Sustained expression of PGC-1α in the rat nigrostriatal system selectively impairs dopaminergic function

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been implicated in the etiology of Parkinson's disease. Therefore, pathways controlling mitochondrial activity rapidly emerge as potential therapeutic targets. Here, we explore the neuronal response to prolonged overexpression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), a transcriptional regulator of mitochondrial function, both in vitro and in vivo. In neuronal primary cultures from the ventral midbrain, PGC-1α induces mitochondrial biogenesis and increases basal respiration. Over time, we observe an increasing proportion of the oxygen consumed by neurons which are dedicated to adenosine triphosphate production. In parallel to enhanced oxidative phosphorylation, PGC-1α progressively leads to a decrease in mitochondrial polarization. In the adult rat nigrostriatal system, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated overexpression of PGC-1α induces the selective loss of dopaminergic markers and increases dopamine (DA) catabolism, leading to a reduction in striatal DA content. In addition, PGC-1α prevents the labeling of nigral neurons following striatal injection of the fluorogold retrograde tracer. When PGC-1α is expressed at higher levels following intranigral AAV injection, it leads to overt degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Finally, PGC-1α overexpression does not prevent nigrostriatal degeneration in pathologic conditions induced by α-synuclein overexpression. Overall, we find that lasting overexpression of PGC-1α leads to major alterations in the metabolic activity of neuronal cells which dramatically impair dopaminergic function in vivo. These results highlight the central role of PGC-1α in the function and survival of dopaminergic neurons and the critical need for maintaining physiological levels of PGC-1α activit

Paroxysmal Sneezing at the Onset of Syncopes and Transient Ischemic Attack Revealing a Papillary Cardiac Fibroelastoma

Sneezing can at times be associated with neurological disorders. The “sneeze center” is localized in the lateral medulla. We report the case of a 50-year-old man who presented three episodes of sneezing, two of them followed by an episode of transient gait instability and dizziness and the third one followed by an episode of transient left hemiparesis due to fibroelastoma of the aortic cardiac valve. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of a transient ischemic attack due to cardiac papillary fibroelastoma and revealed by violent episodes of sneezing

CONTEXTUALIZANDO PARA APRENDER: CONTRIBUIÇÃO DA HISTÓRIA DA MATEMÁTICA NO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL

O presente texto aborda a experiência, provinda de um curso de extensão, do uso da História da Matemática em uma turma de 6ª ano de uma escola pública de Ensino Fundamental no interior do Rio Grande do Norte. A experiência foi fruto de conhecimentos pedagógicos adquiridos no curso de extensão, “Ensino de Matemática x História da Matemática” desenvolvido pela Universidade Potiguar. A ação prática foi dividida em seis encontros sistemáticos que organizasse uma melhor compreensão dos alunos sobre a matemática.  O uso da História da Matemática como suporte pedagógico ajuda a compreender a matemática como criação humana que auxilia na construção do sujeito ativo, reflexivos e críticos, assim como ajuda os sujeitos a se perceberem como parte de um todo maior dentro da sociedade, usamos como metodologia para a inserção da História da Matemática os Três Momentos Pedagógicos em sala de aula. Dessa forma, ampliar os horizontes, as possibilidades e as estratégias de ensino de matemática é uma função essencial dos professores do ensino fundamental e educadores matemáticos que durante muito tempo buscam humanizar a disciplina dentro do contexto atual da sociedade

FoxO3a overexpression prevents both glycogen overload and autophagic buildup in skeletal muscle of Pompe disease

FoxO3a overexpression prevents both glycogen overload and autophagic buildup in skeletal muscle of Pompe disease. 6eme congrès international de Myologi

Satellite cells fail to contribute to muscle repair but are functional in Pompe disease (glycogenosis type II)

Satellite cells fail to contribute to muscle repair but are functional in Pompe disease (glycogenosis type II). 6eme congrés international de Myologi

Cadeia produtiva do gengibre (Zingiber officinale ROSCOE) no estado do Paraná : análise e recomendações para melhoria da qualidade

Orientador : Raquel R.B.NegrelleCo-orientadores: Luiz Doni Filho, Neusa G.A. RuckerTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná. Setor de Ciências Agrárias. Curso de Pós-Graduação em Agronomia - área de concentração Produção Vegetal, Departamento de Fitotecnia e FitossanitarismoInclui bibliografia e glossárioResumo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo prospectivo da cadeia produtiva do Zingiber officinale Roscoe no Estado do Paraná, identificando os principais agentes envolvidos e paralelamente proceder análise dos pontos de estrangulamentos, especificamente no que concerne à qualidade microbiológica deste produto em todos os níveis, desde a produção até a fase final da comercialização, visando identificar causas e propor soluções no sentido da melhoria do sistema como um todo. Este estudo foi desenvolvido no período de 2000 a 2002 englobando pesquisa de campo, entrevistas abertas com representantes de estabelecimentos de comercialização, produtores e demais atores da cadeia produtiva, além de análises laboratoriais do produto "in natura" disponível no mercado consumidor da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba - PR. Este documento está organizado em 9 capítulos, que apresentam vastas informações englobando aspectos botânicos, ecológicos, fisico-químicos e farmacológicos do gengibre, e que estão incluídas nos capítulos 1 e 2. O capítulo 3 apresenta características gerais da principal região produtora brasileira, Morretes - PR, englobando localização, aspectos sócio-econômicos, geológicos e geomorfológicos e caracterização climática. O capítulo 4 apresenta o estudo prospectivo da cadeia produtiva do gengibre no Estado do Paraná, que engloba panorama mundial, brasileiro e paranaense do volume de produção agrícola de gengibre. Inclui-se também caracterização da comunidade produtora agrícola do litoral paranaense, além da identificação e caracterização dos outros diferentes níveis da cadeia produtiva do gengibre e a detecção dos principais pontos de estrangulamento nos diferentes níveis desta cadeia produtiva. A caracterização do cultivo e beneficiamento do gengibre no litoral paranaense é apresentada no capítulo 5, evidenciando suas particularidades frente ao descrito na literatura especializada. No capítulo 6 avaliou-se as condições higiênico-sanitárias dos estabelecimentos produtores, do processo de beneficiamento pós-colheita (lavagem, limpeza, secagem e embalagem) e das condições de manipulação do gengibre "in natura" no litoral paranaense. De maneira geral, as condições de higiene e limpeza observadas foram consideradas precárias, determinando alta potencialidade de contaminação do gengibre com agentes que poderiam colocar em risco a saúde do consumidor. No capítulo 7 são apresentados os resultados dos estabelecimentos de comercialização da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba - PR, no que tange à qualidade e adequação às normas vigentes. Dos aspectos observados, as condições dos vestuários e dos equipamentos de proteção individual (manipuladores) foram considerados precários, o que pode potencializar a contaminação do produto e colocar em risco a saúde do consumidor. O capítulo 8 teve como objetivo caracterizar o perfil microbiológico do gengibre "in natura" comercializado na Região Metropolitana de Curitiba - PR, tendo como base a Resolução - CNPPA n. 12 - Brasil, 1978 e a Resolução - RDC n. 12 - Brasil, 2001. Para tanto, foram realizadas a determinação do número mais provável (NMP) de coliformes totais, coliformes a 45° C/g e Escherichia coli, e a presença de Salmonella sp em 25 gramas. Sintetizando, um conjunto de propostas e recomendações aos agentes econômicos que atuam e processam a cadeia produtiva do gengibre no Estado do Paraná, em especial o município de Morretes - PR, é apresentado no capítulo 9Abstract: Prospective studies of the productive chain of the Zingiber officinale Roscoe on Parana State identifying the main agents envolved and parallel procedure analysis of the strangulation points, in order to microbiology qualify this product in whole levels from the production until commercialization last phase, aiming identify causes and propose solutions to the improvement of the system in general. This survey developed from 2000 to 2002 involved field research, interviews with representative of the commercialization establishments, producers and others actors of the productive chain, besides made in laboratories of the quality of crude product available to the consumer market in Curitiba. This paper is organized in nine chapters that present information involving botanical, ecological, physique-chemical and pharmacological aspects of ginger that are included in chapters 1 and 2. The chapter 3 presents the characteristics of the main brazilian productive area, embody localization, social and economic aspects, geologycal, geomorphologycal and climate characterization. The chapter 4 the study of the productive chain of this product in Parana State, which includes the paranaense, the brazilian and the worldwide panoramic view of the production volume and commercialization of the ginger; characterization of the agricultural community; identification and characterization of others different levels of the productive chain and also, the main strangulation points on these different levels of the productive chain. In the chapter 5 the agricultural process of the ginger benefit and cultivation in Morretes Town, Paraná, Brazil was caracterized. In the chapter 6 the hygienic-sanitary conditions of the producers establishments, postharvest benefit system and manipulation conditions of crude ginger in the paranaense coastland, Brazil were evaluated with an aim to subsidy the ofert of the best quality product to consumer market. In general, the cleaning and hygienic conditions were precarious, determining a high potential of ginger contamination with agents that can put in risk the consumers' health. The chapter 7 presents the results of the commercialization establishments in the metropolitan area of Curitiba considering adequation to the current norm. Of the observed items, the manipulation conditions was considered precarious due to the inadequate conditions that contributes to contamination, bringing about serious problems to consumers' health. The chapter 8 aimed the microbiological quality of the ginger market in the metropolitan area of Curitiba based on the Brazilian legislation. The microbiological analysis found total coliforms, 45° C/g coliforms, Escherichia coli most probable number (MPN) and Salmonella sp presence. Synthetizing, a group of considerations and recommendations to economic agents that actuate and carry on the productive chain of the ginger in the Parana State, specially in Morretes Town, is presented in the chapter

Sustained expression of PGC-1α in the rat nigrostriatal system selectively impairs dopaminergic function

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been implicated in the etiology of Parkinson's disease. Therefore, pathways controlling mitochondrial activity rapidly emerge as potential therapeutic targets. Here, we explore the neuronal response to prolonged overexpression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), a transcriptional regulator of mitochondrial function, both in vitro and in vivo. In neuronal primary cultures from the ventral midbrain, PGC-1α induces mitochondrial biogenesis and increases basal respiration. Over time, we observe an increasing proportion of the oxygen consumed by neurons which are dedicated to adenosine triphosphate production. In parallel to enhanced oxidative phosphorylation, PGC-1α progressively leads to a decrease in mitochondrial polarization. In the adult rat nigrostriatal system, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated overexpression of PGC-1α induces the selective loss of dopaminergic markers and increases dopamine (DA) catabolism, leading to a reduction in striatal DA content. In addition, PGC-1α prevents the labeling of nigral neurons following striatal injection of the fluorogold retrograde tracer. When PGC-1α is expressed at higher levels following intranigral AAV injection, it leads to overt degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. Finally, PGC-1α overexpression does not prevent nigrostriatal degeneration in pathologic conditions induced by α-synuclein overexpression. Overall, we find that lasting overexpression of PGC-1α leads to major alterations in the metabolic activity of neuronal cells which dramatically impair dopaminergic function in vivo. These results highlight the central role of PGC-1α in the function and survival of dopaminergic neurons and the critical need for maintaining physiological levels of PGC-1α activity

Evaluation of treatment response in adults with relapsing MOG-Ab-associated disease

Background: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG-Ab) are related to several acquired demyelinating syndromes in adults, but the therapeutic approach is currently unclear. We aimed to describe the response to different therapeutic strategies in adult patients with relapsing MOG-Ab-associated disease. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in France and Spain including 125 relapsing MOG-Ab patients aged ≥ 18 years. First, we performed a survival analysis to investigate the relapse risk between treated and non-treated patients, performing a propensity score method based on the inverse probability of treatment weighting. Second, we assessed the annualised relapse rates (ARR), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and visual acuity pre-treatment and on/end-treatment. Results: Median age at onset was 34.1 years (range 18.0-67.1), the female to male ratio was 1.2:1, and 96% were Caucasian. At 5 years, 84% (95% confidence interval [CI], 77.1-89.8) patients relapsed. At the last follow-up, 66 (52.8%) received maintenance therapy. Patients initiating immunosuppressants (azathioprine, mycophenolate mophetil [MMF], rituximab) were at lower risk of new relapse in comparison to non-treated patients (HR, 0.41; 95CI%, 0.20-0.82; p = 0.011). Mean ARR (standard deviation) was reduced from 1.05(1.20) to 0.43(0.79) with azathioprine (n = 11; p = 0.041), from 1.20(1.11) to 0.23(0.60) with MMF (n = 11; p = 0.033), and from 1.08(0.98) to 0.43(0.89) with rituximab (n = 26; p = 0.012). Other immunosuppressants (methotrexate/mitoxantrone/cyclophosphamide; n = 5), or multiple sclerosis disease-modifying drugs (MS-DMD; n = 9), were not associated with significantly reduced ARR. Higher rates of freedom of EDSS progression were observed with azathioprine, MMF or rituximab. Conclusion: In adults with relapsing MOG-Ab-associated disease, immunosuppressant therapy (azathioprine, MMF and rituximab) is associated with reduced risk of relapse and better disability outcomes. Such an effect was not found in the few patients treated with MS-DMD

Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Autoimmunity: A French Cohort Study

Background and ObjectivesTo report the clinical, biological, and imaging features and clinical course of a French cohort of patients with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) autoantibodies.MethodsWe retrospectively included all patients who tested positive for GFAP antibodies in the CSF by immunohistochemistry and confirmed by cell-based assay using cells expressing human GFAPα since 2017 from 2 French referral centers.ResultsWe identified 46 patients with GFAP antibodies. Median age at onset was 43 years, and 65% were men. Infectious prodromal symptoms were found in 82%. Other autoimmune diseases were found in 22% of patients, and coexisting neural autoantibodies in 11%. Tumors were present in 24%, and T-cell dysfunction in 23%. The most frequent presentation was subacute meningoencephalitis (85%), with cerebellar dysfunction in 57% of cases. Other clinical presentations included myelitis (30%) and visual (35%) and peripheral nervous system involvement (24%). MRI showed perivascular radial enhancement in 32%, periventricular T2 hyperintensity in 41%, brainstem involvement in 31%, leptomeningeal enhancement in 26%, and reversible splenial lesions in 4 cases. A total of 33 of 40 patients had a monophasic course, associated with a good outcome at last follow-up (Rankin Score ≤2: 89%), despite a severe clinical presentation. Adult and pediatric features are similar. Thirty-two patients were treated with immunotherapy. A total of 11/22 patients showed negative conversion of GFAP antibodies.DiscussionGFAP autoimmunity is mainly associated with acute/subacute meningoencephalomyelitis with prodromal symptoms, for which tumors and T-cell dysfunction are frequent triggers. The majority of patients followed a monophasic course with a good outcome

Interleukin-6 receptor blockade in treatment-refractory MOG-IgG–associated disease and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ), a humanized anti–interleukin-6 receptor antibody in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein–IgG–associated disease (MOGAD) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). METHODS: Annualized relapse rate (ARR), Expanded Disability Status Scale score, MRI, autoantibody titers, pain, and adverse events were retrospectively evaluated in 57 patients with MOGAD (n = 14), aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-IgG seropositive (n = 36), and seronegative NMOSD (n = 7; 12%), switched to TCZ from previous immunotherapies, particularly rituximab. RESULTS: Patients received TCZ for 23.8 months (median; interquartile range 13.0–51.1 months), with an IV dose of 8.0 mg/kg (median; range 6–12 mg/kg) every 31.6 days (mean; range 26–44 days). For MOGAD, the median ARR decreased from 1.75 (range 0.5–5) to 0 (range 0–0.9; p = 0.0011) under TCZ. A similar effect was seen for AQP4-IgG+ (ARR reduction from 1.5 [range 0–5] to 0 [range 0–4.2]; p < 0.001) and for seronegative NMOSD (from 3.0 [range 1.0–3.0] to 0.2 [range 0–2.0]; p = 0.031). During TCZ, 60% of all patients were relapse free (79% for MOGAD, 56% for AQP4-IgG+, and 43% for seronegative NMOSD). Disability follow-up indicated stabilization. MRI inflammatory activity decreased in MOGAD (p = 0.04; for the brain) and in AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD (p < 0.001; for the spinal cord). Chronic pain was unchanged. Regarding only patients treated with TCZ for at least 12 months (n = 44), ARR reductions were confirmed, including the subgroups of MOGAD (n = 11) and AQP4-IgG+ patients (n = 28). Similarly, in the group of patients treated with TCZ for at least 12 months, 59% of them were relapse free, with 73% for MOGAD, 57% for AQP4-IgG+, and 40% for patients with seronegative NMOSD. No severe or unexpected safety signals were observed. Add-on therapy showed no advantage compared with TCZ monotherapy. DISCUSSION: This study provides Class III evidence that long-term TCZ therapy is safe and reduces relapse probability in MOGAD and AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD