Feasibility And Reproducibility Of Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Of The Fetal Brain In Twin-twin Transfusion Syndrome

Objective: The aim of this study is to test the feasibility and reproducibility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) evaluations of the fetal brains in cases of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Method: From May 2011 to June 2012, 24 patients with severe TTTS underwent MRI scans for evaluation of the fetal brains. Datasets were analyzed offline on axial DW images and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps by two radiologists. The subjective evaluation was described as the absence or presence of water diffusion restriction. The objective evaluation was performed by the placement of 20-mm2 circular regions of interest on the DW image and ADC maps. Subjective interobserver agreement was assessed by the kappa correlation coefficient. Objective intraobserver and interobserver agreements were assessed by proportionate Bland-Altman tests. Results: Seventy-four DW-MRI scans were performed. Sixty of them (81.1%) were considered to be of good quality. Agreement between the radiologists was 100% for the absence or presence of diffusion restriction of water. For both intraobserver and interobserver agreement of ADC measurements, proportionate Bland-Altman tests showed average percentage differences of less than 1.5% and 95% CI of less than 18% for all sites evaluated. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that DW-MRI evaluation of the fetal brain in TTTS is feasible and reproducible.341211821188Girard, N., Raybaud, C., Poncet, M., In vivo MR study of brain maturation in normal fetuses (1995) AJNR, 16, pp. 407-413Whitby, E., Paley, M.N., Davies, N., Ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging of central nervous system abnormalities in utero in the second and third trimester of pregnancy: comparison with ultrasound (2001) BJOG, 108, pp. 519-526Fogliarini, C., Chaumoitre, K., Chapon, F., Assessment of cortical maturation with prenatal MRI. 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Systemic acute-phase response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

Background: Cytokines are the main mediators of inflammation and the response to trauma. The purpose of this study was to compare variations in cytokine levels following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and mini-laparotomy cholecystectomy (OC), since these two types of operations were considered to be a unique model for examining the role of local tissue injury in postoperative inflammatory reactions. Methods: A total of 40 patients were studied. Eighteen of them underwent LC; the remaining 22 were operated on using the open technique. Systemic concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before and after the operation. In addition, we compared pre- and postoperative white blood cell (WBC) counts, postoperative body temperature, and length of postoperative hospitalization. Results: There was no difference between the two groups in IL-1 and TNF response. The rise in plasma IL-6 levels (18.86+/-9.61 vs 5.00+/-0.0 pg/ml, p<0.0001) and CRP (8.40&PLUSMN;5.81 vs 1.43&PLUSMN;1.30 mg/dl, p<0.001) were more marked after open cholecystectomy than after the laparoscopic procedure. There was no correlation between serum CRP concentrations and the other postoperative parameters. Conclusion: The magnitude of the acute-phase response was less pronounced following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, consistent with a reduction in tissue trauma

Phosphorylation of Parkin at serine 65 is essential for its activation in vivo

Mutations in PINK1 and Parkin result in autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease (PD). Cell culture and in vitro studies have elaborated the PINK1-dependent regulation of Parkin and defined how this dyad orchestrates the elimination of damaged mitochondria via mitophagy. PINK1 phosphorylates ubiquitin at serine 65 (Ser65) and Parkin at an equivalent Ser65 residue located within its N-terminal ubiquitin-like domain, resulting in activation; however, the physiological significance of Parkin Ser65 phosphorylation in vivo in mammals remains unknown. To address this, we generated a Parkin Ser65Ala (S65A) knock-in mouse model. We observe endogenous Parkin Ser65 phosphorylation and activation in mature primary neurons following mitochondrial depolarization and reveal this is disrupted in Parkin S65A/S65A neurons. Phenotypically, Parkin S65A/S65A mice exhibit selective motor dysfunction in the absence of any overt neurodegeneration or alterations in nigrostriatal mitophagy. The clinical relevance of our findings is substantiated by the discovery of homozygous PARKIN (PARK2) p.S65N mutations in two unrelated patients with PD. Moreover, biochemical and structural analysis demonstrates that the Parkin S65N/S65N mutant is pathogenic and cannot be activated by PINK1. Our findings highlight the central role of Parkin Ser65 phosphorylation in health and disease