The Antibody Targeting the E314 Peptide of Human Kv1.3 Pore Region Serves as a Novel, Potent and Specific Channel Blocker

Selective blockade of Kv1.3 channels in effector memory T (TEM) cells was validated to ameliorate autoimmune or autoimmune-associated diseases. We generated the antibody directed against one peptide of human Kv1.3 (hKv1.3) extracellular loop as a novel and possible Kv1.3 blocker. One peptide of hKv1.3 extracellular loop E3 containing 14 amino acids (E314) was chosen as an antigenic determinant to generate the E314 antibody. The E314 antibody specifically recognized 63.8KD protein stably expressed in hKv1.3-HEK 293 cell lines, whereas it did not recognize or cross-react to human Kv1.1(hKv1.1), Kv1.2(hKv1.2), Kv1.4(hKv1.4), Kv1.5(hKv1.5), KCa3.1(hKCa3.1), HERG, hKCNQ1/hKCNE1, Nav1.5 and Cav1.2 proteins stably expressed in HEK 293 cell lines or in human atrial or ventricular myocytes by Western blotting analysis and immunostaining detection. By the technique of whole-cell patch clamp, the E314 antibody was shown to have a directly inhibitory effect on hKv1.3 currents expressed in HEK 293 or Jurkat T cells and the inhibition showed a concentration-dependence. However, it exerted no significant difference on hKv1.1, hKv1.2, hKv1.4, hKv1.5, hKCa3.1, HERG, hKCNQ1/hKCNE1, L-type Ca2+ or voltage-gated Na+ currents. The present study demonstrates that the antibody targeting the E314 peptide of hKv1.3 pore region could be a novel, potent and specific hKv1.3 blocker without affecting a variety of closely related Kv1 channels, KCa3.1 channels and functional cardiac ion channels underlying central nervous systerm (CNS) disorders or drug-acquired arrhythmias, which is required as a safe clinic-promising channel blocker

Green Pathways for the Enzymatic Synthesis of Furan-Based Polyesters and Polyamides

The attention towards the utilization of sustainable feedstocks for polymer synthesis has grown exponentially in recent years. One of the spotlighted monomers derived from renewable resources is 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), one of the most promising bio-based monomers, due to its resemblance to petroleum-based terephthalic acid. Very interesting synthetic routes using this monomer have been reported in the last two decades. Combining the use of bio-based monomers and non-toxic chemicals via enzymatic polymerizations can lead to a robust and favorable approach towards a greener technology of bio-based polymer production. In this chapter, a brief introduction to FDCA-based monomers and enzymatic polymerizations is given, particularly focusing on furan-based polymers and their polymerization. In addition, an outline of the recent developments in the field of enzymatic polymerizations is discussed. </p

Immunotherapy-responsive limbic encephalitis with antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) has been recently identified as a target of humoral autoimmunity in a small subgroup of patients with non-paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (NPLE). We present a patient with NPLE and positive anti-GAD antibodies who showed significant improvement after long-term immunotherapy. A 48-year old female was admitted with a two-year history of anterograde amnesia and seizures. Brain MRI revealed bilateral lesions of medial temporal lobes. Screening for anti-neuronal antibodies showed high anti-GAD titers in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with strong evidence of intrathecal production. The patient received treatment with prednisolone and long-term plasma exchange. During a 12-month follow-up, she exhibited complete seizure remission and an improvement in memory and visuo-spatial skills. Anti-GAD antibodies may serve as a useful marker to identify a subset of NPLE patients that respond to immunoregulatory treatment. © 2014 Elsevier B.V

Contrasting patterns of deficits in visuospatial memory and executive function in patients with major depression with and without ECT referral

Background The pretreatment neuropsychological profile of drug-resistant patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) referred for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may differ from that of their drug-respondent MDD counterparts. Such differences could help in identifying distinct MDD subtypes, thus offering insights into the neuropathology underlying differential treatment responses.Method Depressed patients with ECT referral (ECTs), depressed patients with no ECT referral (NECTs) and non-psychiatric Controls (matched groups, n=15) were assessed with memory and executive function tests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB).Results ECTs scored significantly lower than NECTs in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE; p=0.01). NECTs performed worse than Controls in the Paired Associates Learning (PAL) task (p&lt;0.03; Control/NECT p&lt;0.01) and the Spatial Recognition Memory (SRM) task (p&lt;0.05; Controls/NECTs p&lt;0.05); ECTs performed between Controls and NECTs, not differing from either. In the Intra/Extradimensional (IED) set-shifting task, ECTs performed worse that Controls and NECTS (IED: p&lt;0.01; Controls/ECTs p&lt;0.01), particularly in the shift phases, which suggests reduced attentional flexibility. In Stockings of Cambridge (SOC), ECTs abandoned the test early more often than Controls and NECTs (H=11, p&lt;0.01) but ECTs who completed SOC performed comparably to the other two groups. Conclusions A double dissociation emerged from the comparison of cognitive profiles of ECT and NECT patients. ECTs showed executive deficits, particularly in attentional flexibility, but mild deficits in tests of visuospatial memory. NECTs presented the opposite pattern. This suggests predominantly frontostriatal involvement in ECT versus temporal involvement in NECT depressives. © Cambridge University Press 2010

Epidemiology of Mucormycosis in Greece; Results from a Nationwide Prospective Survey and Published Case Reports

Mucormycosis has emerged as a group of severe infections mainly in immunocompromised patients. We analysed the epidemiology of mucormycosis in Greece in a multicentre, nationwide prospective survey of patients of all ages, during 2005–2022. A total of 108 cases were recorded. The annual incidence declined after 2009 and appeared stable thereafter, at 0.54 cases/million population. The most common forms were rhinocerebral (51.8%), cutaneous (32.4%), and pulmonary (11.1%). Main underlying conditions were haematologic malignancy/neutropenia (29.9%), haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (4.7%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (15.9%), other immunodeficiencies (23.4%), while 22.4% of cases involved immunocompetent individuals with cutaneous/soft-tissue infections after motor vehicle accident, surgical/iatrogenic trauma, burns, and injuries associated with natural disasters. Additionally, DM or steroid-induced DM was reported as a comorbidity in 21.5% of cases with various main conditions. Rhizopus (mostly R. arrhizus) predominated (67.1%), followed by Lichtheimia (8.5%) and Mucor (6.1%). Antifungal treatment consisted mainly of liposomal amphotericin B (86.3%), median dose 7 mg/kg/day, range 3–10 mg/kg/day, with or without posaconazole. Crude mortality was 62.8% during 2005–2008 but decreased significantly after 2009, at 34.9% (p = 0.02), with four times fewer haematological cases, fewer iatrogenic infections, and fewer cases with advanced rhinocerebral form. The increased DM prevalence should alert clinicians for timely diagnosis of mucormycosis in this patient population. © 2023 by the authors

Effects of alcohol consumption and the metabolic syndrome on 10-year incidence of diabetes: The ATTICA study

Aim: The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the effect of alcohol consumption on the 10-year diabetes incidence. Methods: In 2001-2002, a random sample of 1514 men (18-89 years old) and 1528 women (18-87 years old) was selected to participate in the ATTICA study (Athens metropolitan area, Greece). Among various other characteristics, average daily alcohol intakes (abstention, low, moderate, high) and type of alcoholic drink were evaluated. Diabetes was defined according to American Diabetes Association criteria. During 2011-2012, the 10-year follow-up was performed. Results: The 10-year incidence of diabetes was 13.4% in men and 12.4% in women. After making various adjustments, those who consumed up to 1 glass/day of alcohol had a 53% lower diabetes risk (RR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.83) compared with abstainers, while trend analysis revealed a significant U-shaped relationship between quantity of alcohol drunk and diabetes incidence (P&lt; 0.001 for trend). Specific types of drinks were not associated with diabetes incidence; however, a one-unit increase in ratio of wine/beer/vodka vs. other spirits was associated with an 89% lower risk of diabetes (RR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.67). The protective effect of low alcohol consumption on diabetes incidence was more prominent among individuals with stricter adherence to the Mediterranean diet (RR = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.011, 0.70) and without the metabolic syndrome (RR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.70). Conclusion: This work revealed the protective effect of modest alcohol consumption of particularly wine and beer against the long-term incidence of diabetes, possibly due to their pleiotropic health effects. © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS