Remyelination promoting therapies in multiple sclerosis animal models: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

An unmet but urgent medical need is the development of myelin repair promoting therapies for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Many such therapies have been pre-clinically tested using different models of toxic demyelination such as cuprizone, ethidium bromide, or lysolecithin and some of the therapies already entered clinical trials. However, keeping track on all these possible new therapies and their efficacy has become difficult with the increasing number of studies. In this study, we aimed at summarizing the current evidence on such therapies through a systematic review and at providing an estimate of the effects of tested interventions by a meta-analysis. We show that 88 different therapies have been pre-clinically tested for remyelination. 25 of them (28%) entered clinical trials. Our meta-analysis also identifies 16 promising therapies which did not enter a clinical trial for MS so far, among them Pigment epithelium-derived factor, Plateled derived growth factor, and Tocopherol derivate TFA-12.We also show that failure in bench to bedside translation from certain therapies may in part be attributable to poor study quality. By addressing these problems, clinical translation might be smoother and possibly animal numbers could be reduced.

Dialysis-related amyloidosis revisited.

OBJECTIVE: Dialysis-related amyloidosis occurs secondarily to the deposition of beta(2)-microglobulin. Dialysis-related amyloidosis predominantly involves the osteoarticular system and is clinically manifested by erosive and destructive osteoarthropathies, destructive spondyloarthropathy, and carpal tunnel syndrome. This article illustrates the radiographic, sonographic, CT, and MRI findings of dialysis-related amyloid arthropathies. CONCLUSION: Dialysis-related amyloidosis is characterized by various imaging appearances. In evaluating amyloidosis, MRI provides considerably more information than that obtained from conventional radiographic, CT, and sonographic studies.

Serial CT volume and thrombus length measurements after endovascular repair of Stanford type B aortic dissection.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of stent-graft placement in Stanford type B aortic dissection using contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomographic (CT) measurements of true and false lumen volumes and thrombus length. METHODS: Among 18 consecutive patients (13 men; mean age 60 years, range 44-79) who underwent endovascular repair of Stanford type B dissection, 12 completed at least a 12-month follow-up, which included CT measurements of true and false lumen volumes and thrombus lengths prior to discharge and at 6 and 12 months postimplantation. Volumes were assessed in 3 different aortic segments (A1, A2, A3) extending from the proximal attachment site of the prosthesis to the aortic bifurcation. In addition, thrombus length was measured to evaluate the influence of clot formation on outcome of the false lumen volume. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 27 months (range 12-60). Within 12 months, mean true lumen volumes showed statistically significant increases in the A1 (p<0.001) and A2 (p=0.003) segments; false lumen volumes showed a significant decrease in the A1 segment (p=0.002) but an insignificant increase in the A2 segment. No substantial volume changes were observed in the A3 segment. Extension of clot formation in the false lumen varied among patients and over time. Length of stent-grafts, percentage of stented dissection length, or visceral arteries originating from the false lumen did not significantly influence thrombus development, nor did these parameters or thrombus formation distal to the prosthesis have a relationship to false lumen volumes. CONCLUSIONS: Volumetric analysis after endovascular repair of Stanford type B dissection shows optimal technical outcome in the stented segment, whereas the false lumen in the segment immediately adjacent to the stent-graft seems to be a vulnerable area. Extension of clot formation beyond the endograft seems to be no reliable predictor of outcome.

Emergency endovascular treatment of traumatic aortic arch rupture with multiple arch vessel involvement.

PURPOSE: To report successful endovascular stent-graft placement for emergency treatment of a complex traumatic injury involving the aortic arch and multiple arch vessels. CASE REPORT: An 81-year-old man underwent stent-graft placement for a complex traumatic vascular injury. Computed tomography on admission documented a dissection along the course of the aortic arch, intramural hematoma along the ascending aorta, dissection of the innominate artery, and a right subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm. The dissection of the aortic arch and the pseudoaneurysm of the right subclavian artery were treated immediately, the dissection of the innominate artery 7 days later. The patient did not develop any complications. Follow-up studies performed prior to discharge and at 6 and 12 months after the interventions showed successful repair of the complex vascular injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic injury of the aortic arch with multiple arch vessel involvement can be treated effectively by means of stent-graft placement.