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In a message dated 01/28/2004 8:42:48 AM Eastern Standard Time, jayneadler@... writes:

WORLD OF MS UPDATE SERVICE, 27 January 2004Research News====================Immunomodulation by the copolymer glatiramer acetate.--------------------This review article discusses the mechanism of action of glatiramer acetate.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10971Role of lipid interactions in autoimmune demyelination.--------------------Loss of adhesion between myelin layers and the formation of myelin vesicles may be part of the mechanism of demyelination in MS. This paper describes experiments that suggest that lipids, as well as proteins, contribute to myelin stability. It is proposed that immune mediated changes to the composition of myelin lipids increase the likelihood of demyelination.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10972Serial MRI in multiple sclerosis: a prospective pilot study of lesion load, whole brain volume and thalamic atrophy--------------------A serial MRI study finds no association between cerebral atrophy and a measure of disability in 11 patients affected by MS over three years.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10973Signaling through JAK2-STAT5 pathway is essential for IL-3-induced activation of microglia--------------------This paper describes experiments that support a critical role for the JAK2-STAT5 intracellular pathway in the activation of microglia, the cells which mediate immune and inflammatory responses in the central nervous system.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10974CNS axons retain their competence for myelination throughout life--------------------Chronically demyelinated axons might still be able to be remyelinated according to the authors of this study which examined myelination in a rat model using transplanted oligodendrocyte precursor cells. The extent of myelination was found to be the same irrespective of whether old or young animals were used as recipients.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10975Skin cancer in people with multiple sclerosis: a record linkage study--------------------This study uses the incidence of skin cancer as a measure of a population?s sun exposure to explore the hypothesis that solar exposure has a protective influence on the development of MS. The finding that skin cancer is significantly less common in people with MS, and that there is no equivalent deficit of skin cancer in people with other neurological or autoimmune diseases supports this hypothesis.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10976Do hyporesponsive genetic variants of the melanocortin 1 receptor contribute to the etiology of multiple sclerosis?--------------------Genetic variants of the melanocortin 1 receptor are responsible for pigmentary phenotypes, for example light skin, that are common in populations that have high rates of MS. This receptor is also found on various cells involved in the immune response and hormones which stimulate this receptor are known to influence the immune response. The author speculates whether these variants could form part of the spectrum of genes involved in the aetiology of MS.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10977Theiler's Virus Infection: a Model for Multiple Sclerosis--------------------A review article discussing similarities between the demyelinating illness caused by infection with Theiler?s virus in mice and MS in humans.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10978Neutralising antibodies against interferon beta in multiple sclerosis - a series of letters--------------------Correspondence resulting from a recent article discussing the clinical relevance of anti-interferon antibodies in MS will be found in this issue of The Lancet.***Subscription is required to read these letters***http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10979Health care communication issues in multiple sclerosis: an interpretive description--------------------The results of in-depth interview and focus group work looking at disease experience in 12 persons with longstanding MS are described in this paper. Patient accounts were analysed to try and identify communications that were perceived as being either helpful or unhelpful to living well with the disease.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10980two-stage study on multiple sclerosis susceptibility and chromosome 2q33--------------------A study examining the association between chromosome 2q33 with multiple sclerosis (MS). Preliminary evidence for two distinct MS susceptibility genes on 2q33 outside of CTLA4 is reported.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10981What makes it so hard? Barriers to health promotion experienced by people with multiple sclerosis and polio--------------------A study looking at barriers to health promotion in patients affected by MS and patients affected by polio. Fatigue and impairment are the most frequently reported problems and for all groups financial and interpersonal resources contributed significantly to the prediction of barriers, after accounting for perceived impairment.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10982The Effects of Interferon-alpha2a on Concentrations of Immunoglobulins, Complement and Lymphocytes in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis--------------------The effects of interferon-alpha2a (IFNA) on immunoglobulin, complement and lymphocytes are investigated in 24 patients with MS treated at two doses and compared to a placebo group. It is found that IFNA modulates and activates the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10983Cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis : do they have a therapeutic role?--------------------A review article discussing the potential role for cannabinoids in MS treatment looking critically at the evidence from existing studies.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10984----------------------------------------Thank you for using the World of MS update service that is provided by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF).MSIF presents, in this user friendly format, the latest MS research findings published within medical and scientific journals. However MSIF is not able to validate or be held responsible for this research, nor can MSIF comment on its accuracy or relevance.This 'Research News' section on the World of MS website is generously funded by the UK MS Society and is compiled with the support of the Institute of Neurology, University College, London, UK.*Please do not reply to this email*If you have any queries about the site or the Update Service please contact us at info@...

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From: mailer@...

Sent: Jan 27, 2004 12:05 PM

jayneadler@...

Subject: World of MS Update Service

Dear Jayne,

WORLD OF MS UPDATE SERVICE, 27 January 2004

Research News

====================

Immunomodulation by the copolymer glatiramer acetate.

--------------------

This review article discusses the mechanism of action of glatiramer acetate.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10971

Role of lipid interactions in autoimmune demyelination.

--------------------

Loss of adhesion between myelin layers and the formation of myelin vesicles

may be part of the mechanism of demyelination in MS. This paper describes

experiments that suggest that lipids, as well as proteins, contribute to

myelin stability. It is proposed that immune mediated changes to the

composition of myelin lipids increase the likelihood of demyelination.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10972

Serial MRI in multiple sclerosis: a prospective pilot study of lesion load,

whole brain volume and thalamic atrophy

--------------------

A serial MRI study finds no association between cerebral atrophy and a

measure of disability in 11 patients affected by MS over three years.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10973

Signaling through JAK2-STAT5 pathway is essential for IL-3-induced

activation of microglia

--------------------

This paper describes experiments that support a critical role for the

JAK2-STAT5 intracellular pathway in the activation of microglia, the cells

which mediate immune and inflammatory responses in the central nervous

system.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10974

CNS axons retain their competence for myelination throughout life

--------------------

Chronically demyelinated axons might still be able to be remyelinated

according to the authors of this study which examined myelination in a rat

model using transplanted oligodendrocyte precursor cells. The extent of

myelination was found to be the same irrespective of whether old or young

animals were used as recipients.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10975

Skin cancer in people with multiple sclerosis: a record linkage study

--------------------

This study uses the incidence of skin cancer as a measure of a population?s

sun exposure to explore the hypothesis that solar exposure has a protective

influence on the development of MS. The finding that skin cancer is

significantly less common in people with MS, and that there is no

equivalent deficit of skin cancer in people with other neurological or

autoimmune diseases supports this hypothesis.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10976

Do hyporesponsive genetic variants of the melanocortin 1 receptor

contribute to the etiology of multiple sclerosis?

--------------------

Genetic variants of the melanocortin 1 receptor are responsible for

pigmentary phenotypes, for example light skin, that are common in

populations that have high rates of MS. This receptor is also found on

various cells involved in the immune response and hormones which stimulate

this receptor are known to influence the immune response. The author

speculates whether these variants could form part of the spectrum of genes

involved in the aetiology of MS.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10977

Theiler's Virus Infection: a Model for Multiple Sclerosis

--------------------

A review article discussing similarities between the demyelinating illness

caused by infection with Theiler?s virus in mice and MS in humans.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10978

Neutralising antibodies against interferon beta in multiple sclerosis - a

series of letters

--------------------

Correspondence resulting from a recent article discussing the clinical

relevance of anti-interferon antibodies in MS will be found in this issue

of The Lancet.***Subscription is required to read these letters***

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10979

Health care communication issues in multiple sclerosis: an interpretive

description

--------------------

The results of in-depth interview and focus group work looking at disease

experience in 12 persons with longstanding MS are described in this paper.

Patient accounts were analysed to try and identify communications that were

perceived as being either helpful or unhelpful to living well with the

disease.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10980

two-stage study on multiple sclerosis susceptibility and chromosome 2q33

--------------------

A study examining the association between chromosome 2q33 with multiple

sclerosis (MS). Preliminary evidence for two distinct MS susceptibility

genes on 2q33 outside of CTLA4 is reported.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10981

What makes it so hard? Barriers to health promotion experienced by people

with multiple sclerosis and polio

--------------------

A study looking at barriers to health promotion in patients affected by MS

and patients affected by polio. Fatigue and impairment are the most

frequently reported problems and for all groups financial and interpersonal

resources contributed significantly to the prediction of barriers, after

accounting for perceived impairment.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10982

The Effects of Interferon-alpha2a on Concentrations of Immunoglobulins,

Complement and Lymphocytes in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

--------------------

The effects of interferon-alpha2a (IFNA) on immunoglobulin, complement and

lymphocytes are investigated in 24 patients with MS treated at two doses

and compared to a placebo group. It is found that IFNA modulates and

activates the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10983

Cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis : do they have a therapeutic role?

--------------------

A review article discussing the potential role for cannabinoids in MS

treatment looking critically at the evidence from existing studies.

http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=10984

----------------------------------------

Thank you for using the World of MS update service that is provided by the

Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF).

MSIF presents, in this user friendly format, the latest MS research

findings published within medical and scientific journals. However MSIF is

not able to validate or be held responsible for this research, nor can MSIF

comment on its accuracy or relevance.

This 'Research News' section on the World of MS website is generously

funded by the UK MS Society and is compiled with the support of the

Institute of Neurology, University College, London, UK.

*Please do not reply to this email*

If you have any queries about the site or the Update Service please contact

us at info@...

To unsubscribe or edit your profile/details/subscription please go to:

http://www.msif.org/applications/people_profiles/

A support group for people with ms & their friends & relations. We try & keep

informed of developments in ms research & stay abreast of legislative issues

that may effect us.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 02/25/2004 6:38:26 AM Eastern Standard Time, jayneadler@... writes:

Research News====================Therapy related acute myeloblastic leukaemia after mitoxantrone treatment in a patient with multiple sclerosis.--------------------In this letter to the Editor, the authors report a new case of acute myeloblastic leukaemia in a cohort of 225 patients with MS treated with mitoxantrone, and summarize the previously reported cases.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=11039A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of I.V. immune globulins in combination with I.V. methylprednisolone in the treatment of relapses in patients with MS.--------------------The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the combination of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) and intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) with the standard treatment of IVMP alone in promoting recovery from moderate to severe acute relapses in MS. Results showed no superiority of IVMP-IVIg.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=11040No evidence for genetic linkage between development of multiple sclerosis and components of the IFN system and the JAK-STAT pathway.--------------------There was no evidence for linkage between MS and polymorphic loci in or close to the IFN gamma, IFN gamma receptor, IFN alpha/beta receptor, JAK 1, STAT 1 and STAT 3 genes in 27 Swedish families with at least two members having MS.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=11041Scleromyxedema in a patient with multiple sclerosis and monoclonal gammopathy on interferon beta-1a.--------------------This is the first report of occurrence of scleromyxedema in a patient with MS on IFN beta-1a. While this could be a chance association, it does raise the question if patient?s neurologic manifestations could be secondary to scleromyxedema.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=11042Peer support groups in multiple sclerosis: current effectiveness and future directions.--------------------The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of eight weeks of a standard form of peer support in improving quality of life and reducing depressive symptoms in 44 patients with MS. Results showed that support groups do not provide consistent improvement in quality of life or depression.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=11043Analyses of nursing home residents with multiple sclerosis at admission and one year after admission.--------------------One year after admission at the nursing facility, residents with MS showed deterioration in cognitive performance, communication skills, motor performance and bladder/bowel continence, but improvement in development of urinary tract infections and pressure ulcers.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=11044Cognitive strategies application of multiple sclerosis patients.--------------------When performing a novel task, people need to apply a working strategy. This study indicates that 76% of patients with MS have impaired strategy application abilities, as measured by the Strategy Application Test.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=11045Self-efficacy predicts self-reported health status in multiple sclerosis.--------------------This study suggests that self-efficacy (which is a belief that one can competently cope with a challenging situation) predicts improvement in health status. Therefore, self-efficacy is an important domain to measure and manage actively in education and rehabilitation programs.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=11046The patient's perception of a (reliable) change in the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite.--------------------The authors characterized the relationship between two-year changes in functional impairment (as measured by the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC)) and changes in patient perceived disability (as measured by the Guy's Neurological Disability Scale) in 108 patients with MS. Results showed that a reliable change is associated with a likewise change in patient perceived disability (the smallest reliable change being identified by at least 20% change in each MSFC component).http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=11047A systematic approach to analyse health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis: the GEDMA study.--------------------The analysis of 371 patients with MS recruited from 13 hospitals in Madrid provides valuable information that helps to clarify the impact of MS on patients' perceptions of health-related quality of life. For example, friendship and family relationships and occupational status were found in this study to be the most significant dimensions influenced by MS.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=11048Cytosolic Phospholipase A(2) Plays a Key Role in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis-like Disease.--------------------This paper provides evidence that the enzyme cytosolic phospholipase A(2) is highly expressed in EAE (Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis) lesions and shows that blocking this enzyme leads to a remarkable reduction in the onset and progression of EAE.http://www.msif.org/go.rm?id=11049----------------------------------------Thank you for using the World of MS update service that is provided by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF).MSIF presents, in this user friendly format, the latest MS research findings published within medical and scientific journals. However MSIF is not able to validate or be held responsible for this research, nor can MSIF comment on its accuracy or relevance.This 'Research News' section on the World of MS website is generously funded by the UK MS Society and is compiled with the support of the Institute of Neurology, University College, London, UK.*Please do not reply to this email*If you have any queries about the site or the Update Service please contact us at info@...To unsubscribe or edit your profile/details/subscription please go to:http://www.msif.org/applications/people_profiles/ A support group for people with ms & their friends & relations. We try & keep informed of developments in ms research & stay abreast of legislative issues that may effect us.