Transcriptional features of low-grade neuroepithelial tumors with the BRAF V600E mutation associated with epileptogenicity.

Low-grade neuroepithelial tumors are major causes of drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Clinically, these tumors are defined as low-grade epilepsy-associated neuroepithelial tumors (LEATs). The BRAF V600E mutation is frequently observed in LEAT and linked to poor seizure outcomes. However, its molecular role in epileptogenicity remains elusive. To understand the molecular mechanism underlying the epileptogenicity in LEAT with the BRAF V600E genetic mutation (BRAF V600E-LEAT), we conducted RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis using surgical specimens of BRAF V600E-LEAT obtained and stored at a single institute. We obtained 21 BRAF V600E-LEAT specimens and 4 control specimens, including 24 from Japanese patients and 1 from a patient of Central Asian origin, along with comprehensive clinical data. We submitted the transcriptome dataset of 21 BRAF V600E-LEAT plus 4 controls, as well as detailed clinical information, to a public database. Preliminary bioinformatics analysis using this dataset identified 2134 differentially expressed genes between BRAF V600E-LEAT and control. Additionally, gene set enrichment analysis provided novel insights into the association between estrogen response-related pathways and the epileptogenicity of BRAF V600E-LEAT patients. Our datasets and findings will contribute toward the understanding of the pathology of epilepsy caused by LEAT and the identification of new therapeutic targets.

A case of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP ATTR Ile107Val) with proximal muscle weakness in the lower extremities.

Proximal dominant muscle weakness is rare in transthyretin (TTR)-related familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). A 69-year-old Japanese man developed numbness and dysesthesia of the first, second and third digits of both hands since 2008. He presented to our hospital with one year history of progressive proximal muscle weakness in the lower extremities since 2013. Neurological examinations revealed predominant proximal muscle weakness and atrophy with areflexia in the lower extremities, decreased superficial sensation in the first, second and third fingers of both hands, and decreased superficial and deep sensation in the lower extremities. Nerve conduction studies revealed an axonal degeneration type of sensorimotor polyneuropathy and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Electromyogram revealed acute and chronic neurogenic changes predominantly in proximal muscles. We performed biopsy of the left quadriceps muscle and observed neurogenic changes in the muscle tissue and an amyloid deposition in the adipose tissue. This amyloid deposition was not seen in endomysium, perimysium and blood vessels. Genetic analysis of the TTR gene revealed the patient was heterozygous for a single nucleotide substitution c.379 A>G, which resulted in the replacement of valine with isoleucine at position 107 of the mature protein. We diagnosed his condition as FAP with Amyloid Transthyretin (ATTR) Ile107Val.

Direct determination of horseradish peroxidase encapsulated in liposomes by using luminol chemiluminescence.

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) encapsulated in liposomes was directly detected by using luminol chemiluminescence (CL) with H2O2 without lysis of liposomes. At a low concentration of H2O2, the initial rate of HRP-catalyzed luminol CL in liposomes was slower than that of HRP-catalyzed luminol CL in a lipid-free bulk solution. The decrease in the initial rate of the CL reaction in liposomes was due to the membrane permeation of luminol and H2O2. At a high concentration of H2O2, the initial rate of the CL reaction in liposomes was the same as that in a lipid-free bulk solution. The CL measurement conditions in both a lipid-free bulk solution and in liposomes were optimized in the concentrations of luminol and H2O2 by measuring the CL response curves, in which only one peak appeared and the CL intensity was maximal. The CL intensity observed in HRP-catalyzed luminol CL in liposomes was a factor of seven greater than that observed in a lipid-free bulk solution. The CL intensity was dependent on the amount of HRP-encapsulated liposomes used. The detection limit in the direct detection of HRP encapsulated in liposomes was sensitive by a factor of 3 compared with that in HRP-catalyzed luminol CL in a lipid-free bulk solution.

Estimation of the membrane permeability of liposomes via use of eosin Y chemiluminescence catalysed by peroxidase encapsulated in liposomes.

The initial rate of horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-catalysed chemiluminescence (CL) reaction in an aqueous compartment of liposomes was applied to the estimation of membrane permeability of liposomes. HRP-encapsulated liposomes were prepared by an extrusion method, and a CL reagent and H(2)O(2) were added into the liposomes suspensions. Fluorescein, eosin Y and phloxin B, which are xanthene dyes with different chemical structures, were used as CL reagents. Xanthene dye and H(2)O(2) permeate into the inner phase of liposomes, resulting in initiation of the HRP-catalysed xanthene dye CL reaction with H(2)O(2). The initial rate of the CL reaction was independent of the xanthene dye used. The reproducibility of the initial rate with eosin Y was better than that with fluorescein and phloxin B. When the membrane permeability of the liposomes was changed by altering the concentration of cholesterol in them, the initial rate of the eosin Y CL reaction was dependent on the membrane permeability of the liposomes.