Pathologic RFC1 repeat expansions do not contribute to the development of inflammatory neuropathies

Biallelic expansions of the AAGGG repeat in the replication factor C subunit 1 (RFC1) have recently been described to be responsible for cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome. This genetic alteration has also allowed genetic classification in up to one-third of cases with idiopathic sensory neuropathy. Here, we screened a well-characterized cohort of inflammatory neuropathy patients for RFC1 repeat expansions to explore whether RFC1 was increased from background rates and possibly involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory neuropathy. A total of 259 individuals with inflammatory neuropathy and 243 healthy controls were screened for the AAGGG repeat expansion using short-range flanking PCR and repeat-primed PCR. Cases without amplifiable PCR product on flanking PCR and positive repeat-primed PCR were also tested for the mostly non-pathogenic expansions of the AAAGG and AAAAG repeat units. None of the patients showed biallelic AAGGG expansion of RFC1, and their carrier frequency for AAGGG was comparable with controls [n = 27 (5.2%) and n = 23 (4.7%), respectively; P > 0.5]. Data suggest that the pathologic expansions of AAGGG repeats do not contribute to the development of inflammatory neuropathies nor lead to misdiagnosed cases. Accordingly, routine genetic screening for RFC1 repeat expansion is not indicated in this patient population

Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, vestibular areflexia syndrome due to RFC1 repeat expansion.

Ataxia, causing imbalance, dizziness and falls, is a leading cause of neurological disability. We have recently identified a biallelic intronic AAGGG repeat expansion in replication factor complex subunit 1 (RFC1) as the cause of cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) and a major cause of late onset ataxia. Here we describe the full spectrum of the disease phenotype in our first 100 genetically confirmed carriers of biallelic repeat expansions in RFC1 and identify the sensory neuropathy as a common feature in all cases to date. All patients were Caucasian and half were sporadic. Patients typically reported progressive unsteadiness starting in the sixth decade. A dry spasmodic cough was also frequently associated and often preceded by decades the onset of walking difficulty. Sensory symptoms, oscillopsia, dysautonomia and dysarthria were also variably associated. The disease seems to follow a pattern of spatial progression from the early involvement of sensory neurons, to the later appearance of vestibular and cerebellar dysfunction. Half of the patients needed walking aids after 10 years of disease duration and a quarter were wheelchair dependent after 15 years. Overall, two-thirds of cases had full CANVAS. Sensory neuropathy was the only manifestation in 15 patients. Sixteen patients additionally showed cerebellar involvement, and six showed vestibular involvement. The disease is very likely to be underdiagnosed. Repeat expansion in RFC1 should be considered in all cases of sensory ataxic neuropathy, particularly, but not only, if cerebellar dysfunction, vestibular involvement and cough coexist

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for treatment of multiple sclerosis

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is a multistep procedure that enables destruction of the immune system and its reconstitution from haematopoietic stem cells. Originally developed for the treatment of haematological malignancies, the procedure has been adapted for the treatment of severe immune-mediated disorders. Results from ~20 years of research make a compelling case for selective use of AHSCT in patients with highly active multiple sclerosis (MS), and for controlled trials. Immunological studies support the notion that AHSCT causes qualitative immune resetting, and have provided insight into the mechanisms that might underlie the powerful treatment effects that last well beyond recovery of immune cell numbers. Indeed, studies have demonstrated that AHSCT can entirely suppress MS disease activity for 4–5 years in 70–80% of patients, a rate that is higher than those achieved with any other therapies for MS. Treatment-related mortality, which was 3.6% in studies before 2005, has decreased to 0.3% in studies since 2005. Current evidence indicates that the patients who are most likely to benefit from and tolerate AHSCT are young, ambulatory and have inflammatory MS activity. Clinical trials are required to rigorously test the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of AHSCT against highly active MS drugs

Unusual upper limb features in SORD neuropathy

No abstract availabl

Unusual upper limb features in SORD neuropathy

No abstract availabl

Severe distinct dysautonomia in RFC1-related disease associated with Parkinsonism

BACKGROUND: Biallelic repeat expansions in RFC1 have recently been found to cause cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS). Additional features that have been described include Parkinsonism and a multiple system atrophy (MSA)-like syndrome. CANVAS can include features of dysautonomia, but they are much milder than typically seen in MSA. METHODS: We report a detailed autonomic phenotype of multisystem RFC1-related disease presenting initially as CANVAS. RESULTS: Our patient presented aged 61 with a sensory ataxic neuropathy who rapidly developed widespread autonomic failure and Parkinsonism. The autonomic profile was of a mixed pre- and post-ganglionic syndrome with progressive involvement of sympathetic and parasympathetic cardiovascular and sudomotor function. The Parkinsonism did not respond to levodopa. CONCLUSION: We present a patient with CANVAS and biallelic RFC1 expansions who developed Parkinsonism with severe autonomic involvement similar to that seen in classical MSA. The link between MSA and CANVAS remains uncertain. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved