RESUMEN
A 31-year-old Japanese man presented with cerebral and pulmonary cryptococcosis. Cryptococcus gattii (C. gattii) genotype VGIIb was detected in the patient's sputum and cerebrospinal fluid specimens. The serum levels of anti-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) antibodies were elevated in this patient, which has been associated with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and is considered a risk factor for C. gattii infection. After undergoing >12 months of antifungal treatments, the patient showed improvements in symptoms and findings on brain and lung imaging. Several Japanese patients who develop C. gattii infection have also been reported; however, most of these patients have been infected outside Japan, as C. gattii infection is rare in Japan. Only one patient with C. gattii genotype VGIIb infection has been reported in Japan, and it is believed that this patient contracted the infection in China. In the present case, our patient has never been outside Japan, indicating that the infection originated in Japan. Our findings suggest that C. gattii might be spreading in Japan. Therefore, patients with positive serum anti-GM-CSF antibodies should be thoroughly monitored for C. gattii infection, even those living in Japan.
Asunto(s)
Criptococosis , Cryptococcus gattii , Genotipo , Factor Estimulante de Colonias de Granulocitos y Macrófagos , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto , Factor Estimulante de Colonias de Granulocitos y Macrófagos/inmunología , Cryptococcus gattii/genética , Cryptococcus gattii/inmunología , Cryptococcus gattii/aislamiento & purificación , Criptococosis/microbiología , Criptococosis/inmunología , Criptococosis/diagnóstico , Criptococosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Criptococosis/sangre , Japón , Antifúngicos/uso terapéutico , Enfermedades Pulmonares Fúngicas/microbiología , Enfermedades Pulmonares Fúngicas/inmunología , Enfermedades Pulmonares Fúngicas/diagnóstico , Pueblos del Este de AsiaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: No studies have assessed the independent association of methionine homozygosity at codon 129 with the susceptibility to prion diseases, controlling for the effects of the codon 219 polymorphisms and other potential confounders, using a large-scale population-based dataset. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study using a Japanese nationwide surveillance database for prion diseases. The main exposure was methionine homozygosity at codon 129, and the outcome was development of prion diseases. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed for specific disease subtypes (sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), genetic CJD and Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease (GSS)). RESULTS: Of 5461 patients registered in the database, 2440 cases and 796 controls remained for the analysis. The cases comprised 1676 patients with sporadic CJD (69%), 649 with genetic CJD (27%) and 115 with GSS (5%). For patients with methionine homozygosity, potential risk for occurring prion diseases: adjusted OR (95% CI) was 2.21 (1.46 to 3.34) in sporadic CJD, 0.47 (0.32 to 0.68) in genetic CJD and 0.3 (0.17 to 0.55) in GSS. Among patients with specific prion protein abnormalities, the potential risk was 0.27 (0.17 to 0.41) in genetic CJD with 180 Val/Ile, 1.66 (0.65 to 5.58) in genetic CJD with 200 Glu/Lys, 3.97 (1.2 to 24.62) in genetic CJD with 232 Met/Arg and 0.71 (0.34 to 1.67) in GSS with 102 Pro/Leu. CONCLUSIONS: Methionine homozygosity at codon 129 was predisposing to sporadic CJD, but protective against genetic CJD and GSS, after adjustment for codon 219 polymorphism effect. However, the impacts differed completely among patients with specific prion protein abnormalities.
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Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob , Enfermedades por Prión , Proteínas Priónicas , Priones , Animales , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Bovinos , Codón/genética , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/genética , Encefalopatía Espongiforme Bovina , Humanos , Metionina/genética , Enfermedades por Prión/genética , Proteínas Priónicas/genética , Priones/genética , Priones/metabolismoRESUMEN
Deposition of amyloid ß protein (Aß) in the brain (cerebral ß-amyloidosis) is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). So far, there have been increasing number of experimental studies using AD mouse model that cerebral ß-amyloidosis could be transmitted among individuals as prion-like mechanism. Furthermore, several pathological studies using autopsied patients with iatrogenic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) showed that cerebral ß-amyloidosis in addition to the CJD pathology could be transmitted among humans via medical procedures, such as human growth hormone derived from cadaver injection and cadaveric dura mater graft. In addition, although cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), which is Aß deposition in the cerebral vessels, related cerebral hemorrhage rarely develops in young people, several patients with CAA-related cerebral hemorrhage under the age of 55 with histories of neurosurgeries with and without dura mater graft in early childhood have been reported. These patients might show that Aß pathology is often recognized as Aß-CAA rather than parenchymal Aß deposition in the transmission of cerebral ß-amyloidosis in humans, and we proposed an emerging concept, "acquired CAA". Considering that there have been several patients with acquired CAA with an incubation period from neurosurgery and the onset of CAA related cerebral hemorrhage of longer than 40 years, the number of cases is likely to increase in the future, and detailed epidemiological investigation is required. It is necessary to continue to elucidate the pathomechanisms of acquired CAA and urgently establish a method for preventing the transmission of cerebral ß-amyloidosis among individuals.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer , Angiopatía Amiloide Cerebral , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob , Adolescente , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Animales , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Angiopatía Amiloide Cerebral/patología , Hemorragia Cerebral/metabolismo , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/patología , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/transmisión , Humanos , RatonesRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To clarify pathomechanisms of cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation/vasculitis (CAA-ri). METHODS: We collected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of nine patients with CAA-ri of before (acute CAA-ri group) and after treatment (post-treatment CAA-ri group) and nine patients with CAA (CAA without inflammation group). We examined anti-amyloid ß protein (Aß) antibody titer by ELISA, and measured 27 Cytokines, nine matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and four tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) by multiplexed fluorescent bead-based immunoassay. RESULTS: We demonstrated TIMP-2 (median) in CSF of the acute CAA-ri group (30,994.49 pg/ml, p = 0.007) and the post-treatment CAA-ri group (36,430.97 pg/ml, p = 0.001) was significantly elevated compared to that of the CAA without inflammation group (22,013.58 pg/ml). TIMP-1 was also higher in the post-treatment CAA-ri group than that in the CAA without inflammation group (58,167.75 pg/ml vs. 45,770.03 pg/ml, p = 0.005). There was a significant positive correlation between TIMP-1 and anti-Aß antibodies in CAA-ri (rs = 0.900, p = 0.037). Median MMP-2 tended to be higher in the acute and post-treatment CAA-ri groups (10,619.82 pg/ml and 8396.98 pg/ml, respectively) than in the CAA without inflammation group (4436.34 pg/ml). Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB levels before treatment were higher than those after treatment (median, 12.66 pg/ml vs. 6.39 pg/ml; p = 0.011) and correlated with the titer of anti-Aß antibodies (rs =0.900, p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 might be related to the development of CAA-ri. Elevation of PDGF-BB could be a useful marker for clinical diagnosis of CAA-ri.
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Angiopatía Amiloide Cerebral/líquido cefalorraquídeo , Angiopatía Amiloide Cerebral/diagnóstico , Citocinas/líquido cefalorraquídeo , Mediadores de Inflamación/líquido cefalorraquídeo , Metaloproteasas/líquido cefalorraquídeo , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/líquido cefalorraquídeo , Biomarcadores/líquido cefalorraquídeo , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
Recently, the genetic variability in lysosomal storage disorders has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Here, we found that variants in prosaposin (PSAP), a rare causative gene of various types of lysosomal storage disorders, are linked to Parkinson's disease. Genetic mutation screening revealed three pathogenic mutations in the saposin D domain of PSAP from three families with autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease. Whole-exome sequencing revealed no other variants in previously identified Parkinson's disease-causing or lysosomal storage disorder-causing genes. A case-control association study found two variants in the intronic regions of the PSAP saposin D domain (rs4747203 and rs885828) in sporadic Parkinson's disease had significantly higher allele frequencies in a combined cohort of Japan and Taiwan. We found the abnormal accumulation of autophagic vacuoles, impaired autophagic flux, altered intracellular localization of prosaposin, and an aggregation of α-synuclein in patient-derived skin fibroblasts or induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons. In mice, a Psap saposin D mutation caused progressive motor decline and dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Our data provide novel genetic evidence for the involvement of the PSAP saposin D domain in Parkinson's disease.
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Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad/genética , Enfermedad de Parkinson/genética , Saposinas/genética , Anciano , Animales , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Neuronas Dopaminérgicas/patología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Mutantes , Persona de Mediana Edad , Degeneración Nerviosa/genética , Degeneración Nerviosa/patología , Enfermedad de Parkinson/patologíaRESUMEN
We previously reported a phenotype of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), CJD-MMiK, that could help identify iatrogenic CJD. To find cases mimicking CJD-MMiK, we investigated clinical features and pathology of 1,155 patients with diagnosed sporadic CJD or unclassified CJD with and without history of neurosurgery. Patients with history of neurosurgery more frequently had an absence of periodic sharp-wave complexes on electroencephalogram than patients without a history of neurosurgery. Among 27 patients with history of neurosurgery, 5 had no periodic sharp-wave complexes on electroencephalogram. We confirmed 1 case of CJD-MMiK and suspected another. Both had methionine homozygosity at codon 129 of the prion protein gene and hyperintensity lesions in the thalamus on magnetic resonance images of the brain, which might be a clinical marker of CJD-MMiK. A subgroup with a history of neurosurgery and clinical features mimicking dura mater graft-associated CJD might have been infected during neurosurgery and had symptoms develop after many years.
Asunto(s)
Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob , Neurocirugia , Priones , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/etiología , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/genética , Humanos , Enfermedad Iatrogénica , Proteínas Priónicas/genéticaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To clinically diagnose MM2-cortical (MM2C) and MM2-thalamic (MM2T)-type sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) at early stage with high sensitivity and specificity. METHODS: We reviewed the results of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Surveillance Study in Japan between April 1999 and September 2019, which included 254 patients with pathologically confirmed prion diseases, including 9 with MM2C-type sCJD (MM2C-sCJD) and 10 with MM2T-type sCJD (MM2T-sCJD), and 607 with non-prion diseases. RESULTS: According to the conventional criteria of sCJD, 4 of 9 patients with MM2C- and 7 of 10 patients with MM2T-sCJD could not be diagnosed with probable sCJD until their death. Compared with other types of sCJD, patients with MM2C-sCJD showed slower progression of the disease and cortical distribution of hyperintensity lesions on diffusion-weighted images of brain MRI. Patients with MM2T-sCJD also showed relatively slow progression and negative results for most of currently established investigations for diagnosis of sCJD. To clinically diagnose MM2C-sCJD, we propose the new criteria; diagnostic sensitivity and specificity to distinguish 'probable' MM2C-sCJD from other subtypes of sCJD, genetic or acquired prion diseases and non-prion disease controls were 77.8% and 98.5%, respectively. As for MM2T-sCJD, clinical and laboratory features are not characterised enough to develop its diagnostic criteria. CONCLUSIONS: MM2C-sCJD can be diagnosed at earlier stage using the new criteria with high sensitivity and specificity, although it is still difficult to diagnose MM2T-sCJD clinically.
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Corteza Cerebral/diagnóstico por imagen , Circulación Cerebrovascular , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/diagnóstico por imagen , Proteínas PrPSc/líquido cefalorraquídeo , Proteínas Priónicas/genética , Tálamo/diagnóstico por imagen , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Corteza Cerebral/fisiopatología , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/líquido cefalorraquídeo , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/genética , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/fisiopatología , Cisteína/análogos & derivados , Imagen de Difusión por Resonancia Magnética , Progresión de la Enfermedad , Femenino , Fluorodesoxiglucosa F18 , Humanos , Yofetamina , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Compuestos de Organotecnecio , Radiofármacos , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Tálamo/fisiopatología , Tomografía Computarizada de Emisión de Fotón ÚnicoRESUMEN
Prion-like propagation of protein aggregates is thought to be an essential feature in many neurodegenerative diseases, but the mechanisms underlying transcellular transfer of protein aggregates remain unclear. Stopschinski et al. now demonstrate that the cellular uptake of tau, Aß, and α-synuclein aggregates mediated by heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) varies with distinct glycosaminoglycan chain length and sulfation patterns. The results help us to understand how different protein aggregates propagate, leading to distinct neurodegenerative pathologies.
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Péptidos beta-Amiloides/química , Glicosaminoglicanos/química , Proteoglicanos de Heparán Sulfato/metabolismo , Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/patología , Azufre/metabolismo , alfa-Sinucleína/metabolismo , Proteínas tau/metabolismo , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Glicosaminoglicanos/metabolismo , Humanos , Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/metabolismoRESUMEN
Valine-to-isoleucine substitution at codon 180 of the prion protein gene is only observed in patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and accounts for approximately half of all cases of genetic prion disease in Japan. In the present study, we investigated the biochemical characteristics of valine-to-isoleucine substitution at codon 180 in the prion protein gene, using samples obtained from the autopsied brains of seven patients with genetic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease exhibiting this mutation (diagnoses confirmed via neuropathological examination). Among these patients, we observed an absence of diglycosylated and monoglycosylated forms of PrPres at codon 181. Our findings further indicated that the abnormal prion proteins were composed of at least three components, although smaller carboxyl-terminal fragments were predominant. Western blot analyses revealed large amounts of PrPres in the cerebral neocortices, where neuropathological examination revealed marked spongiosis. Relatively smaller amounts of PrPres were detected in the hippocampus, where milder spongiosis was observed, than in the cerebral neocortex. These findings indicate that abnormal prion proteins in the neocortex are associated with severe toxicity, resulting in severe spongiosis. Our findings further indicate that the valine-to-isoleucine substitution is not a polymorphism, but rather an authentic pathogenic mutation associated with specific biochemical characteristics that differ from those observed in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
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Sustitución de Aminoácidos/genética , Codón/genética , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/genética , Isoleucina/genética , Proteínas Priónicas/química , Proteínas Priónicas/genética , Valina/genética , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Codón/química , Femenino , Marcadores Genéticos/genética , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Neocórtex/química , Valina/químicaRESUMEN
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that, according to the most well accepted hypothesis (1), is caused by replicating, transmissible, abnormal forms of a host-encoded prion protein (prions). Most CJD cases occur spontaneously (sporadic CJD) or are inherited (genetic CJD). Iatrogenic CJD can occur after exposure to prion-contaminated instruments or products in medical/surgical settings. Cadaveric dura mater graft-associated CJD (dCJD) accounts for a common form of iatrogenic CJD. This report summarizes the epidemiologic features of 154 cases of dCJD identified in Japan during 1975-2017; these cases account for >60% of dCJD cases reported worldwide (1,2). The unusually high prevalence of dCJD in Japan was first reported in 1997 (3). In 2008, a single brand of graft (Lyodura [B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany]), frequently used as a patch in neurosurgical procedures, was identified as the probable vehicle of transmission (4). No international recall of the implicated Lyodura occurred, the product had a relatively long shelf life, and the grafts were used frequently in Japanese patients with non-life-threatening conditions (4,5). Since 2008, additional cases have been ascertained, reflecting the identification of previously missed cases and the occurrence of new cases with longer latency periods (interval from exposure to symptom onset) for dCJD (up to 30 years), underscoring the importance of maintaining surveillance for dCJD.
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Colágeno , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/epidemiología , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/transmisión , Duramadre/trasplante , Trasplante de Tejidos/efectos adversos , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Humanos , Japón/epidemiología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Adulto JovenAsunto(s)
Péptidos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/química , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/efectos de la radiación , Dicroismo Circular , Rayos gamma , Calor , Humanos , Microscopía de Fuerza Atómica , Microscopía Electrónica , Agregado de Proteínas , Conformación Proteica en Lámina beta , EsterilizaciónRESUMEN
Deposition of aggregated amyloid-ß (Aß) peptide in brain is an early event and hallmark pathology of Alzheimer's disease and cerebral Aß angiopathy. Experimental evidence supports the concept that Aß multimers can act as seeds and structurally corrupt other Aß peptides by a self-propagating mechanism. Here we compare the induction of cerebral ß-amyloidosis by intraperitoneal applications of Aß-containing brain extracts in three Aß-precursor protein (APP) transgenic mouse lines that differ in levels of transgene expression in brain and periphery (APP23 mice, APP23 mice lacking murine APP, and R1.40 mice). Results revealed that beta-amyloidosis induction, which could be blocked with an anti-Aß antibody, was dependent on the amount of inoculated brain extract and on the level of APP/Aß expression in the brain but not in the periphery. The induced Aß deposits in brain occurred in a characteristic pattern consistent with the entry of Aß seeds at multiple brain locations. Intraperitoneally injected Aß could be detected in blood monocytes and some peripheral tissues (liver, spleen) up to 30 d after the injection but escaped histological and biochemical detection thereafter. These results suggest that intraperitoneally inoculated Aß seeds are transported from the periphery to the brain in which corruptive templating of host Aß occurs at multiple sites, most efficiently in regions with high availability of soluble Aß.
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Péptidos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/toxicidad , Amiloidosis , Corteza Cerebral/patología , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/inmunología , Precursor de Proteína beta-Amiloide/genética , Amiloidosis/inducido químicamente , Amiloidosis/genética , Amiloidosis/patología , Animales , Anticuerpos/farmacología , Células Sanguíneas/metabolismo , Células Sanguíneas/patología , Corteza Cerebral/efectos de los fármacos , Corteza Cerebral/metabolismo , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Vías de Administración de Medicamentos , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Ratones Transgénicos , Mutación/genética , Cavidad Peritoneal/patología , Placa Amiloide/patología , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Amyloid ß-protein (Aß) aggregation is considered to be a critical step in the neurodegeneration of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition to Aß, many proteins aggregate into the amyloid state, in which they form elongated fibers with spines comprising stranded ß-sheets. However, the cross-seeding effects of other protein aggregates on Aß aggregation pathways are not completely clear. To investigate the cross-seeding effects of exogenous and human non-CNS amyloidogenic proteins on Aß aggregation pathways, we examined whether and how sonicated fibrils of casein, fibroin, sericin, actin, and islet amyloid polypeptide affected Aß40 and Aß42 aggregation pathways using the thioflavin T assay and electron microscopy. Interestingly, the fibrillar seeds of all amyloidogenic proteins functioned as seeds. The cross-seeding effect of actin was stronger but that of fibroin was weaker than that of other proteins. Furthermore, our nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies identified the binding sites of Aß with the amyloidogenic proteins. Our results indicate that the amyloidogenic proteins, including those contained in foods and cosmetics, contribute to Aß aggregation by binding to Aß, suggesting their possible roles in the propagation of Aß amyloidosis.
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Péptidos beta-Amiloides/química , Proteínas Amiloidogénicas/farmacología , Amiloidosis/etiología , Benzotiazoles , Humanos , Espectroscopía de Resonancia Magnética , Microscopía Electrónica , Tiazoles/metabolismoRESUMEN
Epidemiological studies have suggested that diets rich in phenolic compounds may have preventive effects on the development of dementia or Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated the effects of natural phenolic compounds, such as myricetin (Myr), rosmarinic acid (RA), ferulic acid (FA), curcumin (Cur) and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) on the aggregation of amyloid ß-protein (Aß), using in vitro and in vivo models of cerebral Aß amyloidosis. The in vitro studies revealed that these phenolic compounds efficiently inhibit oligomerization as well as fibril formation of Aß through differential binding, whilst reducing Aß oligomer-induced synaptic and neuronal toxicity. Furthermore, a transgenic mouse model fed orally with such phenolic compounds showed significant reduction of soluble Aß oligomers as well as of insoluble Aß deposition in the brain. These data, together with an updated review of the literature, indicate that natural phenolic compounds have anti-amyloidogenic effects on Aß in addition to well-known anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, hence suggesting their potential as therapeutic and/or preventive agents for cerebral Aß amyloidosis, including AD and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Well-designed clinical trials or preventive interventions with natural phenolic compounds are necessary to establish their efficacy as disease-modifying agents.
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Enfermedad de Alzheimer , Péptidos beta-Amiloides , Amiloidosis , Fenoles/uso terapéutico , Agregación Patológica de Proteínas , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/genética , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/patología , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/prevención & control , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/genética , Péptidos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Amiloidosis/genética , Amiloidosis/metabolismo , Amiloidosis/patología , Amiloidosis/prevención & control , Animales , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Humanos , Ratones , Ratones Transgénicos , Agregación Patológica de Proteínas/genética , Agregación Patológica de Proteínas/metabolismo , Agregación Patológica de Proteínas/patología , Agregación Patológica de Proteínas/prevención & controlRESUMEN
We report the case of a 46-year-old female patient who developed a subacute progression of axial and proximal muscle weakness. Laboratory findings revealed mildly elevated serum creatine kinase levels. No monoclonal gammopathy was detected. A muscle biopsy revealed that she had nemaline myopathy. Serological tests and a lip biopsy revealed Sjögren's syndrome (SjS). We diagnosed her as having sporadic late-onset nemaline myopathy without monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance associated with SjS. Her symptoms improved after methylprednisolone pulse therapy followed by intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. A good response to immunotherapy demonstrates the necessity of making a correct diagnosis, for which a muscle biopsy is required.
RESUMEN
Artificial photosynthetic cells producing organic matter from CO2 and water have been extensively studied for carbon neutrality, and the research trend is currently transitioning from proof of concept using small-sized cells to large-scale demonstrations for practical applications. We previously demonstrated a 1 m2 size cell in which an electrochemical (EC) reactor featuring a ruthenium (Ru)-complex polymer (RuCP) cathode catalyst was integrated with photovoltaic cells. In this study, we tackled the remaining issue to improve the long-term durability of cathode electrodes used in the EC reactors, demonstrating high Faradaic efficiencies exceeding 80% and around 60% electricity-to-chemical energy-conversion efficiencies of a 75 cm2 sized EC reactor after continuous operation for 3000 h under practical conditions. Introduction of a pyrrole derivative containing an amino group in the RuCP coupled with UV-ozone treatment to create carboxyl groups on the carbon supports effectively reduced the detachment of the RuCP catalyst by forming a strong amide linkage. A newly developed chemically resistant graphite adhesive prevented the carbon supports from peeling off of the conductive substrates. In addition, highly durable anodes composed of IrOx-TaOy/Pt-metal oxide/Ti were adopted. Even though the EC reactor was installed at an inclined angle of 30°, which is approximately the optimal angle for receiving more solar energy, the crossover reactions were sufficiently suppressed because the porous separator film impeded the transfer of oxygen gas bubbles from the anode to the cathode. The intermittent operation improved the energy-conversion efficiency because the accumulated bubbles were removed at night.
RESUMEN
The amyloid plaque is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The accumulation of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the neuronal structure is assumed to lead to amyloid plaque formation through the excessive production of ß-amyloid protein. To study the relationship between the neuronal accumulation of APP and amyloid plaque formation, we histologically analyzed their development in the different brain regions in 3xTg-AD mice, which express Swedish mutated APP (APPSWE) in the neurons. Observation throughout the brain revealed APPSWE-positive somata in the broad regions. Quantitative model analysis showed that the somatic accumulation of APPSWE developed firstly in the hippocampus from a very early age (<1 month) and proceeded slower in the isocortex. In line with this, the hippocampus was the first region to form amyloid plaques at the age of 9-12 months, while amyloid plaques were rarely observed in the isocortex. Females had more APPSWE-positive somata and plaques than males. Furthermore, amyloid plaques were observed in the lateral septum and pontine grey, which did not contain APPSWE-positive somata but only the APPSWE-positive fibers. These results suggested that neuronal accumulation of APPSWE, both in somatodendritic and axonal domains, is closely related to the formation of amyloid plaques.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: More than 60% of patients worldwide with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) associated with dura mater graft (dCJD) have been diagnosed in Japan. The remarkable frequency of dura mater grafts in Japan may possibly contribute to the elevated incidence of dCJD, but reasons for the disproportionate use of this procedure in Japan remain unclear. We investigated differences between dCJD patients in Japan and those elsewhere to help explain the more frequent use of cadaveric dura mater and the high incidence of dCJD in Japan. METHODS: We obtained data on dCJD patients in Japan from the Japanese national CJD surveillance programme and on dCJD patients in other countries from the extant literature. We compared the demographic, clinical and pathological features of dCJD patients in Japan with those from other countries. RESULTS: Data were obtained for 142 dCJD patients in Japan and 53 dCJD patients elsewhere. The medical conditions preceding dura mater graft transplantation were significantly different between Japan and other countries (p<0.001); in Japan, there were more cases of cerebrovascular disease and hemifacial spasm or trigeminal neuralgia. Patients with dCJD in Japan received dura mater graft more often for non-life-threatening conditions, such as meningioma, hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia, than in other countries. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the medical conditions precipitating dura mater graft may contribute to the frequent use of cadaveric dura mater and the higher incidence of dCJD in Japan.
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Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/epidemiología , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/transmisión , Duramadre/trasplante , Duramadre/virología , Adolescente , Adulto , Cadáver , Niño , Comparación Transcultural , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Enfermedad Iatrogénica , Japón , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Vigilancia de la Población , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Radiological features in patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) are hyperintensity of the cerebral cortex and the basal ganglia displayed by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). We performed a quantitative study on neuropathological and radiological findings. METHODS: Patient 1 received a definite diagnosis of MM1-type sCJD, while patient 2 received a definite diagnosis of MM1 + 2-type sCJD. Two DW-MRI scans were performed on each patient. DW-MRI was either taken the day before or on the day of the patient's death, and several hyperintense or isointense areas were marked as a region of interest (ROI). Mean signal intensity of the ROI was measured. Pathological quantitative assessments of the vacuoles, astrocytosis, infiltration of monocytes/macrophages, and proliferation of microglia was performed. Vacuole load (% area vacuole), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), CD68, and Iba-1 load were calculated. We defined spongiform change index (SCI) to indicate vacuoles related to a tissue neuron-astrocyte ratio. We assessed the correlation of intensity of the last DW-MRI and the pathological findings as well as association of changes of the signal intensity on the sequential images and the pathological findings. RESULT: We observed a strong positive correlation between SCI and DW-MRI intensity. In the analysis using serial DW-MRI and pathological findings, we found that CD68 load was significantly larger in areas where signal intensity decreased, as compared to those areas where hyperintensity remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: DW-MRI intensity in sCJD is associated with the ratio of neuron to astrocyte in the vacuoles and the infiltration of macrophages and/or monocytes.
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Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob , Humanos , Síndrome de Creutzfeldt-Jakob/diagnóstico , Imagen de Difusión por Resonancia Magnética/métodos , Vacuolas/patología , Monocitos/metabolismo , Monocitos/patología , Astrocitos/metabolismo , Encéfalo/patología , Neuronas/metabolismo , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Imagen por Resonancia MagnéticaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri) have demonstrated inconsistent results. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between CSF amyloid-ß protein (Aß) and vascular pathological findings to elucidate the mechanisms of Aß elimination from the brain in CAA-ri. METHODS: We examined Aß40 and Aß42 levels in CSF samples in 15 patients with CAA-ri and 15 patients with Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (AD-CAA) using ELISA as a cross-sectional study. Furthermore, we pathologically examined Aß40 and Aß42 depositions on the leptomeningeal blood vessels (arteries, arterioles, and veins) using brain biopsy samples from six patients with acute CAA-ri and brain tissues of two autopsied patients with CAA-ri. RESULTS: The median Aß40 and Aß42 levels in the CSF showed no significant difference between pre-treatment CAA-ri (Aß40, 6837 pg/ml; Aß42, 324 pg/ml) and AD-CAA (Aß40, 7669 pg/ml, pâ=â0.345; Aß42, 355 pg/ml, pâ=â0.760). Aß40 and Aß42 levels in patients with post-treatment CAA-ri (Aß40, 1770 pg/ml, pâ=â0.056; Aß42, 167 pg/ml, pâ=â0.006) were lower than those in patients with pre-treatment CAA-ri. Regarding Aß40 and Aß42 positive arteries, acute CAA-ri cases showed a higher frequency of partially Aß-deposited blood vessels than postmortem CAA-ri cases (Aß40, 20.8% versus 3.9%, pâ=â0.0714; Aß42, 27.4% versus 2.0%, pâ=â0.0714, respectively). CONCLUSION: Lower levels of CSF Aß40 and Aß42 could be biomarkers for the cessation of inflammation in CAA-ri reflecting the recovery of the intramural periarterial drainage pathway and vascular function.