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Microorganisms May 2024Verifying the inclusivity of molecular detection methods gives indications about the reliability of viral infection diagnosis because of the tendency of viral pathogens...
Verifying the inclusivity of molecular detection methods gives indications about the reliability of viral infection diagnosis because of the tendency of viral pathogens to undergo sequence variation. This study was aimed at selecting inclusive probes based on reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays for the diagnosis of the most widespread and detrimental viruses infecting honeybees, namely the acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), the black queen cell virus (BQCV), the chronic paralysis bee virus (CBPV), the deformed wing virus variants A (DWVA) and B (DWVB), and the sacbrood virus (SBV). Therefore, previously described detection methods were re-evaluated in silico for their specificity and inclusivity. Based on this evaluation, selected methods were modified, or new ones were designed and tested in duplex RT-qPCR reactions. The limits of detection (LODs), effect of multiplexing on sensitivity and the viral RNA quantification potential in bees and hive debris were assessed. This study made available diagnostic assays able to detect an increased number of virus variants compared with previously described tests and two viral pathogens in a single PCR reaction.
PubMed: 38930487
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061105 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024: Changes in activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) of patients with bone metastasis who underwent surgical treatment through Bone Metastasis Cancer...
Evaluation of Changes in Activities of Daily Living and Quality of Life of Patients with Bone Metastasis Who Underwent Conservative Therapy through Bone Metastasis Cancer Boards.
: Changes in activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) of patients with bone metastasis who underwent surgical treatment through Bone Metastasis Cancer Boards (BMCBs), a recent multidisciplinary approach for managing bone metastases, have been reported; however, no reports exist on patients who undergo conservative treatment. In this study, we aimed to evaluate these patients' ADL and QOL and examine the factors influencing changes in these parameters. : We retrospectively reviewed 200 patients with bone metastases who underwent conservative therapy through BMCBs between 2013 and 2021. A reassessment was conducted within 2-8 weeks after the initial assessment. Patients' background and changes in performance status (PS), Barthel Index (BI), EuroQol five-dimension (EQ-5D) scores, and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores were initially assessed. Furthermore, we categorized patients into two groups based on improvements or deteriorations in ADL and QOL and performed comparative analyses. : Significant improvements in EQ-5D (0.57 ± 0.02 versus [vs.] 0.64 ± 0.02), NRS max (5.21 ± 0.24 vs. 3.56 ± 0.21), and NRS average (2.98 ± 0.18 vs. 1.85 ± 0.13) scores were observed between the initial assessment and reassessment (all < 0.001). PS (1.84 ± 0.08 vs. 1.72 ± 0.08) and BI (83.15 ± 1.68 vs. 84.42 ± 1.73) also showed improvements ( = 0.06, and 0.054, respectively). In addition, spinal cord paralysis (odds ratio [OR]: 3.69, = 0.049; OR: 8.42, < 0.001), chemotherapy (OR: 0.43, = 0.02; OR: 0.25, = 0.007), and NRS average scores (OR: 0.38, = 0.02; OR: 0.14, < 0.001) were independent factors associated with ADL and QOL. : Patients with bone metastases who underwent conservative treatment through BMCBs exhibited an increase in QOL without a decline in ADL. The presence of spinal cord paralysis, absence of chemotherapy, and poor pain control were associated with a higher risk of deterioration in ADL and QOL.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Bone Neoplasms; Activities of Daily Living; Female; Male; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Aged; Conservative Treatment; Aged, 80 and over; Adult
PubMed: 38929523
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060906 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024A ganglion cyst is a benign mass consisting of high-viscosity mucinous fluid. It can originate from the sheath of a tendon, peripheral nerve, or joint capsule....
A ganglion cyst is a benign mass consisting of high-viscosity mucinous fluid. It can originate from the sheath of a tendon, peripheral nerve, or joint capsule. Compressive neuropathy caused by a ganglion cyst is rarely reported, with the majority of documented cases involving peroneal nerve palsy. To date, cases demonstrating both peroneal and tibial nerve palsies resulting from a ganglion cyst forming on a branch of the sciatic nerve have not been reported. In this paper, we present the case of a 74-year-old man visiting an outpatient clinic complaining of left-sided foot drop and sensory loss in the lower extremity, a lack of strength in his left leg, and a decrease in sensation in the leg for the past month without any history of trauma. Ankle dorsiflexion and great toe extension strength on the left side were Grade I. Ankle plantar flexion and great toe flexion were Grade II. We suspected peroneal and tibial nerve palsy and performed a screening ultrasound, which is inexpensive and rapid. In the operative field, several cysts were discovered, originating at the site where the sciatic nerve splits into peroneal and tibial nerves. After successful surgical decompression and a series of rehabilitation procedures, the patient's neurological symptoms improved. There was no recurrence.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Male; Ganglion Cysts; Peroneal Neuropathies; Peroneal Nerve; Tibial Nerve; Paralysis
PubMed: 38929493
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060876 -
Brain Sciences May 2024Conservative therapy is currently the elective treatment for peripheric facial palsy according to scientific literature. The success of conservative therapy is due to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Conservative therapy is currently the elective treatment for peripheric facial palsy according to scientific literature. The success of conservative therapy is due to physiotherapy and the application of its methods. The aim of this systematic review was to assess mirror therapy, a physiotherapeutic method.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the following systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of using mirror therapy in patients with peripheral paralysis of the seventh cranial nerve.
METHODS
This systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The screening of literature was carried out on Cochrane, PEDro, PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Web of Science databases up until August 2022. All studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 5 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. The risk of bias was evaluated with PEDro and Jadad scales.
DISCUSSION
In the present study, we reviewed 5 RCTs that compared mirror therapy with other physiotherapy treatments or placebo to reduce pain, depression and improve range of motion in patients with peripheric facial nerve palsy.
CONCLUSIONS
Further studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of this type of treatment, but nevertheless the data obtained are very encouraging.
PubMed: 38928530
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14060530 -
Cancers Jun 2024The optimal method for the second course of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for spinal metastases remains poorly established. This single-center, single-arm, phase...
PURPOSE
The optimal method for the second course of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for spinal metastases remains poorly established. This single-center, single-arm, phase II trial was conducted to propose a safe and effective salvage spine SBRT.
METHODS
The patients initially treated with SBRT for spine-targeted protocol treatment, or for areas adjacent to the spine, were enrolled. The second SBRT dose was 30 Gy delivered in five fractions; the spinal cord dose constraint was 15.5 Gy at the maximum point dose. The brachial or lumbosacral plexuses were dose-constrained to <30 Gy if the boundary between the nerves and tumors was detected. The primary endpoint was dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) (grade ≥ 3 severe radiation-related toxicity) within a year after the second SBRT.
RESULTS
The second SBRT was administered to the same spinal level in 12 patients and to an adjacent spinal level in 8 patients. SBRT2 was performed for 14 painful lesions, 10 MESCC, and 6 oligometastases, with some lesions having multiple indications. The median interval between SBRT sessions was 21 months (range: 6-51 months). The median follow-up duration was 14 months. No radiation myelopathy or local failure was reported during the follow-up period. DLT was confirmed in two patients (10%) within a year, both of whom developed grade 3 lumbosacral plexopathy. These two patients received SBRT twice to the S1-2 and S1-5 vertebrae, respectively, and both experienced paralysis of the tibialis anterior muscle (L5 level). Grade 3 late adverse effects (including lumbosacral plexopathy and vertebral compression fracture) were observed in 25% of the patients throughout the entire follow-up period.
CONCLUSIONS
The second spine SBRT achieved good local control without causing myelopathy. However, one-quarter of the patients experienced grade 3 late adverse effects, suggesting that the treatment protocol carries a risk of toxicity.
PubMed: 38927990
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122286 -
Genes May 2024Myogenic transcription factors with a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) such as MYOD, myogenin, MRF4, and MYF5 contribute to muscle differentiation and regulation. The gene...
Myogenic transcription factors with a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) such as MYOD, myogenin, MRF4, and MYF5 contribute to muscle differentiation and regulation. The gene located on chromosome 12 encodes for myogenic factor 5 (MYF5), which has a role in skeletal and extraocular muscle development and rib formation. Variants in were found to cause external ophthalmoplegia with rib and vertebral anomalies (EORVA), a rare recessive condition. To date, three homozygous variants in have been reported to cause EORVA in six members of four unrelated families. Here, we present a novel homozygous frameshift variant, c.596dupA p. (Asn199Lysfs*49), causing premature protein termination and presenting with external ophthalmoplegia, ptosis, and scoliosis in three siblings from a consanguineous family of Pakistani origin. With four variants now discovered, genetic testing and paediatric assessment for extra-ocular features should be considered in all cases of congenital ophthalmoplegia.
Topics: Humans; Frameshift Mutation; Male; Female; Myogenic Regulatory Factor 5; Ophthalmoplegia; Ribs; Pedigree; Spine; Child; Homozygote
PubMed: 38927634
DOI: 10.3390/genes15060699 -
Fukushima Journal of Medical Science Jun 20245-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is orally administered 2-4 hours before surgery to identify tumor location. Hypotension is sometimes observed after 5-ALA administration....
5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is orally administered 2-4 hours before surgery to identify tumor location. Hypotension is sometimes observed after 5-ALA administration. Case reoprtWe present a case of a patient with 5-ALA-induced hypotension that resulted in the development of cerebral infarction. An 83-year-old man with a bladder tumor was scheduled for photodynamic diagnosis-assisted transurethral resection of bladder tumor (PDD-TURBT) and right radical nephroureterectomy. 5-ALA was orally administered and his ordinary antihypertensive and antianginal agents were also administered an hour after 5-ALA administration. Following this, his blood pressure dropped, and he developed muscle weakness and paralysis in his left upper extremity. Magnetic resonance imaging showed evidence of cerebral infarction. ConclusionsWe cannot conclude definitively that our patient's cerebral infarction was solely caused by 5-ALA-induced hypotension because hypotension under these circumstances is not rare. We consider that additional factors, such as patient-specific doses of antihypertensive and antianginal agents may have played a role in the development of his cerebral infarction.
PubMed: 38925956
DOI: 10.5387/fms.24-00001 -
Neural Regeneration Research Apr 2024Schwann cells are essential for the maintenance and function of motor neurons, axonal networks, and the neuromuscular junction. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, where...
Schwann cells are essential for the maintenance and function of motor neurons, axonal networks, and the neuromuscular junction. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, where motor neuron function is progressively lost, Schwann cell function may also be impaired. Recently, important signaling and potential trophic activities of Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles have been reported. This case report describes the treatment of a patient with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using serial intravenous infusions of allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles, marking, to our knowledge, the first instance of such treatment. An 81-year-old male patient presented with a 1.5-year history of rapidly progressive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. After initial diagnosis, the patient underwent a combination of generic riluzole, sodium phenylbutyrate for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and taurursodiol. The patient volunteered to participate in an FDA-approved single-patient expanded access treatment and received weekly intravenous infusions of allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles to potentially restore impaired Schwann cell and motor neuron function. We confirmed that cultured Schwann cells obtained from the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient via sural nerve biopsy appeared impaired (senescent) and that exposure of the patient's Schwann cells to allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles, cultured expanded from a cadaver donor improved their growth capacity in vitro. After a period of observation lasting 10 weeks, during which amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised and pulmonary function were regularly monitored, the patient received weekly consecutive infusions of 1.54 × 1012 (×2), and then consecutive infusions of 7.5 × 1012 (×6) allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles diluted in 40 mL of Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline. None of the infusions were associated with adverse events such as infusion reactions (allergic or otherwise) or changes in vital signs. Clinical lab serum neurofilament and cytokine levels measured prior to each infusion varied somewhat without a clear trend. A more sensitive in-house assay suggested possible inflammasome activation during the disease course. A trend for clinical stabilization was observed during the infusion period. Our study provides a novel approach to address impaired Schwann cells and possibly motor neuron function in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles. Initial findings suggest that this approach is safe.
PubMed: 38922880
DOI: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01815 -
Toxins Jun 2024Claviceptaceous endophytic fungi in the genus mostly form a symbiotic relationship with cool-season grasses. spp. are capable of producing bioactive alkaloids such as... (Review)
Review
Claviceptaceous endophytic fungi in the genus mostly form a symbiotic relationship with cool-season grasses. spp. are capable of producing bioactive alkaloids such as peramines, lolines, ergot alkaloids, and indole-diterpenes, which protect the host plant from herbivory by animals, insects, and nematodes. The host also benefits from enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses, such as salt, drought, waterlogging, cold, heavy metals, and low nitrogen stress. The bioactive alkaloids produced can have both direct and indirect effects towards plant parasitic nematodes. Direct interaction with nematodes' motile stages can cause paralysis (nematostatic effect) or death (nematicidal effect). Indirectly, the metabolites may induce host immunity which inhibits feeding and subsequent nematode development. This review highlights the different mechanisms through which this interaction and the metabolites produced have been explored in the suppression of plant parasitic nematodes and also how the specific interactions between different grass genotypes and endophyte strains result in variable suppression of different nematode species. An understanding of the different grass-endophyte interactions and their successes and failures in suppressing various nematode species is essential to enable the proper selection of grass-endophyte combinations to identify the alkaloids produced, concentrations required, and determine which nematodes are sensitive to which specific alkaloids.
Topics: Animals; Alkaloids; Endophytes; Poaceae; Nematoda; Epichloe; Plant Diseases
PubMed: 38922168
DOI: 10.3390/toxins16060274 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology Jun 2024Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) represents a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of both upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in... (Review)
Review
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) represents a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of both upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in muscular atrophy and eventual paralysis. While much research has concentrated on investigating the impact of major mutations associated with ALS on motor neurons and central nervous system (CNS) cells, recent studies have unveiled that ALS pathogenesis extends beyond CNS imbalances, encompassing dysregulation in other tissues such as skeletal muscle. Evidence from animal models and patients supports this broader perspective. Skeletal muscle, once considered solely as an effector organ, is now recognized as possessing significant secretory activity capable of influencing motor neuron survival. However, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the detrimental effects observed in muscle and its associated structures in ALS remain poorly understood. Additionally, emerging data suggest that extracellular vesicles (EVs) may play a role in the establishment and function of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) under both physiological and pathological conditions and in wasting and regeneration of skeletal muscles, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. This review aims to explore the key findings about skeletal muscle involvement in ALS, shedding light on the potential underlying mechanisms and contributions of EVs and their possible application for the design of biosensors.
PubMed: 38921029
DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060358