Variations in the coding and regulatory sequences of the angiogenin (ANG) gene are not associated to ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in the Italian population.

Potentially causative missense variations in the ANG gene and a positive association with the synonymous rs11701-G substitution was detected mainly in Irish and Scottish ALS patients. We screened 262 Italian SOD1 negative ALS patients (250 sporadic) and 415 matched controls for sequence variations in the coding, 3'/5' UTR and 5' flanking (642 bp) regions of the ANG gene. We identified 53 sequence variations of which 46 new, 20 with a minor allele frequency (MAF) >or=0.01 and only three localised in the coding sequence, namely the missense I46V, identified in one patient and two controls, and the synonymous G86G and T97T corresponding to rs11701 and rs2228653. None of the detected SNPs or of their haplotypic combinations was significantly associated with ALS susceptibility or clinical features. In conclusion, we did not detect the association with rs11701-G or with any other newly detected variation in the ANG regulatory region. Furthermore we did not identify potentially causal mutations in the coding region.

Neurocysticercosis and human immunodeficiency virus infection: a case report.

Ecuador is considered a holoendemic high-risk area for the transmission of cysticercosis. Moreover, the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) occurs worldwide. We present a case of simultaneous diagnosis of cysticercosis and HIV infection in a 22-year-old Ecuadorian immigrant. We would postulate that with the increasing HIV incidence in endemic areas of cysticercosis, the simultaneous diagnosis of both diseases is an event to be expected.

SOD1 mutations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Results from a multicenter Italian study.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the most common form among motoneuron diseases, is characterized by a progressive neurodegenerative process involving motor neurons in the motor cortex, brain stem and spinal cord. Sporadic (SALS) accounts for the majority of patients but in about 10% of ALS cases the disease is inherited (FALS), usually as an autosomal dominant trait. In the present study we show the results of a referred based multicenter study on the distribution of SOD1 gene mutations in the largest cohort of Italian ALS patients described so far. Two hundred and sixty-four patients (39 FALS and 225 SALS) of Italian origin were studied. In 7 out of 39 FALS patients we found the following SOD1 gene mutations: i) a new G12R missense mutation in exon 1, found in a patient with a slowly progressive disease course; ii) the G41S mutation, in four unrelated patients with rapidly progressive course complicated with cognitive decline in two of them; iii) the L114F mutation, in a patient with a slowly progressive phenotype; iv) the D90A mutation, in a heterozygous patient with atypical phenotype. In addition, in one SALS patient a previously reported synonymous variant S59S was identified. In 17 (3 FALS and 14 SALS) out of 264 patients (6.4 %) the polymorphism A-->C at position 34 of intron 3 (IVS3: + 34 A-->C) was found, and in one FALS patient a novel variant IVS3 + 62 T-->C was identified. The frequency of SOD1 gene mutations (17.9 %) in FALS cases was comparable with that found in other surveys with a similar sample size of ALS cases. No SOD1 gene mutations have been identified in SALS cases. Within FALS cases, The most frequent mutation was the G41S identified in four FALS.

Home-based palliative approach for people with severe multiple sclerosis and their carers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary evidence suggests that palliative care may be useful for people with severe multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a home-based palliative approach (HPA) for people with severe MS and their carers. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a single-blind randomized controlled trial with a nested qualitative study. Seventy-five severe MS-carer dyads are being randomized (at three centers, one in each area of Italy) to HPA or usual care (UC) in a 2:1 ratio. Each center has a specially trained team consisting of four professionals (physician, nurse, psychologist, social worker). The team makes a comprehensive assessment of the needs of the dyads. HPA content is then agreed on, discussed with the patient's caring physician, and delivered over six months. The intervention is not intended to replace existing services. At later visits, the team checks the HPA delivery and reviews/modifies it as necessary. HPA and UC dyads are assessed at home by a blind examiner at baseline, and three and six months later; they also receive monthly telephone interviews. Dyads assigned to UC receive the examiner's visits and telephone interviews, but not the team visits. Primary outcome measures are changes in symptoms (Palliative care Outcome Scale-Symptoms-MS, POS-S-MS), and quality of life (the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life-Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW), not assessed in patients with severe cognitive compromise) at three and six months. Other outcomes are changes in patient functional status and mood; changes in carer quality of life, mood and caregiving burden; costs; incorporation with standard care; unplanned hospital admissions; referrals to hospice; and deaths. The experience of participants will be evaluated qualitatively by individual semi-structured interviews (HPA patients and carers) and focus group meetings (HPA patients' caring physicians). DISCUSSION: The results of our study will show whether the HPA is feasible and beneficial to people with severe MS and their carers living in the three Italian geographic areas. The nested qualitative study will add to the understanding of the strengths and limitations of the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered with Current Controlled Trials (identifier: ISRCTN73082124) on 19 June 2014.

Lack of association of PON polymorphisms with sporadic ALS in an Italian population.

Paraoxonase (PON) gene polymorphisms have been associated with susceptibility to sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We have investigated the role of the previously associated single nucleotide polymorphisms rs854560, rs662, and rs6954345 in 350 ALS patients and 376 matched controls from Italy. No significant association was observed at genotype and haplotype level. Our data suggest that PON polymorphisms are not involved in ALS pathogenesis in an Italian population.