Calcium binding proteins in motoneurons at low and high risk for degeneration in ALS

Recent reports challenge the hypothesis that expression of calcium binding proteins contributes to the greater resistance of some motoneurons to degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We therefore re-examined, using immunohistochemistry, the expression of calbindin, calretinin and parvalbumin in vulnerable (hypoglossal, XII; and cervical spinal) and resistant (oculomotor, III) motoneurons of adult rats. Calbindin immunoreactivity was lacking in motor nuclei but strong in the dorsal horn. Calretinin was expressed in spinal, but not III or XII, motoneurons. Parvalbumin immunoreactivity, tested with a polyclonal antibody, was intense in spinal and III, but not XII, motoneurons; however, no staining in the ventral horn was observed with a monoclonal antibody. Differential expression of calretinin and parvalbumin within vulnerable motoneurons suggests that immunoreactivity for these proteins is not a reliable marker for resistance to degeneration in ALS.     

Russian society and patients with rheumatic diseases

The morbidity, primary morbidity, temporary incapacity for work and disablement due to rheumatoid diseases registered among Russia's population in the recent 3 years are described on the basis of an analysis of Russian statistics. Issues related with mortality, caused by rheumatic diseases, the related expenses and influence on patients' life quality are under discussion. A conclusion is made on a high social-and-medical importance of the above category of diseases as viewed from the standpoint of society (state), patient and his or her family.     

Early symptoms in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, 2, 3, and 6

Onset of genetically determined neurodegenerative diseases is difficult to specify because of their insidious and slowly progressive nature. This is especially true for spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) because of varying affection of many parts of the nervous system and huge variability of symptoms. We investigated early symptoms in 287 patients with SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, or SCA6 and calculated the influence of CAG repeat length on age of onset depending on (1) the definition of disease onset, (2) people defining onset, and (3) duration of symptoms. Gait difficulty was the initial symptom in two‐thirds of patients. Double vision, dysarthria, impaired hand writing, and episodic vertigo preceded ataxia in 4% of patients, respectively. Frequency of other early symptoms did not differ from controls and was regarded unspecific. Data about disease onset varied between patients and relatives for 1 year or more in 44% of cases. Influence of repeat length on age of onset was maximum when onset was defined as beginning of permanent gait disturbance and cases with symptoms for more than 10 years were excluded. Under these conditions, CAG repeat length determined 64% of onset variability in SCA1, 67% in SCA2, 46% in SCA3, and 41% in SCA6 demonstrating substantial influence of nonrepeat factors on disease onset in all SCA subtypes. Identification of these factors is of interest as potential targets for disease modifying compounds. In this respect, recognition of early symptoms that develop before onset of ataxia is mandatory to determine the shift from presymptomatic to affected status in SCA. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society     

Incidence rates of articular pain in urban and rural population of Russia (preliminary data)

AIM: Screening of the population sample for articular pain and swelling. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A screening questionnaire for detection of arthritides and arthralgias was filled in for each adult rural and urban citizen aged over 18 years from 15 RF regions. Rural population was covered with a complete examination, urban one was examined by formation of a representative sample from general population. The screening covered a total of 31424 persons, mean age of whom was 47.6 +/- 17.6 years. Among them 14001 lived in the cities and 17423 in the villages. 61% respondents were women. RESULTS: Prevalence of arthralgias in the population reaches 46%. While the symptoms alleviated with time in 8%, they became chronic in the rest. The articular complaints rate in the population is sex-related and depends on the age. In persons under 20 years arthralgia occurs in 9%. Urban citizens have articular pains more frequently than rural population--43 and 33%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pilot results of the screening program demonstrate prevalence of arthralgias in Russia and the importance of joint pathology problem in Russia.     

Prevalence and risk factors in osteoarthrosis in a rural population of the Sakha Republic (Iakutiia)

AIM: To study epidemiology of osteoarthrosis among native population living in rural North of Russia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Population of four villages of the Vilyui region of Sakha Republic (1216 citizens) was covered with a one-stage survey. Population of three villages were Yakuts, one village--evenks. RESULTS: Prevalence of osteoarthrosis among native population of rural Yakutia is 18.0% (definite-9.4%, suspected--8.6%). General and specific osteoarthrosis risk factors linked with climatic-geographic local peculiarities were determined. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of osteoarthrosis among rural citizens of Yakutia is higher than among urban population and depends more on micro- and macroclimatic conditions and occupational hazards.     

Self-assessment of sexual maturity by mid-adolescents based on a global question

The objective of this research was to investigate the use of a global question for evaluation of body development relative to age-mates in addition to graded statements on sexual maturity (SM) as part of self-reports on pubertal development. In total, 4516 adolescents answered written questions on pubertal development and the global question. They represented a normative Swedish sample. To validate these results, 100 mid-adolescents were asked to answer the statements regarding SM and the global question. This was compared with ratings made by two professional examiners for each young person. The outcome of the population study was evaluated against standard biological timetables and demonstrated adequate agreement. In the validation study, the inter-rater agreement between the professionals was excellent and so were professional ratings against those of the adolescents, with one exception: boys' rating of their pubic hair. The global question alone gave the best agreement on pubertal progress. We can conclude that the global question is a valid tool for evaluation of pubertal development during mid-adolescence in population surveys.     

Studies on Sperm Antigenicity 6. In vivo and in Vitro Cellular Reactivity in Guinea Pigs Sensitized with Fractions of Guinea Pig Spermatozoa

Normal guinea pig spermatozoa cells were homogenized by a French pressure cell. Three soluble and three insoluble fractions were obtained by ultracentrifugation and (emulsified in CFA) were used for guinea pig sensitization. The following were observed: 1) all fractions were immunogenic except one; 2) in vivo and in vitro delayed hypersensitivity was elicited in animals immunized with these fractions; 3) two distinctive histopathologic lesions were observed in the testes of sensitized animals: lesions of orchitis type developed in animals injected with some fractions. Other fractions induced lesions of aspermatogenic type. These results correlated well with delayed hypersensitivity results obtained by in vivo and in vitro tests. Although some other spermatozoal fractions did not cause severe changes in the testes, the lack of sperm accumulation in the epididymis was obvious.