Predicting the final clinical phenotype after the first attack of optic neuritis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the factors determining the final clinical phenotype after an initial isolated attack of optic neuritis (ON). ON could be an isolated event or the initial presentation of a chronic neuroimmunological condition. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of patients presenting to University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center for an initial, isolated attack of ON. Final clinical phenotypes were idiopathic ON, multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein associated disease (MOGAD), or secondary ON (e.g. neurosarcoidosis). Several potential predictors at the time of initial presentation were compared among the different phenotypes to determine early predictors. Categorical variables were compared using Pearson χ2 or Fisher's exact test, and continuous variables were compared using independent t-test. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients met criteria (average age 41.3 ± 13.3, 78.1% females). Average time to final diagnosis was 8.3 months, and average follow-up was 47 months. The final phenotypes were MS (22, 34%), idiopathic ON (14, 22%), MOGAD (11, 17%), NMOSD (10, 16%), and secondary ON (7, 11%). White race, unilateral ON, short segment hyperintensity on orbital MRI, classical demyelination on brain MRI, and not requiring PLEX were associated with MS. Older age, poor steroid responsiveness, and requiring PLEX were associated with NMOSD. African American race, bilateral ON, papillitis on fundoscopy, long segment hyperintensity on orbital MRI, and normal brain MRI were associated with MOGAD. Normal or thinned retinal nerve fiber layer on OCT, short segment hyperintensity on orbital MRI, and normal brain MRI were associated with idiopathic ON. CONCLUSION: The final clinical phenotype may be predictable at the time of initial ON presentation. This requires a careful evaluation of patient demographics, treatment response, funduscopic findings, OCT, and orbital and brain MRIs. Utilizing early predictors in clinical practice could better inform prognosis and management decisions.

Finding the forgotten gems: revisiting the butterflies of Matheran after 125 years with introduction to novel colour barcode for depicting seasons and activity of the Indian butterflies.

We present here an updated checklist for the butterflies of Matheran, Maharashtra, India, an eco-sensitive zone, with identification remarks for locally rare or very rare butterflies. This is the first dedicated checklist for butterflies of Matheran after 125 years. A total of 140 species of butterflies were recorded belonging to six families. Amongst them, 15 species were either listed under Schedule I, II or IV of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. We also list the habitats of the species along with the data for their activity at the time of recording the observation. We propose a uniform colour code system for representing season and activity for the Indian butterflies. Examples of colour barcodes are provided with the images of rare and very rare butterflies. The lack of abundance data is a limitation of the study for which we propose long term monitoring with dedicated efforts.

Molecular phylogenetic investigations of Triops granarius (Lucas, 1864 (Branchiopoda: Notostraca) from the type locality of the former Apus orientalis Tiwari, 1952 and three other localities in the Western Ghats of India.

We investigated the phylogenetic position of Triops granarius populations from four localities in the Western Ghats using partial sequences of three mitochondrial genes (COI, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) publicly available on the GenBank database. One of these localities, Panchgani, is particularly important since it is the type locality of the former Apus orientalis which is currently treated as a junior synonym of T. granarius. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that populations from all the four localities (Kolhapur, Chalkewadi, Panchgani, and Dighi) form a single lineage, which is here named 'Maharashtra lineage'. One of the two previously published samples from India, treated as lineage 'Triops granarius 4' is nested within this clade. The 'Maharashtra lineage' is separated from other lineages by mean maximum likelihood distance ≥ 11.9% in the COI gene. This distance is suggestive of a separation on species level from other lineages of T. granarius. This interpretation is further supported by a conservative genus-wide species delimitation analysis performed in the present study upon application of the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery method. The 'Maharashtra lineage' branches out in two sub-lineages of Panchgani+Kolhapur and Dighi+L4+Chalkewadi samples, separated by 5.9% mean ML distance (uncorrected p-distance = 5.4%) in COI. The application of a 5% threshold to the COI dataset would thus even suggest a possible differentiation of both sub-lineages on species level. Comparative morphological data is presently not available because most vouchers associated with the sequences were depleted for DNA extraction. Further studies are needed in order to prepare a sound taxonomic revision. Thus, in the current study we refrain from re-instating Apus orientalis to full species status (likewise, for other names of Asian taxa in this morphogroup, including Apus sinensis Uéno, we retain the status as junior synonym of T. granarius). Nonetheless, our study highlights the fact that still there may be undescribed cryptic species associated with the specific name in this part of Western Ghats (Linnean Shortfall) and paves the way for future taxonomic investigations and conservation strategies for the genus Triops in India.

Latent tri-lineage potential of adult hippocampal neural stem cells revealed by Nf1 inactivation.

Endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult hippocampus are considered to be bi-potent, as they only produce neurons and astrocytes in vivo. In mouse, we found that inactivation of neurofibromin 1 (Nf1), a gene mutated in neurofibromatosis type 1, unlocked a latent oligodendrocyte lineage potential to produce all three lineages from NSCs in vivo. Our results suggest an avenue for promoting stem cell plasticity by targeting barriers of latent lineage potential.

Tangential migration of neuronal precursors of glutamatergic neurons in the adult mammalian brain.

In a classic model of mammalian brain formation, precursors of principal glutamatergic neurons migrate radially along radial glia fibers whereas GABAergic interneuron precursors migrate tangentially. These migration modes have significant implications for brain function. Here we used clonal lineage tracing of active radial glia-like neural stem cells in the adult mouse dentate gyrus and made the surprising discovery that proliferating neuronal precursors of glutamatergic granule neurons exhibit significant tangential migration along blood vessels, followed by limited radial migration. Genetic birthdating and morphological and molecular analyses pinpointed the neuroblast stage as the main developmental window when tangential migration occurs. We also developed a partial "whole-mount" dentate gyrus preparation and observed a dense plexus of capillaries, with which only neuroblasts, among the entire population of progenitors, are directly associated. Together, these results provide insight into neuronal migration in the adult mammalian nervous system.

Delimiting the distribution range of Indirana leithii (Boulenger, 1888) (Anura: Ranixalidae), an endemic threatened anuran of the Western Ghats, based on molecular and morphological analysis.

Indirana leithii (Boulenger, 1888) (Anura: Ranixalidae) is a frog species endemic to the Western Ghats and is categorized as Vulnerable according to IUCN red list. This species is currently considered to be widespread over the entire Western Ghats. Our study based on molecular data (using DNA sequence fragments of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes and the nuclear rhodopsin gene), morphological analysis of topotypic material as well as material collected from a wide range within the northern Western Ghats, suggests that the species has instead a restricted range in the state of Maharashtra. Specimens identified as I. leithii from the southern Western Ghats as well as from outside the Western Ghats probably belong to hitherto undescribed species. To facilitate future studies in understanding the nature of this species complex and provide better means for identification and delimitation of species we provide molecular, morphological and osteological characters of I. leithii from topotyic material.

Endemic Asian chytrid strain infection in threatened and endemic anurans of the Northern Western Ghats, India.

The Western Ghats of India harbors a rich diversity of amphibians with more than 77% species endemic to this region. At least 42% of the endemic species are threatened due to several anthropogenic stressors. However, information on amphibian diseases and their impacts on amphibian populations in this region are scarce. We report the occurrence of Batrachochytridium dendrobatidis (Bd), an epidermal aquatic fungal pathogen that causes chytridiomycosis in amphibians, from the Western Ghats. In the current study we detected the occurrence of a native Asian Bd strain from three endemic and threatened species of anurans, Bombay Night Frog Nyctibatrachus humayuni, Leith's Leaping Frog Indirana leithii and Bombay Bubble Nest Frog Raorchestes bombayensis, for the first time from the northern Western Ghats of India based on diagnostic nested PCR, quantitative PCR, DNA sequencing and histopathology. While, the Bd infected I. leithii and R. bombayensis did not show any external symptoms, N. humayuni showed lesions on the skin, browning of skin and sloughing. Sequencing of Bd 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene, and the ITS1 and ITS2 regions, revealed that the current Bd strain is related to a haplotype endemic to Asia. Our findings confirm the presence of Bd in northern Western Ghats and the affected amphibians may or may not show detectable clinical symptoms. We suggest that the significance of diseases as potential threat to amphibian populations of the Western Ghats needs to be highlighted from the conservation point of view.