Lesion genesis in a subset of patients with multiple sclerosis: a role for innate immunity? innate - existing in one from birth
Summaries of all the latest research findings on MS selected by a team based at the Institute of Neurology, London.
Migration and multiple sclerosis: The French West Indies experience
This study investigates the incidence of MS in the French west Indies, which has seen a dramatic rise in the condition since large numbers of its population returned from living in France. The authors postulate reduced exposure to sunlight and intestinal parasites as possible reasons.
authors: Cabre P.
source: J Neurol Sci. 2007 Nov 15;262(1-2):117-21. Epub 2007 Jul 24.
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Lesion genesis in a subset of patients with multiple sclerosis: a role for innate immunity?
innate - existing in one from birth
This post-mortem study comparing human brain lesions to those in a rat model of MS, found that innate immune cells are active early on in lesion development, before infiltration of the lesion by T-cells (part of the cell-mediated immune process).
authors: Marik C, Felts PA, Bauer J, Lassmann H, Smith KJ.
source: Brain. 2007 Nov;130(Pt 11):2800-15. Links
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Persistent activation of microglia is associated with neuronal dysfunction of callosal projecting pathways and multiple sclerosis-like lesions in relapsing--remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
This study in a mouse model of MS again demonstrates the role of the innate immune cells, this time in grey matter lesions, which have been linked to clinical progression in MS. The study suggests that microglial activation persists through the chronic disease phase, while peak T cell responses are known to be associated with acute inflammation.
authors: Rasmussen S, Wang Y, Kivisäkk P, Bronson RT, Meyer M, Imitola J, Khoury SJ.
source: Brain. 2007 Nov;130(Pt 11):2816-29. Epub 2007 Sep 22.
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Mitoxantrone treatment in multiple sclerosis: a 5-year clinical and MRI follow-up
In this study of 50 patients with severe RRMS treated with mitoxantrone, one third of patients continued to progress during treatment, although during the follow-up period this number decreased. The patients progressed despite there being no active lesions on their MRI scans. Ten per cent of patients withdrew from treatment due to side effects.
authors: Buttinelli C, Clemenzi A, Borriello G, Denaro F, Pozzilli C, Fieschi C.
source: Eur J Neurol. 2007 Nov;14(11):1281-1287.Links
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No boundaries on angerChicago Sun-Times Tue, 30 Oct 2007 2:22 AM PDT
Dear Fixer: On Sept. 26, 2006, I purchased a mobility scooter for my wife because she has
multiple sclerosis. The scooter worked fine until July of this year, when it broke down. The FixerNo boundaries on anger
No boundaries on anger
THE FIXER
ON HEALTH | Company that sold scooter has gone out of business -- but their Web site is still up
October 30, 2007
STEPHANIE ZIMMERMANN szimmermann@suntimes.com
Dear Fixer: On Sept. 26, 2006, I purchased a mobility scooter for my wife because she has multiple sclerosis. The scooter worked fine until July of this year, when it broke down.
I contacted No Boundaries Mobility, the seller, since it still was under warranty. They told us to get it fixed, but no one can fix it in our area. We called back but the phone to their office just keeps ringing.
We don't know what to do.
Lenny Heider, Carol Stream
Dear Lenny: We wish we had better news for you, but you may be out of luck -- and out the $2,100 you spent on the scooter. After many frustrating phone calls and database searches, The Fixer tracked down Norman Stein, president of No Boundaries Mobility, who said the company had gone out of business. (Curiously, their Web site is still up -- so customers beware.)
Stein referred us to a guy named Moshe at the Israel-based manufacturer, Tzora Active Systems Ltd.
Moshe, of course, does not return e-mails.
Meanwhile, the Better Business Bureau gives No Boundaries an "F" rating, due to consumers' complaints about defective scooters, difficulties in contacting the company for service and similar problems.
The Fixer is beginning to think there is no boundary on these folks' poor business practices. Sorry -- we wish we had better news.
Getting the runaround over a consumer problem? Tell it to The Fixer at www.suntimes.com. The Fixer on Health deals with medical-consumer issues, not health advice or diagnostical problems
http://www.suntimes.com/news/zimmermann/626295,CST-NWS-FIXER30.article\
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Sangamo shares leap on stem cell tech advance - FierceBiotech - Biotechnology Articles, Biotech Industry News, FDA Approval News
Sangamo shares leap on stem cell tech advance
October 30, 2007
http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/sangamo-shares-leap-stem-cell-tech-advance/2007-10-30
Shares of Sangamo BioSciences leapt more than 12 percent--to a 52-week high--after researchers published a new study in Nature Biotechnology indicating that its technology could be used to modify the genomes in stem cells. The science could be used to create stem cell lines that mimic disease, a big advance in medical research. Stem cells could also be modified in order to treat disease.
"This is a significant advance for both research and the potential therapeutic use of stem cells," stated Dr. Naldini, a senior author of the study. "Stem cells are the body's natural resource for regeneration and repair and the ability to efficiently add a therapeutic gene into the genome of a cell at a predetermined location or to correct a mutated gene in a patient's stem cells may enable us to provide a long term solution for many genetic diseases."
- see Sangamo's release
- check out the AFX report
Related Articles:
Senate renews battle over stem cell funding. Report
Scientists reprogram mature cells to act embryonic. Report
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Summaries of MS news from websites around the world.
New Zealand: 40 years of MSSNZ
While MSIF was celebrating its 40th anniversary in Prague, in New Zealand that same week, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Zealand (MSSNZ) was marking its own important 40th anniversary milestone.
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France: 2008 €100,000 Scientific Award for MS research from Institut de France
La Fondation NRJ was created in May 1999 to promote medical research, particularly in the neurosciences.
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India: MSSI’s Diwali celebrations
On 27 October MSSI (Multiple Sclerosis Society of India) participated in the Diwali Mela at the Italian Embassy, Chanakyapuri. The Mela was a huge success and the MSSI stall sold many lovely things made and contributed by its members Parul, Uma Bhatia, Rani, Anjum, Renuka and Nina, building great awareness for the cause.
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