Serum biomarkers at disease onset for personalized therapy in multiple sclerosis.

The potential of combining serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) levels to predict disability worsening in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains underexplored. We aimed to investigate whether sNfL and sGFAP values identify distinct subgroups of patients according to the risk of disability worsening and their response to disease-modifying treatments (DMTs). This multicentre study, conducted across thirteen European hospitals, spanned from July 15, 1994, to August 18, 2022, with follow-up until September 26, 2023. We enrolled MS patients who had serum samples collected within 12 months from disease onset and before initiating DMTs. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate the risk of relapse-associated worsening (RAW), progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA), and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 3. Of the 725 patients included, median age was 34.2 years (IQR, 27.6-42.4), and 509 patients (70.2%) were female. Median follow-up duration was 6.43 years (IQR, 4.65-9.81). Higher sNfL values associated with an elevated risk of RAW (HR of 1.45; 95% CI 1.19-1.76; P < 0.001), PIRA (HR of 1.43; 95% CI 1.13-1.81; P = 0.003), and reaching an EDSS of 3 (HR of 1.55; 95% CI 1.29-1.85; P < 0.001). Moreover, higher sGFAP levels were linked to a higher risk of achieving an EDSS score of 3 (HR of 1.36; 95% CI 1.06-1.74; P = 0.02) and, in patients with low sNfL values, to PIRA (HR of 1.86; 95% CI 1.01-3.45; P = 0.04). We further examined the combined effect of sNfL and sGFAP levels. Patients with low sNfL and sGFAP values (NLGL) exhibited a low risk of all outcomes and served as reference. Untreated patients with high sNfL levels showed a higher risk of RAW, PIRA, and reaching an EDSS of 3. Injectable or oral DMTs reduced the risk of RAW in these patients but failed to mitigate the risk of PIRA and reaching an EDSS of 3. Conversely, high-efficacy DMTs counteracted the heightened risk of these outcomes, except for the risk of PIRA in patients with high sNfL and sGFAP levels. Patients with low sNfL and high sGFAP values (NLGH) showed an increased risk of PIRA and achieving an EDSS of 3, which remained unchanged with either high-efficacy or other DMTs. In conclusion, evaluating sNfL and sGFAP levels at disease onset in MS may identify distinct phenotypes associated with diverse immunological pathways of disability acquisition and therapeutic response.

Establishing Normal Serum Values of Neurofilament Light Chains and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Considering the Effects of Age and Other Demographic Factors in Healthy Adults.

Multiple studies have shown the importance of blood-based biomarkers indicating axonal damage (serum neurofilament light chains [sNfL]) or astroglia activation (serum glial fibrillary acidic protein [sGFAP]) for monitoring different neurological diseases. However, normal values of these variables remain to be clearly defined, partly due to the influence of different demographic factors. We investigated demographic differences in a cohort of healthy volunteers. A cross-sectional study was conducted including 116 healthy controls with ages between 18 and 69 years (67.5% females; n = 79). sNfL and sGFAP concentrations were measured using single-molecule arrays. Age and body mass index affected sNfL values, and age was found to be the most important factor. The normal values changed with age, and we established normal values for individuals younger than 45 years as <10 pg/mL and for controls older than 45 years as <15 pg/mL. We established normal values at <10 pg/mL for individuals younger than 45 years and <15 pg/mL for older individuals. Alternatively, a Z-score of 1.5 was relevant for all controls. sGFAP was only affected by age. Differences in normal values were evident by 55 years. The highest normality limit for sGFAP was 140 pg/mL for controls under 55 years and 280 for older controls. We defined normal levels for sNfL and sGFAP and their corresponding age-associated changes. These data may contribute to the application of such variables in clinical practice.

Insights into the pathogenesis of primary hyperoxaluria type I from the structural dynamics of alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase variants.

Primary hyperoxaluria type I (PH1) is caused by deficient alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT) activity. PH1-causing mutations in AGT lead to protein mistargeting and aggregation. Here, we use hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) to characterize the wild-type (WT), the LM (a polymorphism frequent in PH1 patients) and the LM G170R (the most common mutation in PH1) variants of AGT. We provide the first experimental analysis of AGT structural dynamics, showing that stability is heterogeneous in the native state and providing a blueprint for frustrated regions with potentially functional relevance. The LM and LM G170R variants only show local destabilization. Enzymatic transamination of the pyridoxal 5-phosphate cofactor bound to AGT hardly affects stability. Our study, thus, supports that AGT misfolding is not caused by dramatic effects on structural dynamics.

Real-World Retrospective Analysis of Alemtuzumab Outcomes in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: The LEMCAM Study.

BACKGROUND: Alemtuzumab is a high-efficacy treatment approved for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Although clinical trials and observational studies are consistent in showing its efficacy and manageable safety profile, further studies under clinical practice conditions are needed to further support its clinical use. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this observational retrospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of alemtuzumab to add to the current real-world evidence on the drug. METHODS: A cohort of 115 adult patients with RRMS treated with alemtuzumab between 2014 and 2020 was retrospectively followed up in five centers in Spain. Analysis included annualized relapse rate (ARR), 6-month confirmed disability worsening (CDW), 6-month confirmed disability improvement (CDI), radiological activity, no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3), and safety signals. Given the different follow-up periods among participants, ARR was calculated using the person-years method. CDI was defined as a ≥ 1.0-point decrease in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score assessed in patients with a baseline EDSS score ≥ 2.0 confirmed 6 months apart. CDW was defined as a ≥ 1.0-point increase in EDSS score assessed in patients with a baseline EDSS score ≥ 1.0 (≥ 1.5 if baseline EDSS = 0), confirmed 6 months apart. RESULTS: ARR decreased from 1.9 (95% confidence interval 1.60-2.33) in the year prior to alemtuzumab initiation to 0.28 (0.17-0.37) after 1 year of treatment (87% reduction), and to 0.22 (0.13-0.35) after the second year. Over the entire follow-up period, ARR was 0.24 (0.18-0.30). At year 1, 75% of patients showed no signs of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity and 70% at year 5. One percent of patients experienced 6-month CDW at year 1, 2.6% at year 2, 7.4% at year 3, and no patients over years 4 and 5. A total of 7.7% of patients achieved 6-month CDI in year 1, 3.6% in year 2, and maintained it at years 3 and 4. Most patients achieved annual NEDA-3: year 1, 72%; year 2, 79%; year 3, 80%; year 4, 89%; year 5, 75%. Infusion-related reactions were observed in 95% of patients and infections in 74%. Thyroid disorders occurred in 30% of patients, and only three patients developed immune thrombocytopenia. No cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that alemtuzumab reduced the relapse rate and disability worsening in real-world clinical practice, with many patients achieving and sustaining NEDA-3 over time. The safety profile of alemtuzumab was consistent with previous findings, and no new or unexpected safety signals were observed. As this was an observational and retrospective study, the main limitation of not having all variables comprehensively available for all patients should be considered when interpreting results.

Passive assessment of tapping speed through smartphone is useful for monitoring multiple sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Continuously acquired smartphone keyboard interactions may be useful to monitor progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to study the correlation between tapping speed (TS), measured as keys/s, and baseline disability scales in patients with MS. METHODS: Single-center prospective study in patients with MS. We passively assessed TS during first week, measured by an "in house" smartphone application. Reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Correlations between median and maximum keys/s of first week of assessment and baseline disability measures were explored. RESULTS: One-hundred three patients were included: 62.1 % women, with a median (IQR) age of 47 (40.4-54.8) years-old and an EDSS score of 3.0 (2.0-4.0). Distribution by MS subtypes was: 77.7 % relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), 17.5 % secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) and 4.9 % primary-progressive MS (PPMS). ICC during first week was 0.714 (p < 0.00001). Both median and maximum keys/s showed a negative correlation with Expanded Disability Status Score, 9-hole peg test and timed 25-foot walk and a positive correlation with Processing Speed Test CogEval® raw and Z-score. Median and maximum keys/s were lower in patients diagnosed with SPMS than in RRMS. Both measures of tapping speed were associated with MS phenotype independently of age. CONCLUSION: TS measured through our application is reliable and correlates with baseline disability scales.

Muerte súbita de jóvenes: rendimiento diagnóstico de un programa autonómico de autopsia molecular con secuenciación masiva / Sudden cardiac death in persons aged 50 years or younger: diagnostic yield of a regional molecular autopsy program using massive sequencing

Introducción y objetivos La muerte súbita (MS) de personas jóvenes suele tener una causa genética, por lo cual la «autopsia molecular» puede tener implicaciones importantes para los familiares. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar el rendimiento diagnóstico de un programa de autopsia molecular mediante secuenciación masiva. Métodos Estudio prospectivo de una cohorte de pacientes consecutivos de edad ≤ 50 años y fallecidos por MS no violenta, a los que se realizó autopsia molecular mediante paneles amplios por secuenciación masiva, con posterior cribado familiar clínico y genético. Se analizan datos demográficos, clínicos, toxicológicos y genéticos. Resultados Se estudiaron 123 casos consecutivos de MS a edades ≤ 50 años. La incidencia de MS fue de 5,8 casos/100.000 individuos/año, a una media de edad de 36,15±12,7 años; 95 (77%) eran varones. La causa fue cardiaca en el 53%; MS inexplicada en el 24%, tóxicos en el 10,6% y MS del lactante en el 4%. De las cardiacas, el 38% por cardiopatía isquémica, el 7% por miocardiopatía arritmogénica, el 5% por miocardiopatía hipertrófica y el 11% por hipertrofia ventricular izquierda idiopática. Se indicó análisis genético en 62 casos (50,4%). Se hallaron variantes genéticas en 42 (67,7%), con una media de 3,4±4 variantes/paciente, que se consideraron patogénicas o probablemente patogénicas en el 30,6%. De las MS inexplicadas, hasta el 70% presentó alguna variante genética. El estudio familiar permitió detectar a 21 portadores o afectos, 5 de ellos estaban en riesgo, por lo que se indicó implante de desfibrilador. Conclusiones El estudio protocolizado y exhaustivo de la MS cardiaca de personas jóvenes es factible y necesario. En un alto porcentaje la causa es genética y, por lo tanto, existen familiares en riesgo que pueden beneficiarse de un diagnóstico y un tratamiento precoces para evitar complicaciones. (AU)

Introduction and objectives Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people often has a genetic cause. Consequently, the results of “molecular autopsy” may have important implications for their relatives. Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of a molecular autopsy program using next-generation sequencing. Methods We performed a prospective study of a cohort of consecutive patients who died from nonviolent SCD, aged ≤ 50 years, and who underwent molecular autopsy using large panels of next-generation sequencing, with subsequent clinical and genetic family screening. We analyzed demographic, clinical, toxicological, and genetic data. Results We studied 123 consecutive cases of SCD in persons aged ≤ 50 years. The incidence of SCD was 5.8 cases/100 000 individuals/y, mean age was 36.15±12.7 years, and 95 were men (77%). The cause was cardiac in 53%, unexplained SCD in 24%, toxic in 10.6%, and infant SCD in 4%. Among cardiac causes, ischemic heart disease accounted for 38% of deaths, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy for 7%, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for 5%, and idiopathic left ventricular hypertrophy for 11%. Genetic analysis was performed in 62 cases (50.4%). Genetic variants were found in 42 cases (67.7%), with a mean of 3.4±4 genetic variants/patient, and the variant found was considered to be pathogenic or probably pathogenic in 30.6%. In unexplained SCD, 70% showed some genetic variant. Family screening diagnosed 21 carriers or affected individuals, 5 of whom were at risk, indicating an implantable cardiac defibrillator. Conclusions Protocol-based and exhaustive study of SCD from cardiac causes in persons aged ≤ 50 years is feasible and necessary. In a high percentage of cases, the cause is genetic, indicating the existence of relatives at risk who could benefit from early diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications. (AU)

Análisis de las modificaciones en el índice de masa corporal en un grupo de pacientes con obesidad y mayores de edad / Analysis of Body Mass Index Changes in a Group of Adult Patients with Obesity / Análise das alterações no índice de massa corporal em uma turma de pacientes com obesidade e idosos

Objetivo: Analizar los cambios en el índice de masa corporal (IMC) en un grupo de pacientes obesos tras una intervención enfermera basada en promover cambios en su estilo de vida, mediante dieta hipocalórica, ejercicio físico y terapia conductual. Método: Estudio cuasi experimental con un muestreo no probabilístico de 32 pacientes cuyos criterios de inclusión fueron pacientes sanos, con autonomía para las actividades de la vida diaria y sin demencia senil. La intervención se fundamentó en una intervención enfermera basada en promover cambios en su estilo de vida y, posteriormente, se evaluó a través del descenso en el IMC. Resultados: El valor medio del IMC basal era de 34,2 al comienzo del estudio. Tras la intervención enfermera existe una progresiva disminución del IMC que fue estadísticamente significativa a los 6 meses de tratamiento, que resultó un valor medio en el IMC de 32,7. Es decir, una reducción del IMC en torno al 4%. Conclusiones: La intervención enfermera personalizada y el seguimiento intensivo favorecen una buena aceptación o adhesión al programa y permiten observar cambios en el estilo de vida de los pacientes imprescindibles para el control de la obesidad.

Objective: To analyze changes in body mass index (BMI) in a group of obese patients after a nurse-based intervention to promote changes in their lifestyle through lowcalorie diet, exercise and behavioral therapy. Method: quasi-experimental study with a non-probabilistic sample of 32 patients whose inclusion criteria were healthy patients, with autonomy for activities of daily living without dementia. The intervention was based on a nurse-based intervention to promote changes in their lifestyle and was subsequently evaluated by the decrease in BMI. Results: The mean value of the BMR was 34, 2 at the beginning of the study. After the nursing intervention there is a progressive decrease in BMI which was statistically significant after 6 months of treatment, which resulted in an mean value of 32,7. That is, a reduction in BMI of around 4%. Conclusions: personalized nursing intervention and intensive follow-up favor good acceptance or accession to the program and allow us to observe changes in the lifestyle of patients which is essential for controlling obesity

Analisar as mudanças no índice de massa corporal (IMC) em uma turma de pacientes obesos após intervenção de enfermagem baseada em promover mudanças no seu estilo de vida, mediante dieta hipocalórica, exercício físico e terapia condutual. Método: Estudo quase-experimental com amostragem não probabilístico de 32 pacientes cujos critérios de inclusão foram pacientes saudáveis, com autonomia para as atividades da vida diária e sem demência senil. A intervenção fundamentou-se em intervenção de enfermagem baseada em promover mudanças no estilo de vida e, posteriormente, foi avaliado através do descenso no IMC. Resultados: O valor médio do IMC basal era de 34,2 no começo do estudo. Após a intervenção de enfermagem há uma progressiva diminuição do IMC estatisticamente significativa aos 6 meses de tratamento, que resultou em um valor médio do IMC de 32,7. Ou seja, uma redução do IMC de cerca de 4%. Conclusões: A intervenção de enfermagem personalizada e seguimento intensivo favorecem uma boa aceitação ou adesão ao programa e permitem observar mudanças no estilo de vida dos pacientes imprescindíveis para o controle da obesidade.

Caracterización citogenética y molecular de una paciente ecuatoriana con cromosoma 4 en anillo: análisis clínico comparativo con 37 casos internacionales / Cytogenetic and molecular characterization of a Ecuadorian patient with ring chromosome 4: comparative clinical analysis with 37 international cases

Los cromosomas en anillo son alteraciones genéticas muy inusuales, consecuencia de deleciones en las regiones terminales y de la unión de los extremos expuestos del cromosoma afectado. En un cromosoma 4 en anillo las regiones que con más frecuencia se afectan son 4p16.3 del brazo corto y 4q35.2 del brazo largo. Sujeto y métodos Se presenta el caso de una paciente con cromosoma 4 en anillo diagnosticado cuando tenía diez días de edad. Al examen clínico presentó dismorfogénesis importante: frente plana, nariz puntiforme, implantación baja de pabellones auriculares, clinodactilia del quinto dedo, microcefalia, micrognatia, un orifcio en la región lumbosacra, estatura baja y retardo mental leve. A los 10 años de edad se le realizó una evaluación citogenética con técnicas más modernas: hibridación in situ fluorescente (FISH) y mapeo genético por arrays de ADN. El fenotipo de la paciente fue comparado con 37 casos reportados en la literatura internacional. Resultados En el análisis clínico de la paciente y los 37 casos internacionales se encontró alrededor de 41 características clínicas diferentes y variables en cada sujeto. Las más frecuentes fueron retraso en el crecimiento (78%), microcefalia (67%), retardo mental (62%), bajo peso al nacer (48%), clinodactilia del quinto dedo (37%), micrognatia (29%), hipertelorismo (21%) y alguna cardiopatía (18%). El estudio citogenético de la paciente a los diez días de edad mostró un cariotipo en mosaico 46,XX/46,XX,r(4) con anillo del cromosoma 4 en el 80% de las metafases. A los diez años de edad se encontró r(4) en el 90% de las células. El análisis por FISH reveló un cariotipo 46,XX,r(4).ish r(4)(p16.3q35.2) (492870-793359-,190183811-190408149-). Los arrays evidenciaron las regiones de pérdida de los brazos cortos y largos del cromosoma 4 involucrados en la formación del anillo. Los genes que con seguridad inciden en el fenotipo de la paciente en estudio son LETM1, WHSC1, WHSC2, MIR943, TACC3, IDUA, C4orf48 para retardo mental; LETM1 y WHSC1 para microcefalia y KIAA1530 para retraso en el crecimiento.

Ring chromosomes are rare chromosomal structure abnormalities; they are formed when a chromosomal deletion leads to the fusion of both ends of the chromosome. The most frequent altered regions in ring chromosome 4 are 4p16.3 in short arm and 4q35.2 in long arm. Subject and methods Here we report a 10 days old female patient whose frst cytogenetic diagnosis showed a ring chromosome 4. Clinical examination showed congenital abnormalities including flattened forehead, prominent nose, low set ears, clinodactyly of the ffth fnger, microcephaly, micrognathia, small sacrococcygeal dimple, short stature and mild mental retardation. At the aged of ten fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and DNA microarrays were performed. Finally, patient phenotype was compared with other 37 cases reported in the literature. Results The clinical analysis between the patient and the 37 cases reported showed about 41 different clinical features that vary between each individual. The most frequent features were growth retardation (78%), microcephaly (67%), mental retardation (62%), short stature at birth (48%), clinodactyly of the ffth fnger (37%), micrognathia (29%), hypertelorism (21%) and some type of cardiopathy (18%). Chromosome analysis of the patient at 10 days old appeared as a chromosomal mosaicism 46,XX/46,XX,r(4), with ring chromosome 4 in 80% of the metaphases analyzed. At 10 years old of the patient it was observed r(4) in 90% of the cells. FISH analysis showed a karyotype 46,XX,r(4).ish r(4)(p16.3q35.2) (492870-793359-,190183811-190408149-). The arrays showed deleted regions at the short and long arms of chromosome 4 involved in the formation of ring chromosome. The genes that are manifested in the patient phenotype are LETM1, WHSC1, WHSC2, MIR943, TACC3, IDUA, C4orf48 for mental retardation; LETM1 y WHSC1 for microcephaly and KIAA1530 for growth retardation.

Lesiones y muerte por balconing en Baleares / Injuries and death by balconing from the Balearic Islands

Introducción. El balconing es un fenómeno relativamente reciente en las Islas Baleares (España), protagonizado típicamente por jóvenes turistas en establecimientos hoteleros, que consiste en pasar de balcón a balcón o en saltar desde el balcón a la piscina, y que se ha asociado al consumo de alcohol o drogas. El objetivo del presente trabajo es describir los casos de lesiones y muerte por supuesto balconing. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de fallecidos y heridos por precipitación que fueron tratados como balconing por los medios de comunicación durante el año 2010 en la isla de Mallorca. Fuentes de información: autopsias del Instituto de Medicina Legal de las Islas Baleares y atestados de la Guardia Civil. Resultados. Se identificaron 11 casos, constituidos por 5 fallecimientos y 6 supervivientes. La mayoría fueron varones (8 casos), de 30 años de edad o menos (8 casos), y de nacionalidad extranjera (10 casos). La etiología medicolegal fue accidental en 8 casos, solo uno de ellos con características propias de balconing, suicida en 2 casos, e indeterminada en uno. Conclusiones. A pesar del impacto mediático del balconing, las precipitaciones en establecimientos turísticos no siempre se corresponden con este fenómeno. Como en otros tipos de lesiones no intencionales, las fuentes medicoforenses pueden aportar una información muy valiosa(AU)

Introduction. Balconing is a relatively recent phenomenon in Balearic Islands (Spain), featuring typically young people in tourist resorts, who jump from balcony to balcony or from the balcony to the swimming pool, under the influence of alcohol or drugs of abuse. This article aims to describe the cases of death or injury attributed to balconing. Material and methods. Descriptive and retrospective study of fatalities and injuries as a result of falls which were presented as balconing events by the media during the year 2010 in the island of Majorca. Information sources: autopsies from the Institute of Legal Medicine of the Balearic Islands and police reports from the Guardia Civil. Results. Eleven cases were identified: 5 were deaths and 6 were survivors. Most of the cases were men (8 cases), aged 30 years or less (8 cases), and foreigners (10 cases). The manner of death or injury was accident for 8 cases, of which only 1 had balconing characteristics, suicide for 2 cases, and undetermined for 1 case. Conclusions. In spite of the media impact of balconing, the falls in tourist resorts do not always fit its definition. As with other non-intentional injuries, clinical forensic medicine or forensic pathology are a valuable source of information(AU)