Astrocyte-T cell crosstalk regulates region-specific neuroinflammation

During multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS), symptoms, and outcomes are determined by the location of inflammatory lesions. While we and others have shown that T cell cytokines differentially regulate leukocyte entry into perivascular spaces and regional parenchymal localization in murine models of MS, the molecular mechanisms of this latter process are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that astrocytes exhibit region-specific responses to T cell cytokines that promote hindbrain versus spinal cord neuroinflammation. Analysis of cytokine receptor expression in human astrocytes showed region-specific responsiveness to Th1 and Th17 inflammatory cytokines. Consistent with this, human and murine astrocytes treated with these cytokines exhibit differential expression of the T cell localizing molecules VCAM-1 and CXCR7 that is both cytokine and CNS region-specific. Using in vivo models of spinal cord versus brain stem trafficking of myelin-specific T cells and astrocyte-specific deletion strategies, we confirmed that Th1 and Th17 cytokines differentially regulate astrocyte expression of VCAM-1 and CXCR7 in these locations. Finally, stereotaxic injection of individual cytokines into the hindbrain or spinal cord revealed region- and cytokine-specific modulation of localizing cue expression by astrocytes. These findings identify a role for inflammatory cytokines in mediating local astrocyte-dependent mechanisms of immune cell trafficking within the CNS during neuroinflammation.     

The effects of gluteus muscle strengthening exercise and lumbar stabilization exercise on lumbar muscle strength and balance in chronic low back pain patients

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effects of exercise to strengthen the muscles of the hip together with lumbar segmental stabilization exercise on the lumbar disability index, lumbar muscle strength, and balance. [Subjects and Methods] This study randomly and equally assigned 40 participants who provided written consent to participate in this study to a lumbar segmental stabilization exercise plus exercise to strengthen the muscles of the gluteus group (SMG + LES group) and a lumbar segmental stabilization exercise group. [Results] Each evaluation item showed a statistically significant effect. [Conclusion] Clinical application of exercise in this study showed that lumbar segmental stabilization exercise plus exercise to strengthen the muscles of the gluteus resulted in a greater decrease in low back pain disability index and increase in lumbar muscle strength and balance ability than lumbar segmental stabilization exercise in chronic low back pain patients receiving the exercise treatments during the same period.     

Intraocular lens explantation in Spain: indications and outcomes at a tertiary referral center from 2010 to 2018

International Ophthalmology - To evaluate the causes of IOL explantation, techniques for secondary IOL implantation, visual outcomes and complications. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology Complexo...     

Selective reminding of prospective memory in Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with prospective memory (PM) deficits, which may increase the risk of poor functional/health outcomes such as medication non-adherence. This study examined the potential benefits of selective reminding to enhance PM functioning in persons with MS.

Method: Twenty-one participants with MS and 22 healthy adults (HA) underwent a neuropsychological battery including a Selective Reminding PM (SRPM) experimental procedure. Participants were randomly assigned to either: (1) a selective reminding condition in which participants learn (to criterion) eight prospective memory tasks in a Selective Reminding format; or (2) a single trial encoding condition (1T).

Results: A significant interaction was demonstrated, with MS participants receiving greater benefit than HAs from the SR procedure in terms of PM performance. Across diagnostic groups, participants in the SR conditions (vs. 1T conditions) demonstrated significantly better PM performance. Individuals with MS were impaired relative to HAs in the 1T condition, but performance was statistically comparable in the SR condition.

Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that selective reminding can be used to enhance PM cue detection and retrieval in MS. The extent to which selective reminding of PM is effective in naturalistic settings and for health-related behaviours in MS remains to be determined.     

Poor Treatment Outcomes Following Repositioning Maneuvers in Younger and Older Adults With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective

This systematic review aimed to methodically review the available evidence on poor treatment outcomes after repositioning maneuver treatments in adults with BPPV and whether there are differences in the outcomes for older and younger adults.