Exploring advancements in early detection of Alzheimer's disease with molecular assays and animal models.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a challenging neurodegenerative condition, with overwhelming implications for affected individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. Animal models have played a crucial role in studying AD pathogenesis and testing therapeutic interventions. Remarkably, studies on the genetic factors affecting AD risk, such as APOE and TREM2, have provided valuable insights into disease mechanisms. Early diagnosis has emerged as a crucial factor in effective AD management, as demonstrated by clinical studies emphasizing the benefits of initiating treatment at early stages. Novel diagnostic technologies, including RNA sequencing of microglia, offer promising avenues for early detection and monitoring of AD progression. Therapeutic strategies remain to evolve, with a focus on targeting amyloid beta (Aß) and tau pathology. Advances in animal models, such as APP-KI mice, and the advancement of anti-Aß drugs signify progress towards more effective treatments. Therapeutically, the focus has shifted towards intricate approaches targeting multiple pathological pathways simultaneously. Strategies aimed at reducing Aß plaque accumulation, inhibiting tau hyperphosphorylation, and modulating neuroinflammation are actively being explored, both in preclinical models and clinical trials. While challenges continue in developing validated animal models and translating preclinical findings to clinical success, the continuing efforts in understanding AD at molecular, cellular, and clinical levels offer hope for improved management and eventual prevention of this devastating disease.

Electronic Structure-, Phonon Spectrum-, and Effective Mass- Related Thermoelectric Properties of PdXSn (X = Zr, Hf) Half Heuslers.

We hereby discuss the thermoelectric properties of PdXSn(X = Zr, Hf) half Heuslers in relation to lattice thermal conductivity probed under effective mass (hole/electrons) calculations and deformation potential theory. In addition, we report the structural, electronic, mechanical, and lattice dynamics of these materials as well. Both alloys are indirect band gap semiconductors with a gap of 0.91 eV and 0.82 eV for PdZrSn and PdHfSn, respectively. Both half Heusler materials are mechanically and dynamically stable. The effective mass of electrons/holes is (0.13/1.23) for Zr-type and (0.12/1.12) for Hf-kind alloys, which is inversely proportional to the relaxation time and directly decides the electrical/thermal conductivity of these materials. At 300K, the magnitude of lattice thermal conductivity observed for PdZrSn is 15.16 W/mK and 9.53 W/mK for PdHfSn. The highest observed ZT value for PdZrSn and PdHfSn is 0.32 and 0.4, respectively.

Mitochondrial genome variations in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a structural heart disease with strong genetic background. The aim of this study was to assess the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations and haplogroups in Indian DCM patients. Whole mtDNA analysis of 221 DCM patients revealed 48 novel, 42 disease-associated and 97 private variations. The frequency of reported variations associated with hearing impairment, DEAF, SNHL and LHON are significantly high in DCM patients than controls. Haplogroups H and HV were over represented in DCM than controls. Functional analysis of two private variations (m.8812A>G & m.10320G>A) showed decrease in mitochondrial functions, suggesting the role of mtDNA variations in DCM.

Correction to: ACE2, CALM3 and TNNI3K polymorphisms as potential disease modifiers in hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies.

In the original publication of the article, the location and rs number of TNNI3K mouse SNP (3784 C>T) (rs49812611) has been mentioned inadvertently in place of its human homologue. The correct information for human SNP is rs760769780 located at position 74436534, resulting in (G>A) change in human TNNI3K gene.

ACE2, CALM3 and TNNI3K polymorphisms as potential disease modifiers in hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies.

The marked clinical and genetic heterogeneity seen in hypertrophic (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathies (DCM) suggests involvement of disease modifiers and environmental factors in the pathophysiology of these diseases. In the current study, we examined association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of three candidate genes, ACE2 (rs6632677), TNNI3K (rs49812611) and CALM3 (rs13477425) with clinical phenotypes of HCM and DCM patients of North Indian ethnicity. Prevalence of ACE2 (7160726 C>G) variant genotypes (CG and GG) was significantly higher in DCM subjects as compared to controls. Prevalence of TNNI3K (3784 C>T) and CALM3 (-34T>A) variant homozygous genotype were significantly higher in HCM and DCM subjects as compared to controls. DCM patients with CT genotype showed significant decrease in LVEF as compared to CC genotype (p < 0.03). There was significant gene-gene interaction between these SNPs and three-way SNP combination of ACE2 C>G, TNN13K C>T, CALM3 A>T gene variants and was associated with high risk of HCM and DCM. Presence of ACE2 (7160726 C>G) and CALM3 (-34T>A) variant genotypes in HCM Patients with mutations (sarcomeric or non sarcomeric genes) was associated with increased mean septal thickness, further suggesting a role of these gene variants in modifying disease phenotype. Our results suggest that ACE2, TNNI3K and CALM3 polymorphisms are associated with increased risk of HCM and DCM and may act as disease modifiers of these diseases.

Renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphisms as potential modifiers of hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy phenotypes.

The renin-angiotensin (RAS) pathway has an important role in the etiology of heart failure and given the importance of RAS as a therapeutic target in various cardiomyopathies, genetic polymorphisms in the RAS genes may modulate the risk and severity of disease in cardiomyopathy patients. In the present study, we examined the association of RAS pathway gene polymorphisms, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen (AGT), and angiotensin receptor type 1 (AGTR1) with risk and disease severity in Asian Indian idiopathic cardiomyopathy patients. The case-control study was conducted in 400 cardiomyopathy patients diagnosed with HCM, DCM, or restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) and 235 healthy controls. Genotyping of patients and controls was done by PCR-RFLP assays. Left ventricular wall thickness and left ventricular ejection fraction were measured by means of M-mode echocardiography. We observed significantly higher prevalence of ACE DD and AGTR1 1166CC genotypes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients. Also, 235TT genotype of AGT (M235T) was significantly associated with enhanced risk of the disease phenotype in HCM, DCM, and RCM.

Rasmussen Aneurysm.

Angiographic findings in tuberculosis patients presenting with hemoptysis include hypervascularity, hypertrophy of systemic arteries, aneurysm, systemic to pulmonary anastomosis, and rarely, contrast extravasation. Bronchial arteries are the source of hemorrhage in majority of cases with non-bronchial systemic or pulmonary arteries being less common as the source. Rasmussen's Aneurysm is a very rare sequalae of Pulmonary Tuberculosis. We present one such case of Rasmussen's aneurysm and review of the relevant literature.

Mitochondrial DNA variations associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary disorder, characterized by unexplained hypertrophy of the left ventricle that frequently involved in the inter-ventricular septum. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and haplogroups have been found to be associated with several diseases. Therefore, in the present study, we have sequenced the complete mtDNA of 114 clinically well-characterized HCM patients to look for the role of mtDNA variations and haplogroups in HCM phenotype among Indian patients. Complete mtDNA analysis revealed 28 novel variations, 25 disease-associated and 50 private mutations. We found 13 (11.40%) HCM patients having novel non-synonymous and/or MT-tRNA variations, of which two (m.4797C>M and m.8728T>Y) were in heteroplasmic condition. In silico prediction showed that a few mutations are pathogenic, which may affect the energy production in the heart. Unlike some of the other studies, we did not find association of mitochondrial haplogroup with HCM.