Grape berry responses to sequential flooding and heatwave events: a physiological, transcriptional, and metabolic overview

Grapevine cultivation, such as the whole horticulture, is currently challenged by several factors, among which the extreme weather events occurring under the climate change scenario are the most relevant. Within this context, the present study aims at characterizing at the berry level the physiological response of Vitis vinifera cv. Sauvignon Blanc to sequential stresses simulated under a semi-controlled environment: flooding at bud-break followed by multiple summer stress (drought plus heatwave) occurring at pre-vèraison. Transcriptomic and metabolomic assessments were performed through RNASeq and NMR, respectively. A comprehensive hormone profiling was also carried out. Results pointed out a different response to the heatwave in the two situations. Flooding caused a developmental advance, determining a different physiological background in the berry, thus affecting its response to the summer stress at both transcriptional levels, with the upregulation of genes involved in oxidative stress responses, and metabolic level, with the increase in osmoprotectants, such as proline and other amino acids. In conclusion, sequential stress, including a flooding event at bud-break followed by a summer heatwave, may impact phenological development and berry ripening, with possible consequences on berry and wine quality. A berry physiological model is presented that may support the development of sustainable vineyard management solutions to improve the water use efficiency and adaptation capacity of actual viticultural systems to future scenario

Present and Future of Parkinson’s Disease in Spain: PARKINSON-2030 Delphi Project

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive and irreversible disease and the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. In Spain, it affects around 120.000-150.000 individuals, and its prevalence is estimated to increase in the future. PD has a great impact on patients' and caregivers' lives and also entails a substantial socioeconomic burden. The aim of the present study was to examine the current situation and the 10-year PD forecast for Spain in order to optimize and design future management strategies. This study was performed using the modified Delphi method to try to obtain a consensus among a panel of movement disorders experts. According to the panel, future PD management will improve diagnostic capacity and follow-up, it will include multidisciplinary teams, and innovative treatments will be developed. The expansion of new technologies and studies on biomarkers will have an impact on future PD management, leading to more accurate diagnoses, prognoses, and individualized therapies. However, the socio-economic impact of the disease will continue to be significant by 2030, especially for patients in advanced stages. This study highlighted the unmet needs in diagnosis and treatment and how crucial it is to establish recommendations for future diagnostic and therapeutic management of PD

Clinical autonomic nervous system laboratories in Europe. A joint survey of the European Academy of Neurology and the European Federation of Autonomic Societies

Background and purpose: Disorders of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are common conditions, but it is unclear whether access to ANS healthcare provision is homogeneous across European countries. The aim of this study was to identify neurology-driven or interdisciplinary clinical ANS laboratories in Europe, describe their characteristics and explore regional differences. Methods: We contacted the European national ANS and neurological societies, as well as members of our professional network, to identify clinical ANS laboratories in each country and invite them to answer a web-based survey. Results: We identified 84 laboratories in 22 countries and 46 (55%) answered the survey. All laboratories perform cardiovascular autonomic function tests, and 83% also perform sweat tests. Testing for catecholamines and autoantibodies are performed in 63% and 56% of laboratories, and epidermal nerve fiber density analysis in 63%. Each laboratory is staffed by a median of two consultants, one resident, one technician and one nurse. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) number of head-up tilt tests/laboratory/year is 105 (49–251). Reflex syncope and neurogenic orthostatic hypotension are the most frequently diagnosed cardiovascular ANS disorders. Thirty-five centers (76%) have an ANS outpatient clinic, with a median (IQR) of 200 (100–360) outpatient visits/year; 42 centers (91%) also offer inpatient care (median 20 [IQR 4–110] inpatient stays/year). Forty-one laboratories (89%) are involved in research activities. We observed a significant difference in the geographical distribution of ANS services among European regions: 11 out of 12 countries from North/West Europe have at least one ANS laboratory versus 11 out of 21 from South/East/Greater Europe (p = 0.021). Conclusions: This survey highlights disparities in the availability of healthcare services for people with ANS disorders across European countries, stressing the need for improved access to specialized care in South, East and Greater Europe

Dysautonomia in COVID-19 patients: a narrative review on clinical course, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies

IntroductionOn March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization sounded the COVID-19 pandemic alarm. While efforts in the first few months focused on reducing the mortality of infected patients, there is increasing data on the effects of long-term infection (Post-COVID-19 condition). Among the different symptoms described after acute infection, those derived from autonomic dysfunction are especially frequent and limiting. ObjectiveTo conduct a narrative review synthesizing current evidence of the signs and symptoms of dysautonomia in patients diagnosed with COVID-19, together with a compilation of available treatment guidelines. ResultsAutonomic dysfunction associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs at different temporal stages. Some of the proposed pathophysiological mechanisms include direct tissue damage, immune dysregulation, hormonal disturbances, elevated cytokine levels, and persistent low-grade infection. Acute autonomic dysfunction has a direct impact on the mortality risk, given its repercussions on the respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems. Iatrogenic autonomic dysfunction is a side effect caused by the drugs used and/or admission to the intensive care unit. Finally, late dysautonomia occurs in 2.5% of patients with Post-COVID-19 condition. While orthostatic hypotension and neurally-mediated syncope should be considered, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) appears to be the most common autonomic phenotype among these patients. A review of diagnostic and treatment guidelines focused on each type of dysautonomic condition was done. ConclusionSymptoms deriving from autonomic dysfunction involvement are common in those affected by COVID-19. These symptoms have a great impact on the quality of life both in the short and medium to long term. A better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of Post-COVID manifestations that affect the autonomic nervous system, and targeted therapeutic management could help reduce the sequelae of COVID-19, especially if we act in the earliest phases of the disease

Severity dependent distribution of impairments in PSP and CBS: Interactive visualizations

BACKGROUND: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) -Richardson's Syndrome and Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS) are the two classic clinical syndromes associated with underlying four repeat (4R) tau pathology. The PSP Rating Scale is a commonly used assessment in PSP clinical trials; there is an increasing interest in designing combined 4R tauopathy clinical trials involving both CBS and PSP. OBJECTIVES: To determine contributions of each domain of the PSP Rating Scale to overall severity and characterize the probable sequence of clinical progression of PSP as compared to CBS. METHODS: Multicenter clinical trial and natural history study data were analyzed from 545 patients with PSP and 49 with CBS. Proportional odds models were applied to model normalized cross-sectional PSP Rating Scale, estimating the probability that a patient would experience impairment in each domain using the PSP Rating Scale total score as the index of overall disease severity. RESULTS: The earliest symptom domain to demonstrate impairment in PSP patients was most likely to be Ocular Motor, followed jointly by Gait/Midline and Daily Activities, then Limb Motor and Mentation, and finally Bulbar. For CBS, Limb Motor manifested first and ocular showed less probability of impairment throughout the disease spectrum. An online tool to visualize predicted disease progression was developed to predict relative disability on each subscale per overall disease severity. CONCLUSION: The PSP Rating Scale captures disease severity in both PSP and CBS. Modelling how domains change in relation to one other at varying disease severities may facilitate detection of therapeutic effects in future clinical trials

Motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease and their impact on quality of life and on different clinical subgroups

Introduction: The aim of the present study is to analyse the influence that motor and non-motor symptoms have on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and to study the relationship between the two types of symptoms. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study included 103 patients with PD (55 men and 48 women). Quality of life was measured on the PDQ-39 scale. The UPDRS scale (I-IV) was also used, and different items were grouped to analyse the presence of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and axial symptoms. The non-motor symptoms scale (NMSS) was administered to assess non-motor symptoms. We performed correlation analyses between different scales to analyse the influence of motor and non-motor symptoms on QoL. Results: Correlations were observed between the PDQ-39 summary index (PDQ39 SI) and the NMSS (correlation coefficient [cc], 0.56; P < .001), UPDRS III (cc, 0.44; P < .001) and UPDRS IV (cc, 0.37; P < .001) scores. The strongest correlation was between cognitive symptoms and mood. The analysis pointed to a direct relationship between the NMSS score and axial symptoms (cc, 0.384; P < .01), bradykinesia (cc, 0.299; P < .01), and to a lesser extent, rigidity (cc, 0.194; P < .05). No relationship was observed between presence of tremor and the NMSS score. Conclusion: Cognitive symptoms and mood exert the most influence on QoL of patients with PD. We found at least two phenotypes; one with predominantly axial symptoms, with significant involvement of non-motor symptoms, and a tremor-associated phenotype in which these symptoms are less prevalent. Resumen: Objetivos: El objetivo del presente trabajo es contrastar la influencia que presentan los síntomas motores y no motores en la calidad de vida de los pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson (EP), y observar la asociación entre ambos tipos de síntomas. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal que incluye 103 pacientes con EP (55 hombres y 48 mujeres). La calidad de vida fue estudiada con la escala 39-Item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). También se administró la escala Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS I-IV), agrupando diferentes ítems para analizar la presencia de temblor, rigidez, bradicinesia y síntomas axiales para definir los subgrupos clínicos. Para valorar los síntomas no motores, administramos la non-motor symptoms scale (NMSS). Se hicieron estudios de correlación entre las diferentes escalas para ver la influencia sobre la calidad de vida de síntomas motores y no motores. Resultados: Se observaron correlaciones entre las puntuaciones en el PDQ-39 Summary Index (PDQ-39_SI) y la NMSS (cc: 0,56; p < 0,001), UPDRS III (cc: 0,44; p < 0,001) y con la UPDRS IV; (cc: 0,37; p < 0,001). La mayor relación correspondía a los síntomas cognitivos y del estado de ánimo. Existe relación directa entre la puntuación en la NMSS y los síntomas axiales (cc: 0,384; p < 0,01); bradicinesia (cc: 0,299; p < 0,01) y en menor medida rigidez (cc: 0,194; p < 0,05). No se observó ninguna relación entre la presencia de temblor y la puntuación en la NMSS. Conclusión: Hay un mayor peso de los síntomas cognitivos y del estado de ánimo sobre la calidad de vida de los pacientes con EP. Hay al menos 2 fenotipos claramente diferenciados, uno con predominancia de síntomas axiales donde hay una gran afectación de síntomas no motores y un fenotipo tremórico con una significativa menor presencia de los mismos. Keywords: Parkinson's disease, NMSS scale, Quality of life, Palabras clave: Enfermedad de Parkinson, Non-motor symptoms scale, Calidad de vid

Multiple system atrophy: Clinical, evolutive and histopathological characteristics of a series of cases

Background and objective: Multiple system atrophy is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by autonomic dysfunction in association with either parkinsonism or cerebellar signs. The pathologic hallmark is the presence of alpha-synuclein aggregates in oligodendrocytes, forming glial cytoplasmic inclusions. Clinically, it may be difficult to distinguish form other parkinsonisms or ataxias, particularly in the early stages of the disease. In this case series we aim to describe in detail the features of MSA patients. Material and methods: Unified MSA Rating Scale (UMSARS) score, structural and functional imaging and cardiovascular autonomic testing, are summarized since early stages of the disease. Results: UMSARS proved to be useful to perform a follow-up being longitudinal examination essential to stratify risk of poor outcome. Neuropathological diagnosis showed an overlap between parkinsonian and cerebellar subtypes, with some peculiarities that could help to distinguish from other subtypes. Conclusion: A better description of MSA features with standardized test confirmed by means of neuropathological studies could help to increase sensitivity. Resumen: Antecedentes y objetivo: La atrofia multisistémica es un trastorno neurodegenerativo raro y letal que se caracteriza por una disfunción autonómica en asociación con parkinsonismo o signos cerebelosos. La marca anatomopatológica es la presencia de agregados de α-sinucleína en los oligodendrocitos, que forman inclusiones citoplasmáticas gliales. Desde un punto de vista clínico, puede ser difícil de distinguir de otros parkinsonismos o ataxias, particularmente en las primeras etapas de la enfermedad. En esta serie de casos, nuestro objetivo es describir en detalle las características de los pacientes con atrofia multisistémica. Material y métodos: Se resumen los datos objetidos de la puntuación de la Escala de calificación unificada de la atrofia multisistémica (UMSARS), imágenes estructurales y funcionales y las pruebas autonómicas cardiovasculares realizadas desde las primeras etapas de la enfermedad. Resultados: La escala UMSAR demostró ser útil para hacer un seguimiento: el examen longitudinal esencial fue para estratificar el riesgo de peor evolución. El diagnóstico neuropatológico mostró un solapamiento entre los subtipos parkinsoniano y cerebeloso, con algunas peculiaridades que podrían ayudar a distinguir los subtipos. Conclusión: Una mejor descripción de las características de la atrofia multisistémica en casos confirmados mediante neuropatología podría ayudar a aumentar la sensibilidad del diagnóstico

Síntomas no motores y motores en la enfermedad de Parkinson y su relación con la calidad de vida y los distintos subgrupos clínicos

Resumen: Objetivos: El objetivo del presente trabajo es contrastar la influencia que presentan los síntomas motores y no motores en la calidad de vida de los pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson (EP), y observar la asociación entre ambos tipos de síntomas. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal que incluye 103 pacientes con EP (55 hombres y 48 mujeres). La calidad de vida fue estudiada con la escala 39-Item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). También se administró la escala Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS I-IV), agrupando diferentes ítems para analizar la presencia de temblor, rigidez, bradicinesia y síntomas axiales para definir los subgrupos clínicos. Para valorar los síntomas no motores, administramos la non-motor symptoms scale (NMSS). Se hicieron estudios de correlación entre las diferentes escalas para ver la influencia sobre la calidad de vida de síntomas motores y no motores. Resultados: Se observaron correlaciones entre las puntuaciones en el PDQ-39 Summary Index (PDQ-39_SI) y la NMSS (cc: 0,56; p < 0,001), UPDRS III (cc: 0,44; p < 0,001) y con la UPDRS IV; (cc: 0,37; p < 0,001). La mayor relación correspondía a los síntomas cognitivos y del estado de ánimo. Existe relación directa entre la puntuación en la NMSS y los síntomas axiales (cc: 0,384; p < 0,01); bradicinesia (cc: 0,299; p < 0,01) y en menor medida rigidez (cc: 0,194; p < 0,05). No se observó ninguna relación entre la presencia de temblor y la puntuación en la NMSS. Conclusión: Hay un mayor peso de los síntomas cognitivos y del estado de ánimo sobre la calidad de vida de los pacientes con EP. Hay al menos 2 fenotipos claramente diferenciados uno con predominancia de síntomas axiales donde hay una gran afectación de síntomas no motores y un fenotipo tremórico con una significativa menor presencia de los mismos. Abstract: Introduction: The aim of the present study is to analyse the influence that motor and non-motor symptoms have on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and to study the relationship between the two types of symptoms. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study included 103 patients with PD (55 men and 48 women). Quality of life was measured on the PDQ-39 scale. The UPDRS scale (I-IV) was also used, and different items were grouped to analyse the presence of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and axial symptoms. The non-motor symptoms scale (NMSS) was administered to assess non-motor symptoms. We performed correlation analyses between different scales to analyse the influence of motor and non-motor symptoms on QoL. Results: Correlations were observed between the PDQ-39 summary index (PDQ39_SI) and the NMSS (correlation coefficient [cc], 0.56; p < .001), UPDRS III (cc, 0.44; p <  .001) and UPDRS IV (cc, 0.37; p < .001) scores. The strongest correlation was between cognitive symptoms and mood. The analysis pointed to a direct relationship between the NMSS score and axial symptoms (cc, 0.384; p < .01), bradykinesia (cc, 0.299; p < .01), and to a lesser extent, rigidity (cc, 0.194; p < .05). No relationship was observed between presence of tremor and the NMSS score. Conclusion: Cognitive symptoms and mood exert the most influence on QoL of patients with PD. We found at least two phenotypes; one with predominantly axial symptoms, with significant involvement of non-motor symptoms, and a tremor-associated phenotype in which these symptoms are less prevalent. Palabras clave: Enfermedad de Parkinson, Non-motor symptoms scale, Calidad de vida, Keywords: Parkinson's disease, NMSS scale, Quality of lif