The small heat shock proteins αB-crystallin and Hsp27 suppress SOD1 aggregation in vitro

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease. The mechanism that underlies amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology remains unclear, but protein inclusions are associated with all forms of the disease. Apart from pathogenic proteins, such as TDP-43 and SOD1, other proteins are associated with ALS inclusions including small heat shock proteins. However, whether small heat shock proteins have a direct effect on SOD1 aggregation remains unknown. In this study, we have examined the ability of small heat shock proteins αB-crystallin and Hsp27 to inhibit the aggregation of SOD1 in vitro. We show that these chaperone proteins suppress the increase in thioflavin T fluorescence associated with SOD1 aggregation, primarily through inhibiting aggregate growth, not the lag phase in which nuclei are formed. αB-crystallin forms high molecular mass complexes with SOD1 and binds directly to SOD1 aggregates. Our data are consistent with an overload of proteostasis systems being associated with pathology in ALS.

Extracellular aggregated Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activates microglia to give a cytotoxic phenotype

A large body of literature suggests that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology is intimately linked with neuroinflammation, specifically activation and recruitment of microglia and astrocytes. The actual cause of gliosis is unclear. Extracellular Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) has recently been shown to activate microglia in a CD14 dependant mechanism providing one potential pathway by which glial cells become activated. As protein inclusions are thought to be an important part of ALS pathology and are associated with all forms of ALS, we sought to determine if aggregated SOD1 would activate microglia. Recombinant SOD1 was aggregated and this, or monomeric forms of SOD1 were then added to EOC.13 microglial cells or primary microglial cells in culture. Although monomeric mutant SOD1 has been shown to promote microglial activation in the past, we found that aggregated SOD1 was able to much more efficiently activate microglia in culture when compared with the unaggregated form of mutant SOD1. In addition to CD14 dependant pathways, aggregated SOD1 also bound to the surface of glial cells and was internalized in a lipid raft and scavenger receptor dependent manner. We have for the first time shown that aggregated mutant SOD1 potently activates microglia. These results suggest that there may be a potential link between protein aggregation and microglial activation in ALS.

Deep brain stimulation in ireland for Parkinson's disease and essential tremor

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is highly effective neurosurgery for idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD), essential tremor (ET) and primary dystonia. DBS involves stereotactic surgical implantation of a battery-operated stimulator into deep brain nuclei. Irish patients are referred abroad for DBS and have to travel repeatedly for pre and post-operative care resulting in stress, anxiety and hardship. Safe pre and post-operative care of these complex, ageing patients is compromised by the absence of a DBS service in Ireland. Moreover, both DBS surgery and the subsequent post-operative care abroad incurs substantial cost to the state. The Dublin Neurological Institute at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (DNI) is a non-profit institute for the care of patients with neurological diseases. The DNI developed, in collaboration with the Mater Private Hospital (MPH) and the Walton Centre, Liverpool, a DBS programme in 2008/2009. We performed DBS at the Mater Campus on three carefully selected patients from a cohort of movement disorder patients attending the DNI and continue to provide pre-operative assessment and post operative care for patients following DBS in Ireland and abroad.

A rare event sampling method for diffusion Monte Carlo using smart darting

We identify a set of multidimensional potential energy surfaces sufficiently complex to cause both the classical parallel tempering and the guided or unguided diffusion Monte Carlo methods to converge too inefficiently for practical applications. The mathematical model is constructed as a linear combination of decoupled Double Wells [(DDW)(n)]. We show that the set (DDW)(n) provides a serious test for new methods aimed at addressing rare event sampling in stochastic simulations. Unlike the typical numerical tests used in these cases, the thermodynamics and the quantum dynamics for (DDW)(n) can be solved deterministically. We use the potential energy set (DDW)(n) to explore and identify methods that can enhance the diffusion Monte Carlo algorithm. We demonstrate that the smart darting method succeeds at reducing quasiergodicity for n ≫ 100 using just 1 × 10(6) moves in classical simulations (DDW)(n). Finally, we prove that smart darting, when incorporated into the regular or the guided diffusion Monte Carlo algorithm, drastically improves its convergence. The new method promises to significantly extend the range of systems computationally tractable by the diffusion Monte Carlo algorithm.

Environmental Applications of Xanes: Speciation of Tc In Cement After Chemical Treatment and Se After Bacterial Uptake

XANES (X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy) has been employed to evaluate the efficacy of a process designed to encapsulate and reduce TcO4-in cement matrices, thereby immobilizing Tc. The oxidation state of Se following bioremediation of Se by bacteria has also been determined by XANES. The XANES measurements were performed at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (SSRL) and the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at the respective K edges of Tc (21.0 keV) and Se (12.7 keV). Comparison of the XANES spectra of Tc in untreated cement to Tc in slag treated cement and to the chemical shifts of reference materials, shows that the oxidation state of Tc is the same in both cements. Thus, the addition of a reducing agent to the cement formulation does not significantly reduce the TcO4-. The common soil bacterium,Bacillus subtilis, is known to incorporate Se on or within the cell wall when exposed to a Se(IV) solution. The Se XANES spectra ofB. subtilis, as well as bacillus isolated from selenium rich soil, show that the organisms reduce selenite to the red allotrope of elemental Se.

Exploring the needs and expectations of women presenting for hysterosalpingogram examination following a period of subfertility: a qualitative study

AIMS

This study examines women's experience of healthcare following the referral for hysterosalpingography (HSG) after a period of subfertility. These otherwise fit and healthy women enter the healthcare system and their only problem is a failure to become pregnant. They find themselves trying to negotiate a system designed for sick people. Previous research in this field consists mainly of studies comparing HSG to other diagnostic studies. The study aims to address the underlying issues that women have at the start of their subfertility investigations.

METHODS

This qualitative study uses grounded theory methodology. Interviews with women were undertaken immediately prior to their HSG examination. Ten women were interviewed using 12 core questions. Each woman had a diagnosis of primary subfertility. Each was asked how they were coping with the uncertainty of their fertility. They were asked about their expectations of the HSG examination, the importance of HSG and what methods were available to them to reduce any anxiety experienced. Data analysis was undertaken after each interview.

RESULTS

Presently, HSG is seen by healthcare providers as a routine outpatient examination at the start of subfertility investigations. In contrast to this, it was discovered at interview that HSG was seen by the women as a defining moment that would signpost their future treatment options to become pregnant. Women reported receiving little support from health care providers, and that written information given did not fulfil all of their needs. Often written information alone heightened anxiety, and this written information needs to be tailored to a specific set of circumstances. The literature review noted that anxiety can lead to mental health issues, but that properly focused, correctly given, timely information can reduce anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

The implications of the findings are that if anxiety relating to treatment at this early stage can be managed effectively, it could minimise the possible physical and emotional trauma to the woman as her subfertility journey continues, thus at the same time preventing future anxiety related illness.

Length of stay in an Australian stroke rehabilitation unit: a pilot study

Aims

Length of stay (LOS) is an important consideration in rehabilitation, and it can be adversely affected by delayed discharge. The purpose of this prospective study was to document LOS, frequency of discharge delay, reasons for discharge delay and its impact on LOS.

Methods

Ninety-eight inpatients in a stroke rehabilitation unit were included in the study.

Findings

Sixty (61%) patients had a LOS that exceeded the Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre (AROC) benchmark LOS according to the Australian National Sub-acute and Non-acute Patient classification system. Twenty-five (26%) patients had delayed discharge resulting in a total delay of 886 days, with most of these related to delays in the provision of community services. When patients with discharge delay were factored out of analyses, LOS was still longer than AROC benchmark figures for 39 (57%) of the 69 patients without discharge delay.

Conclusions

The LOSs of the majority of patients included in this study were longer than the AROC benchmark figures, even when patients with discharge delay were factored out. Initiatives to address this problem include the implementation of a proactive computerized tool that will provide target LOSs and enable reasons for excessive LOS to be more closely examined.

Expansion of the Spectrum of FLNA Mutations Associated with Melnick-Needles Syndrome

Melnick-Needles syndrome (MNS) is a rare X-linked bone dysplasia characterised by facial dysmorphology and radiographic abnormalities [Melnick and Needles, 1966;97:39-48]. Previously, all published cases of MNS were associated with only 4 mutations [Robertson et al., 2003;33:487-491; Santos et al., 2010;152A:726-731], all localised within exon 22 of FLNA, the gene encoding the cytoskeletal protein filamin A. Here we report 3 new mutations in FLNA that are associated with MNS. One affected member of the first family with the mutation p.Y1229S presented with a stroke while this patient's daughter, previously known to be affected from a young age, developed multiple sclerosis. A second unrelated patient with a typical phenotype is shown to have the mutation c.1054G>T (p.G352W) within exon 7 of FLNA. A third individual with an atypical presentation but radiological findings very similar to those seen in classic MNS has a deletion likely to affect residues within repeat domain 14. These findings indicate that the mutational spectrum for MNS is wider than previously appreciated and has implications for genetic testing strategies employed to confirm a diagnosis of this rare disorder.