulate VIMP-mediated tissue repair. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

Boosting cross-border regions through better cross-border transport services. The European case

Cross-border regions are the laboratories of European integration. Daily interactions across European borders let citizens experience the benefits of the European Union (EU) internal market. Still, many border barriers continue to prevent individuals and organisations from exploiting the full-potential of European border regions and the benefits of a more integrated European territory. Amongst these barriers are the absence or inappropriate supply of cross-border public transport services. In this context, this paper presents potential policy tools to increase border permeability related to cross-border public transport as well as practical results from a few case-studies implemented across Europe.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Words and silence: the relationship between Benedict XVI and the media

The relationship between Benedict XVI and the media could be called both tense and intense. In the following pages, I analyze four episodes especially demonstrative of this relationship: the publication of The Ratzinger Report (), the controversial Regensburg Address (), the subsequent Papal visit to Turkey and the 2010 visit to the United Kingdom–this last one ending, ironically, on an idyllic note. By examining these events, we can better understand Benedict XVI’s reflections about the media and social networks, and the necessary relationship between reason, word, silence and truth