Copolymer effects on microglia and T cells in the central nervous system of humanized mice

The random amino acid copolymers FYAK and VWAK ameliorate EAE in a humanized mouse model expressing both a human transgenic myelin basic protein (MBP)85-99-specific T cell receptor and HLA-DR2. Here we show that microglia isolated from the central nervous system (CNS) of humanized mice with EAE induced by MBP85-99 and treated with these copolymers had reduced expression of HLA-DR, and thus reduced capacity to present MBP85-99 and activate transgenic T cells. In vitro microglia up-regulated empty HLA-DR2 upon activation with GM-CSF with or without LPS or IFN-gamma, but not with IL-4 or IL-10. Correspondingly, gene chip arrays showed that the CNS of untreated and YFAK-treated mice differentially expressed pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules during MBP85-99-induced EAE. Interestingly, microglia expressed the full-length gammabeta and alphabeta subunits of the tetrameric adaptor protein complexes AP-1 and AP-2 respectively, but after treatment with GM-CSF these complexes were cleaved, as had been found in immature dendritic cells derived from bone marrow. Strikingly, in vivo the perivascular lymphocyte infiltration seen in untreated mice immunized with MBP85-99 was composed of equal numbers of hVbeta2+ MPB85-99-specific transgenic and hVbeta2- endogenous T cells, while the much smaller infiltration seen after treatment with YFAK was composed predominantly of hVbeta2- endogenous T cells.     

Effects of L-carnitine on neutrophil functions in aged rats

Several age-related alterations occur at the cellular level in the immune system leading to a decrease in the immune response. The present study was designed to determine the effect of L-carnitine on impaired neutrophil functions of aged rats. For this reason, superoxide anion radical production, chemotaxis and phagocytic activity were studied in the neutrophils obtained from the peripheral blood of young and old rats. We orally gavaged L-carnitine (50 mg/kg b.w. per day) or control vehicle into young (2 months) and aged (24 months) rats for 30 consecutive days. The neutrophils of aged rats exhibited an increase in superoxide anion production and decline in phagocytosis and chemotaxis when compared with that in young rat neutrophils. Superoxide anion production in aged rats was significantly decreased by L-carnitine treatment which was accompanied with a significant enhancement of chemotactic and phagocytic activity being restored to control levels. These findings demonstrated that L-carnitine is capable of restoring the age-related changes of neutrophil functions.     

The effect of chronic restraint stress and sulfite on visual evoked potentials (VEPs): relation to lipid peroxidation.

Stress and sulfite can stimulate numerous pathways leading to an increased production of free radicals which generate a peroxidation cascade producing lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, DNA damage and cell death, and contribute to the occurrence of pathologic conditions. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effects of stress and sulfite on visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and to examine the relationship between lipid peroxidation and VEP changes. Forty male wistar rats, aged three months were used. They were equally divided into four groups: control (C), the group exposed to restraint stress (R), the group treated with sulfite (S) and the group exposed to stress and treated with sulfite (RS). Chronic restraint stress was applied for 21 days (1h/day) and sodium metabisulfite (520 mg/kg/day) was given by gavage for the same period. All latencies of VEP components were prolonged in the R, S and RS groups with respect to the C group. Brain and retina TBARS levels were found to be increased in those groups compared to the C group. Our results strongly suggest that the latency prolongations of all VEP components may have resulted from the enhancement of lipid peroxidation. Correlation analysis between brain and retina TBARS levels and VEP latencies also support this conclusion. Our data in regard to latency prolongations of all VEP components in the stress group exposed to sulfite, reflected an additive effect of sulfite toxicity on VEP components. Therefore it could be suggested that chronic exposure to stress and sulfite together is associated with a considerable health risk.     

Characteristic differences between vestibular migraine and migraine only patients

Journal of Neurology - Vestibular migraine (VM) is one of the most common causes of vertigo in clinical practice but it is not always easy to make the correct diagnosis. Our aims were to find out...     

Tyrosinemia type II: Novel mutations in TAT in a boy with unusual presentation

Tyrosinemia type II is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by deficiency of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT). It may occur with ocular and cutaneous symptoms with or without mental retardation, but epileptic seizure is a rare presentation of this disease. Herein we report the clinical, biochemical and genetic features of a 4‐year‐old boy who presented with afebrile seizure and photophobia. Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral blood leukocytes from the whole family. Sequencing analysis was performed using the MiSeq next‐generation sequencing platform. Sequencing of TAT indicated two new homozygous mutations p.L312P (c.935T>C) and p.T408M (c.1223C>T) for the proband and his asymptomatic sister. During a 2 year follow‐up period, the patient had overall poor compliance with protein‐restricted diet, but his asymptomatic sister had good compliance with the diet. Cognitive function of the patient worsened steadily, but his asymptomatic sister maintained normal mental status. Tyrosinemia type II should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with epileptic seizure and photophobia; furthermore, early diagnosis and protein‐restricted regimen are important to reduce the risk of long‐term complications of tyrosinemia type II such as mental disability.     

Acute Onset of Intracerebral Hemorrhage due to Autonomic Dysreflexia

Autonomic dysreflexia is a clinical emergency syndrome of uncontrolled sympathetic output that can occur in patients who have a history of spinal cord injury. Despite its frequency in spinal cord injury patients, central nervous system complications are very rare. We report a man with traumatic high level incomplete spinal cord injury who suffered hypertensive right thalamic hemorrhage secondary to an episode of autonomic dysreflexia. Prompt recognition and removal of the triggering factor, the suprapubic catheter obstruction which led to hypertensive attack, the patient had a favorable functional outcome after the resorption of the hematoma and effective rehabilitation programme.     

Prevalence and risk factors of depression among community dwelling elderly

Depression in the elderly is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of depression among community-dwelling older population in an urban setting in Turkey. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 482 elderly individuals 65 years and over in an urban area. Cluster sampling method was used for sample size. Depression in the elderly had been diagnosed by a clinical interview and Geriatric Depression Scale. Data were collected by door-to-door survey. Chi square test was used for statistical analysis. P value, which was calculated by the results of chi square test and coefficient of phi (φ), below 0.05 was included in the analysis of logistic regression. Depression was significantly associated with female gender, being single or divorced, lower educational status, low income, unemployment, and lack of health insurance. However, logistic regression analysis revealed higher depression rates in the elderly with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, psychiatric disease, cerebrovascular disease, low income and being dependent. Depression is common among community-dwelling older people in an urban area of Izmir, Turkey. Older adults living in community should be cautiously screened to prevent or manage depression.     

Demodex positive discoid lupus erythematosus: Is it a separate entity or an overlap syndrome?

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic inflammatory erythematous skin disease that can be triggered by several factors. Rosacea is another skin disease that causes facial redness and tenderness. Demodex mites have been reported in rosacea and DLE patients commonly in the literature. These two diseases can be seen concomitant, mimic each other clinically and share common possible etiologic factors. To assess demodex mite infestation in both clinical and histopathological findings in DLE patients. We retrospectively evaluated the files of 42 patients with DLE who had been diagnosed DLE based on clinical and histopathological findings between August 2018 and August 2019. Demodex positivity was detected 50% of patients (n = 21). Neutrophile percentages in the dermal and perivascular area were higher in the demodex positive patients (4.43%) than in the Demodex negative patients (2.19%). The intensity of demodex mites correlated positively with dermal neutrophile percentages. ANA was negative in 29 patients (69%) and positive in 13 patients (31%). Anti‐dsDNA was negative in serology and follicular plugging was positive in histopathology in all 42 patients (100%). This was a retrospective study. DLE and rosacea share common features in etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation. Inflammation and exacerbations caused by the demodex mites may increase the clinical severity of DLE. Although the position of demodex mites in DLE etiopathogenesis is not known exactly, the presence of high demodex in DLE patients has been determined. Standard skin surface biopsy can be a routine procedure for the evaluation of DLE patients in daily clinical practice.