Analysis of shared common genetic risk between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and epilepsy

Because hyper-excitability has been shown to be a shared pathophysiological mechanism, we used the latest and largest genome-wide studies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (n = 36,052) and epilepsy (n = 38,349) to determine genetic overlap between these conditions. First, we showed no significant genetic correlation, also when binned on minor allele frequency. Second, we confirmed the absence of polygenic overlap using genomic risk score analysis. Finally, we did not identify pleiotropic variants in meta-analyses of the 2 diseases. Our findings indicate that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and epilepsy do not share common genetic risk, showing that hyper-excitability in both disorders has distinct origins

Perfluoro Allyl Fluorosulfate (FAFS): A Versatile Building Block for New Fluoroallylic Compounds

molecule

RADICAL INDUCED REACTiON BETWEEN CF3OF AND AROMATICS

The reactivity of CF3OF has been widely studied especially in halogenated olefinic systems [1] and its use in pharmaceutical synthesis as a mild radical and electrophilic fluorinating agent is also well documented. On the other hand, the chemical behavior of the perfluoro-methyl-hypofluorite with aromatic substrates is much less studied. Up to now few and scattered data regarding its use as electrophilic fluorinating agent of variously substituted aromatic compounds are found in the literature. The reactivity of CF3OF with simple electron rich and electron poor aromatics (α,α,α-trifluoro-toluene, toluene, benzene, chloro-benzene, methoxybenzene) has been investigated. The possibility of selectively bind the trifluoro-methoxy group by varying the reaction conditions has been explored. The perfluoro-hypofluorite was obtained via direct fluorination of carbon monoxide. This reaction is recognized as a gas phase, radical and thus fast exothermic reaction. In the absence of proper temperature control the reaction is also prone to thermal run-away. To obtain a clean stream of CF3OF the direct fluorination of carbon monoxide has been studied and optimized in a newly designed stainless steel microreactor [2]. Its performances, in terms of operability and selectivity, have been compared with a standard reactor assembly. This research resulted in the development of a one-step synthesis of aromatic-trifluoro-ethers via radical addition [3]

Direct trifluoro-methoxylation of aromatics with perfluoro-methyl-hypofluorite

The reactivity of CF3OF (FTM) has been widely studied especially in halogenated olefinic systems and its use in pharmaceutical synthesis as a mild radical and electrophilic fluorinating agent is well documented. On the other hand, the chemical behavior of the perfluoro-methyl-hypofluorite with aromatic substrates is much less studied. Up to now few and scattered data regarding its use as electrophilic fluorinating agent of variously substituted aromatic compounds are found in the literature. In this work the reactivity of CF3OF with simple electron rich and electron poor aromatics (a,a,a-trifluoro-toluene, toluene, benzene, chloro-benzene, methoxybenzene) has been investigated. The possibility of selectively bind the trifluoro-methoxy group (via radical mechanism) or the fluorine atom (via electrophilic addition) by varying the reaction conditions has been explored. In particular we have observed that the trifluoromethoxy free radical substitution can be the main synthetic pathway if the reaction is promoted by an independent and steady source of CF3O radical

Chemical modification of Hyflon® AD copolymer end groups by means of physical and chemical treatments. A joint spectroscopic and quantum chemical investigation

In this paper is presented a study on the effects of physical treatments, namely electron beam irradiation or fluorination, on a perfluoropolymer copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene with 2,2,4-trifluoro-5-trifluoro- methoxy-1,3-dioxole (Hyflon AD copolymer). The analysis has been carried out by means of IR spectroscopy and quantum chemical modeling based on density functional theory; this combined experimental/theoretical approach has proven effective for the interpretation of previously unassigned IR bands, which are associated to functional groups generated by polymer degradation and chain scission. We performed a systematic screening of chemical groups and structures compatible with degradation pathways that are possible from the chemical point of view: the chemical mechanisms and the correlation with the spectroscopic experimental data (both frequency and intensity) provide guidelines in understanding the phenomena. Moreover, the spectroscopic experimental/theoretical and chemical approaches allowed us to identify some chemical structures responsible for the unassigned IR bands in the C@O stretching frequency region above 1800 cmÀ1, which is typical for carbonyl groups in fluorinated systems

Laser evoked potentials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The pathophysiological mechanism of the pain in ALS is still unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the laser evoked potentials (LEPs) in ALS patients in relation to their clinical features. Twenty-four ALS patients were selected. Pain features were assessed and their intensity was measured by a 0–10 VAS. LEPs were recorded in all patients and in 23 healthy subjects. The dorsum of both hands was stimulated, at laser stimuli intensity of 7.5 W, with 10 s inter-stimulus interval and 25 ms duration. Four electrodes were placed at Cz, T3, T4 and Fz positions, with the reference electrode at the nasion; T3 and T4 electrodes were referred offline to Fz, in order to detect the N1 component. Latencies of N2, P2 and N1 waves were significantly higher in ALS than in controls. N1 amplitude was significantly increased in ALS patients compared to controls, with a similar trend for the N2–P2 complex. No correlation was found between LEP abnormalities, pain intensity and clinical features. A degeneration of subcortical structures may subtend a delay in the afferent input to the nociceptive cortex in ALS. On the other hand, an increase of pain processing at the cortical level may derive from a potential sensory compensation to motor cortex dysfunctio

Midlife Metabolic Profile and the Risk of Late-Life Cognitive Decline

Among metabolic syndrome components, the effects of higher plasma glucose levels on cognitive decline (CD) have been considered in few studies. We evaluated the associations among midlife glycemia, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, midlife insulin resistance [homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-index)], and CD in the older subjects of the population-based MICOL Study (Castellana Grotte, Italy) at baseline (M1) and at follow-ups seven (M2) and twenty years later (M3). At M1, a dementia risk score and a composite cardiovascular risk score for dementia were calculated. For 797 subjects out of 833, we obtained a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score at M3, subdividing these subjects in three cognitive functioning subgroups: normal cognition, mild CD, and moderate-severe CD. Mean fasting glycemia at baseline was significantly higher in moderate-severe CD subgroup (114.6±71.4mg/dl) than in the normal cognition subgroup (101.2±20.6). Adjusting for gender, age, and other metabolic components, higher fasting glycemia values both at M1 [odds ratio (OR)=1.31; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.59] and M2 (OR=1.26; 95% CI: 1.01-1.57) were associated with an increased risk of moderate-severe CD. Mean HOMA index value was significantly higher in the moderate-severe CD subgroup (5.7±9.4) compared to the normal cognition subgroup (2.9±1.4) at M1. The dementia risk probability (MMSE<24) increased moving through higher categories of the dementia risk score and decreased as long as the cardiovascular score increased. The present findings highlighted the indication to control blood glucose levels, regardless of a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, as early as midlife for prevention of late-life dementia

Age-Related Central Auditory Processing Disorder, MCI, and Dementia in an Older Population of Southern Italy

Objective: We explored the associations of age-related central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in an older population-based cohort in Apulia, Southern Italy (GreatAGE Study). / Study Design: Cross-sectional data from a population-based study. / Setting: Castellana Grotte, Bari, Italy. / Subjects and Methods: Between 2013 and 2018, MCI, dementia, age-related CAPD (no disabling hearing loss and 65 years. / Results: The prevalences of age-related CAPD, MCI, and dementia were 14.15%, 15.79%, and 3.58%, respectively. Among the subjects with MCI and dementia, 19.61% and 42.37% had age-related CAPD. In the regressive models, age-related CAPD was associated with MCI (odds ratio, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.01-2.21) and dementia (odds ratio, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.12-4.42). Global cognition scores were positively associated with increasing SSI-ICM scores in linear models. All models were adjusted for demographics and metabolic serum biomarkers. / Conclusion: The tight association of age-related CAPD with MCI and dementia suggests the involvement of central auditory pathways in neurodegeneration, but it is not clear which is the real direction of this association. However, CAPD is a possible diagnostic marker of cognitive dysfunction in older patients

BET bromodomain inhibitors regulate keratinocyte plasticity

Although most acute skin wounds heal rapidly, non-healing skin ulcers represent an increasing and substantial unmet medical need that urgently requires effective therapeutics. Keratinocytes resurface wounds to re-establish the epidermal barrier by transitioning to an activated, migratory state, but this ability is lost in dysfunctional chronic wounds. Small-molecule regulators of keratinocyte plasticity with the potential to reverse keratinocyte malfunction in situ could offer a novel therapeutic approach in skin wound healing. Utilizing high-throughput phenotypic screening of primary keratinocytes, we identify such small molecules, including bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) protein family inhibitors (BETi). BETi induce a sustained activated, migratory state in keratinocytes in vitro, increase activation markers in human epidermis ex vivo and enhance skin wound healing in vivo. Our findings suggest potential clinical utility of BETi in promoting keratinocyte re-epithelialization of skin wounds. Importantly, this novel property of BETi is exclusively observed after transient low-dose exposure, revealing new potential for this compound class. [Figure not available: see fulltext.