A neuroprotective effect of fingolimod in vivo may result from its inhibitory action on key astrocyte activation steps.

We suggest, for the first time, inflammatory involvement of brain structures following ocular surface damage. Our findings support the hypothesis that the neuropeptide Substance P may be involved in the propagation of inflammation from the cornea to the TG through corneal nerves.

The name 'Mycobacterium alsiense', although reported in 2007, has not been validly published. Polyphasic characterization of three available strains of this species led us to the conclusion that they represent a distinct species within the genus Mycobacterium. The proposed novel species grows slowly and presents pale yellow-pigmented colonies. Differentiation from other mycobacteria is not feasible on the basis of biochemical and cultural features alone while genetic analysis, extended to eight housekeeping genes and one spacer region, reveals its clear distinction from all other mycobacteria. Mycobacterium asiaticum is the most closely related species on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences (similarity 99.3 %); the average nucleotide identity between the genomes of the two species is 80.72 %, clearly below the suggested cut-off (95-96 %). The name Mycobacterium alsense sp. nov. is proposed here for the novel species and replaces the name 'M. alsiense ', ex Richter et al. 2007, given at the time of isolation of the first strain. The type strain is TB 1906 T (5DSM 45230 T 5CCUG 56586 T ).

Mycobacterium angelicum sp. nov., a non-chromogenic, slow-growing species isolated from fish and related to Mycobacterium szulgai The name 'Mycobacterium angelicum' dates back to 2003 when it was suggested for a slowly growing mycobacterium isolated from freshwater angelfish. This name is revived here and the novel species is proposed on the basis of the polyphasic characterization of four strains including the original one. The four strains presented 100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Mycobacterium szulgai but clearly differed from M. szulgai for the milky white aspect of the colonies. The sequence similarity with the type strain of M. szulgai ranged, in eight additionally investigated genetic targets, from 78.9 to 94.3 %, an evident contrast with the close relatedness that emerged at the level of 16S rRNA gene. The average nucleotide identity between the genomes of M. szulgai DSM 44166 T and strain 126/5/03 T (type strain of the novel species) was 92.92 %, and supported the status of independent species. The confirmation of the name Mycobacterium angelicum sp. nov. is proposed, with strain 126/5/03 T (5CIP 109313 T 5DSM 45057 T ) as the type strain.A close connection exists between mycobacteria and water, both fresh and salt, and this makes infection of aquatic animals quite common. In addition to Mycobacterium marinum, the best-known fish and zoonotic pathogen, a number of other species of the genus Mycobacterium have been reported which are epidemiologically linked to fish (Gauthier & Rhodes, 2009) The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession numbers for the 16S rRNA gene, hsp65, rpoB, sodA, gyrB, dnaK, secA1, rpoBC and ITS1 seq-uences of strain 126/5/03 T