Antimyelin antibodies as predictors of disability after clinically isolated syndrome

There is controversy whether determination of antibodies against myelin, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, and myelin basic protein in serum from patients with a first episode suggestive of multiple sclerosis is of prognostic value. We evaluated whether detection of antimyelin antibodies in serum indicates a worse course with earlier time to a second relapse and increased progression of disability. We conducted a prospective study at the Department of Neurology, Inselspital Bern, Switzerland from 2004 to 2008 in patients presenting with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) and a follow-up of at least 4 months. Antimyelin antibodies were assessed by Western blot. Results were correlated with clinical course and sex. Among 93 consecutive patients with a CIS, 74 (80%) were positive for either one or both antimyelin antibodies. A relapse occurred in 49 (53%) and the median EDSS was 2 (range 1-3.5) after a mean observation period of 20 months. Presence of antimyelin antibodies at CIS neither increased the risk for a second relapse nor for progression of disability. Stratification for gender did not reveal differences for any of the clinical surrogates. The sole determination of antimyelin antibodies in serum is of limited prognostic value for the identification of patients with different short-term course.

Catastrophic Ice Shelf Breakup as the Source of Heinrich Event Icebergs

Heinrich layers of the glacial North Atlantic record abrupt widespread iceberg rafting of detrital carbonate and other lithic material at the extreme-cold culminations of Bond climate cycles. Both internal (glaciologic) and external ( climate) forcings have been proposed. Here we suggest an explanation for the iceberg release that encompasses external climate forcing on the basis of a new glaciological process recently witnessed along the Antarctic Peninsula: rapid disintegrations of fringing ice shelves induced by climate-controlled meltwater infilling of surface crevasses. We postulate that peripheral ice shelves, formed along the eastern Canadian seaboard during extreme cold conditions, would be vulnerable to sudden climate-driven disintegration during any climate amelioration. Ice shelf disintegration then would be the source of Heinrich event icebergs.

Wie kam die „Urlinie“ in den „Urtext“? Aporien musikalischer Schrift im Denken Heinrich Schenkers

Heinrich Schenker (1868-1935) hat als Musiktheoretiker einen zentralen Beitrag zum Verständnis musikalischer Prozesse geleistet. Dieser wurde als Theorie der Urlinie zur wichtigsten musikanalytischen Grundlage von Musikwissenschaftlern der USA. Gleichzeitig lenkte er die Aufmerksamkeit auf die Bedeutung von Autographen im editorischen Zusammenhang. Damit konnte die Bewegung des "Urtextes" im Kontext der Editorik von einer theoretisch fundierten Diskussion über die Analyse von Musikautographen. Der Artikel diskutiert die Beziehung zwischen Urtext und Urtlinie.

Ein Wort an den Herrn Professor Heinrich von Treitschke

von J. Glück