Conjugated linoleic acid evokes de-lipidation through the regulation of genes controlling lipid metabolism in adipose and liver tissue

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a unique lipid that elicits dramatic reductions in adiposity in several animal models when included at < or = 1% of the diet. Despite a flurry of investigations, the precise mechanisms by which conjugated linoleic acid elicits its dramatic effects in adipose tissue and liver are still largely unknown. In vivo and in vitro analyses of physiological modifications imparted by conjugated linoleic acid on protein and gene expression suggest that conjugated linoleic acid exerts its de-lipidating effects by modulating energy expenditure, apoptosis, fatty acid oxidation, lipolysis, stromal vascular cell differentiation and lipogenesis. The purpose of this review shall be to examine the recent advances and insights into conjugated linoleic acid's effects on obesity and lipid metabolism, specifically focused on changes in gene expression and physiology of liver and adipose tissue.     

Scalp electrical recording during paralysis: quantitative evidence that EEG frequencies above 20 Hz are contaminated by EMG.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the possible contribution of electromyogram (EMG) to scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) rhythms at rest and induced or evoked by cognitive tasks. METHODS: Scalp EEG recordings were made on two subjects in presence and absence of complete neuromuscular blockade, sparing the dominant arm. The subjects undertook cognitive tasks in both states to allow direct comparison of electrical recordings. RESULTS: EEG rhythms in the paralysed state differed significantly compared with the unparalysed state, with 10- to 200-fold differences in the power of frequencies above 20 Hz during paralysis. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the scalp EEG recording above 20 Hz is of EMG origin. Previous studies measuring gamma EEG need to be re-evaluated. SIGNIFICANCE: This has a significant impact on measurements of gamma rhythms from the scalp EEG in unparalysed humans. It is to be hoped that signal separation methods will be able to rectify this situation.     

Progressive myoclonic ataxia with intrathecal immune activation in six patients

In six patients with slowly progressive sporadic cerebellar ataxia and cortical multifocal action myoclonus, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IgG index was persistently very high (1.2–6.7) and numerous oligoclonal bands were detected. Progressive cognitive impairment and MRI cerebellar and cerebral atrophy were observed. No serum antibodies were found. Various degenerative, metabolic, inflammatory and systemic diseases were excluded. The cerebellum may be the main target of a degenerative or immune process and releases antigens that, enhancing a compartmentalised (auto)immune response, as suggested by the persistent intrathecal activation, could lead to further cerebellar damage. As the frequency of CSF oligoclonal banding in myoclonic ataxia is unknown, our patients’ disease might represent a hitherto unreported entity or a subset of progressive myoclonic ataxia.

---

Sommario Descriviamo sei pazienti con atassia cerebellare sporadica e mioclono corticale d’azione multifocale, nel cui liquor i valori dell’indice IgG si mantenevano persistentemente elevati ed erano presenti numerose bande oligoclonali. I pazienti manifestavano un progressivo declino cognitivo e la RM mostrava atrofia cerebellare e cerebrale. In assenza di anticorpi identificabili non era possibile formulare una diagnosi di malattia nota. Suggeriamo che il cervelletto possa essere il principale bersaglio di un processo degenerativo o immuno-mediato e che gli antigeni liberati inducano la produzione di anticorpi che ulteriormente provocano danno cerebrale. Poiché non è nota la frequenza delle bande oligoclonali nel liquor di pazienti con atassia mioclonica, non sappiamo se la malattia qui descritta sia una entità nuova o un sottogruppo delle atassie miocloniche.