Effect of electroacupuncture on brachial plexus post-traumatic neuralgia: A case report.

Background: Brachial plexus injury is a serious peripheral nerve injury that severely disables upper limbs and affects patients' daily life and work Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture have traditionally been used to treat neuropathic pain. However, there is still lacking evidence as regard to their effects on pain following traumatic nerve and plexus lesions. Neurotmesis after brachial plexus injury also causes movement disorders of the denervated muscles and loss of sensory function in the skin. Case report: We report a case of a brachial plexus injury due to humeral fracture, predominantly involving the lower trunk and the medial cord, treated with electroacupuncture. Results. We documented a positive significant response, based on clinical examination, pain scores and neurophysiologic findings. Conclusions: Repeated Electroacupuncture can relieve neuropathic pain due to brachial plexus injury. However, additional studies are needed to verify the efficacy and effectiveness of this approach.

Publisher Correction: Fe-functionalized paramagnetic sporopollenin from pollen grains: one-pot synthesis using ionic liquids.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Fe-functionalized paramagnetic sporopollenin from pollen grains: one-pot synthesis using ionic liquids.

The preparation of Fe-decorated sporopollenins was achieved using pollen grains and an ionic liquid as solvent and functionalizing agent. The integrity of the organic capsules was ascertained through scanning electron microscopy studies. The presence of Fe in the capsule was investigated using FT-IR, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetization measurements allowed us to demonstrate the paramagnetic behavior of our Fe-functionalized sporopollenin. A few potential applications of pollen-based systems functionalized with magnetic metal ions via ionic liquids are discussed.

Correction: Abolishing Tau cleavage by caspases at Aspartate421 causes memory/synaptic plasticity deficits and pre-pathological Tau alterations.

Text for Correction.

Abolishing Tau cleavage by caspases at Aspartate421 causes memory/synaptic plasticity deficits and pre-pathological Tau alterations.

TAU mutations are genetically linked to fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) and hyper-phosphorylated aggregates of Tau form neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that constitute a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD) and FTD. These observations indicate that Tau has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Tau is cleaved by caspases at Aspartate421, to form a Tau metabolite known as δTau; δTau is increased in AD, due to the hyper-activation of caspases in AD brains. δTau is considered a critical toxic moiety underlying neurodegeneration, which initiates and facilitates NFT formation. As Tau is a therapeutic target in neurodegeneration, it is important to rigorously determine whether δTau is a toxic Tau species that should be pharmacologically attacked. To directly address these questions, we have generated a knock-in (KI) mouse called TauDN-that expresses a Tau mutant that cannot be cleaved by caspases. TauDN mice present short-term memory deficits and synaptic plasticity defects. Moreover, mice carrying two mutant Tau alleles show increased total insoluble hyper-phosphorylated Tau in the forebrain. These data are in contrast with the concept that δTau is a critical toxic moiety underlying neurodegeneration, and suggest that cleavage of Tau by caspases represents a negative feedback mechanism aimed to eliminate toxic Tau species. Alternatively, it is possible that either a reduction or an increase in δTau leads to synaptic dysfunction, memory impairments and Tau pathology. Both possibilities will have to be considered when targeting caspase cleavage of Tau in AD therapy.

Unbiased next generation sequencing analysis confirms the existence of autosomal dominant Alport syndrome in a relevant fraction of cases.

The mode of inheritance of Alport syndrome (ATS) has long been controversial. In 1927, the disease was hypothesized as a dominant condition in which males were more severely affected than females. In 1990, it was considered an X-linked (XL) semidominant condition, due to COL4A5 mutations. Later on, a rare autosomal recessive (AR) form due to COL4A3/COL4A4 mutations was identified. An autosomal dominant (AD) form was testified more recently by the description of some large pedigrees but the real existence of this form is still questioned by many and its exact prevalence is unknown. The introduction of next generation sequencing (NGS) allowed us to perform an unbiased simultaneous COL4A3-COL4A4-COL4A5 analysis in 87 Italian families (273 individuals) with clinical suspicion of ATS. In 48 of them (55%), a mutation in one of the three genes was identified: the inheritance was XL semidominant in 65%, recessive in 4% and most interestingly AD in 31% (15 families). The AD form must therefore be seriously taken into account in all pedigrees with affected individuals in each generation. Furthermore, a high frequency of mutations (>50%) was shown in patients with only 1 or 2 clinical criteria, suggesting NGS as first-level analysis in cases with a clinical suspicion of ATS.

Induction of the 'ASIA' syndrome in NZB/NZWF1 mice after injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA).

Adjuvants, commonly used in vaccines, may be responsible for inducing autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases, both in humans and mice. The so-called 'ASIA' (Autoimmune/inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants) syndrome has been recently described, which is caused by the exposure to a component reproducing the effect of adjuvants. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in NZB/NZWF1 mice, a lupus-prone murine model. We injected 10 NZB/NZWF1 mice with CFA/PBS and 10 with PBS, three times, 3 weeks apart, and followed-up until natural death. CFA-injected mice developed both anti-double-stranded DNA and proteinuria earlier and at higher levels than the control group. Proteinuria-free survival rate and survival rate were significantly lower in CFA-treated mice than in the control mice (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively). Histological analyses showed a more severe glomerulonephritis in CFA-injected mice compared with the control mice. In addition, lymphoid hyperplasia in spleen and lungs, myocarditis, and vasculitis were observed in the former, but not in the latter group. In conclusion, the injection of CFA in NZB/NZWF1 mice accelerated autoimmune manifestations resembling 'ASIA' syndrome in humans.

[A useful panel in proliferative urothelial lesions: an analysis of cytokeratin 20, p53, CD44 and Ki-67 antigens]. / Panel di ausilio diagnostico nella patologia proliferativa uroteliale: studio degli antigeni citocheratina 20, p53, CD44 e Ki-67.

Urothelium can show several pseudoneoplastic lesions. Mimic lesions diagnosis is therapeutically and prognostically critical but it is often difficult on the basis of morphology alone in bladder biopsy specimen. We studied in a retrospective way an immunohistochemical panel that helps in this differential diagnosis. The panel includes antibodies against cytokeratin 20 (CK20), CD44, Ki67 (MIB-1) e p53 and we applied it to 31 cases of non-neoplastic urothelium (26 urothelial biopsies with reactive atypia and 5 normal urothelium) and 50 cases of urothelial neoplasia where we analized the distribution of the markers over the urothelium. We obtained two different "standard" results, for neoplastic and non-neoplastic urothelium. We were able to prove that this panel is useful, non expensive tool in the differential diagnosis of urothelial proliferative lesions.

Clinical and molecular markers of chronic interstitial nephropathy in congenital unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

PURPOSE: We evaluated clinical and biological variables, and their meaning as reliable markers of chronic interstitial nephropathy in a selected group of children with prenatally detected hydronephrosis who underwent pyeloplasty because of congenital unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical, prenatal and postnatal ultrasonographic, and scintigraphic records of children for whom intraoperative biopsy records were available. We performed histological analysis, and evaluated tubulointerstitial immunostaining for vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin, and the immunohistochemical and mRNA expression of the renin-angiotensin system peptides and transforming growth factor-beta1. RESULTS: The children were divided in 2 groups according to the absence (group 1) or presence (group 2) of chronic interstitial nephropathy in the biopsy. Patients in group 2 were significantly younger at prenatal diagnosis (p = 0.031), and had decreased split renal function (p = 0.005) and worse drainage (p = 0.035) on preoperative diuretic renography. No differences were found in terms of degree of hydronephrosis, or its prenatal and postnatal variation. Group 2 biopsies exhibited greater immunostaining for alpha-smooth muscle actin and vimentin (p = 0.004 and p = 0.047, respectively), and transforming growth factor-beta1 mRNA levels (p = 0.06). Vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin positivity correlated with renin, angiotensin II receptors 1 and 2, and transforming growth factor-beta1 mRNA levels, and all correlated with preoperative split renal function and post-void washout. CONCLUSIONS: In congenital unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction chronic interstitial nephropathy and poor postoperative recovery seem to be associated with an earlier diagnosis of hydronephrosis, functional loss greater than 10% and worse scintigraphic drainage. Moreover, there is a strong correlation between molecular fibrogenic markers and histologically and scintigraphically demonstrated renal damage.

In search of adult renal stem cells.

The therapeutic potential of adult stem cells in the treatment of chronic degenerative diseases has becoming increasingly evident over the last few years. Significant attention is currently being paid to the development of novel treatments for acute and chronic kidney diseases too. To date, promising sources of stem cells for renal therapies include adult bone marrow stem cells and the kidney precursors present in the early embryo. Both cells have clearly demonstrated their ability to differentiate into the kidney's specialized structures. Adult renal stem cells have yet to be identified, but the papilla is where the stem cell niche is probably located. Now we need to isolate and characterize the fraction of papillary cells that constitute the putative renal stem cells. Our growing understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind kidney regeneration and repair processes - together with a knowledge of the embryonic origin of renal cells - should induce us, however, to bear in mind that in the kidney, as in other mesenchymal tissues, the need for a real stem cell compartment might be less important than the phenotypic flexibility of tubular cells. Thus, by displaying their plasticity during kidney maintenance and repair, terminally differentiated cells may well function as multipotent stem cells despite being at a later stage of maturation than adult stem cells. One of the major tasks of Regenerative Medicine will be to disclose the molecular mechanisms underlying renal tubular plasticity and to exploit its biological and therapeutic potential.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptors in diabetic nephropathy: expression studies in biopsies of type 2 diabetic patients.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy but its role in diabetic nephropathy is only speculative so far. It has been shown that in renal cortex of normal kidneys, glomerular and tubular epithelial cells express VEGF and that VEGF 165 is the predominant isoform. Two VEGF receptors, KDR (kinase domain region) and Flt-1 (fms-like tyrosine kinase) are co-expressed by glomerular and peritubular capillary endothelial cells. However, VEGF and VEGF receptors are predominantly expressed at glomerular level. We recently demonstrated that in type 2 diabetic patients glomerular qualitative and quantitative changes of VEGF mRNA expression are associated with functional and structural renal changes. In the present work we focused on the tubulo-interstitial compartment; by reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) we evaluated the expression of VEGF, KDR, Flt-1 and the relationship between the two main type of VEGF isoforms, VEGF121 and VEGF165 in the tubulo-interstitium of type 2 diabetic patients. Patients were divided in three category on the basis of renal structure pattern: CI, with normal or near normal renal structure; CII, with glomerular and tubulo-interstitial lesions occurring in parallel (typical diabetic nephropathology); CIII, with atypical pattern of renal injury, i.e., more severe tubulo-interstitial and vascular than glomerular changes. Comparison between the two cortical compartments revealed that, both in glomeruli and in tubulo-interstitium. VEGF121 isoform exceed VEGF165 while Flt-1 was significantly lower in glomeruli. CIII patients had the lowest tubulo-interstitial level of VEGF and Flt-1 mRNAs. These results suggest that the transcriptional shifting from VEGF165 to VEGF121 isoform and the unbalanced FIt-1 expression between tubulo-interstitium and glomeruli could be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, at least in CIII patients, down-regulation of the VEGF-Flt-1 system could be involved in the mechanisms leading to tubulointerstitial diabetic lesions.

Direct effect of chronic cyclosporine treatment on collagen III mRNA expression and deposition in rat kidneys.

BACKGROUND: It is hypothesized that in acute and chronic CsA nephrotoxicity, in vivo models CsA side-effects are mediated by Renin-Angiotensin II (RAS)-TGF-beta-1 pathway. However, to induce chronic nephrotoxicity, CsA administration has to be combined with a low salt diet, which causes hemodynamic changes and RAS up-regulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to define any direct correlation between CsA and nephrotoxicity, we studied in normal sodium fed rats, the chronic effects of CsA administration (group-1 treated with 12.5 mg/Kg/day of CsA subcutaneously; group 2 received daily placebo; group 3 interrupted CsA injection after 60 days), on renal TGF-beta-1 and collagen III expression, and on TGF-beta-1, collagen III and IV deposition. Sacrifices were performed after 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks (wks) and kidneys were harvested for immunohistological studies and RT/PCR analysis. RESULTS: No difference of TGF-beta-1 expression and deposition was found among groups. Starting from the 2nd week of treatment, an increased collagen III deposition was evident in vessels and in outer medulla with subsequent extension at the 4th week to medullary rays and to cortex interstitium. The deposition paralleled the renal collagen III mRNA up-regulation: it was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (p < 0.009 at 2nd wk; p < 0.016 at 4th wk). Collagen IV deposition did not differ between groups at any point. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that chronic CsA administration can induce, in normal fed rats, the process of interstitial fibrogenesis through TGF-beta non-related mechanisms.

Mesangial cell proliferation in long-term streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in the rat and the renoprotective activity of heparin.

At present, it is not clear whether mesangial proliferation underlies mesangial expansion in diabetic nephropathy. To address this issue and the relationship between heparin's renoprotective and antimitogenic activities, we studied three streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat groups 5 and 12 months after diabetes induction: two groups were administered a modified heparin, each with a different protocol, and two healthy rat groups, one of which was treated with the same heparin, served as controls. Untreated diabetic animals developed clear evidence of nephropathy, namely expansion of the glomerular extracellular matrix, as expressed by glomerular basement membrane thickening, and increased mesangial deposition of type IV collagen. These alterations were prevented/cured by heparin treatment. Kidney sections were processed immunohistochemically for proliferating cell nuclear antigen and smooth muscle alpha-actin which is expressed only by proliferating mesangial cells. The number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen positive nuclei and alpha-actin-positive cells per glomerulus did not differ between groups at both 5 and 12 months. In conclusion, there is no evidence that mesangial proliferation is increased in late experimental diabetic nephropathy, and heparin seems to be renoprotective through mechanisms other than antiproliferation.

Glycosaminoglycans prevent the functional and morphological peritoneal derangement in an experimental model of peritoneal fibrosis.

Chronic peritoneal dialysis results in fibrosis of the peritoneal membrane, which leads to progressive reduction in dialytic efficacy. It was recently shown that the intraperitoneal administration of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) improves the efficiency of peritoneal dialysis in CAPD patients. To verify whether the favorable effects of GAGs are purely functional or involve a morphological amelioration of the peritoneal membrane structure, a study was carried out in an animal model of plasticizer-induced peritoneal fibrosis. Rats, in which chronic renal failure had been induced by subtotal nephrectomy, received either placebo, plasticizers (i.p.), or GAGs (s.c.), or plasticizers (i.p.) and GAGs (s.c.). Urea dialysate-to-plasma equilibrium, urea and albumin peritoneal clearance, and glucose reabsorption were determined. The peritoneal membrane was evaluated morphometrically and histologically. In plasticizer-treated animals, peritoneal function tests and morphology were dramatically deranged. On the contrary, the subcutaneous administration of GAGs in plasticizer-treated rats maintained the peritoneal physiology and normal structure. The subcutaneous administration of GAGs protects peritoneal functions by affecting the remodeling of the peritoneum, rather than by a purely functional or simple mechanical effect.

Molecular biology of diabetic glomerulosclerosis.

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the leading causes of renal failure in Western countries, where diabetic patients account for nearly half of all patients on haemodialysis. Progressive expansion of the mesangial matrix, and thickening of the glomerular and tubular basement membranes without signs of major cell proliferation are hallmarks of human and experimental diabetic nephropathy. These lesions eventually lead to glomerular fibrosis, a central pathological feature in many human acute and chronic kidney diseases, which progressively destroys the renal filtration unit, and may finally cause renal failure. Indeed, structure function relationship studies have shown that mesangial matrix expansion is strongly related to the clinical manifestation of diabetic nephropathy.

A comparative kinetic RT/-PCR strategy for the quantitation of mRNAs in microdissected human renal biopsy specimens.

Molecular biology techniques, to be applicable to a diagnostic renal biopsy specimen, should (1) be highly sensitive to be performed on a very small quantity of tissue; (2) be quantitative because they have to analyze genes normally expressed in the tissue and (3) allow the analysis of as large a number of genes as possible. Among different methods, only the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT/-PCR) might comply with previous requisites, but the few RT/-PCR examples on renal biopsies in the literature do not allow starting RNA quantification and quality control; furthermore they have the drawback of analyzing only few genes. In an ongoing study to assess the expression of a number of genes in glomeruli and in tubulointerstitium of patients with different nephropathies, we developed a comparative RT/-PCR kinetic strategy based on the purification and quantification of total glomerular and tubulointerstitial RNA and on the use of an internal standard, the housekeeping gene G3PDH. We demonstrate that in microdissected diagnostic renal biopsies (1) glomerular and interstitial starting RNA can be quantified; (2) the G3PDH gene may be used both as an internal standard and as an indirect marker of RNA integrity; (3) as low as 28 ng of total RNA is sufficient to obtain PCR products of eight genes, and (4) it is worth to operate on microdissected biopsy specimens because of the different expression of genes in the two renal compartments.