Introduction. Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is a therapeutical option for the treatment of drug-resistant epileptic patients. The response to VNS varies from patient to patient and is difficult to predict. The proposed study is based on our previous work, identifying relative mean power in pre-implantation EEG as a reliable marker for VNS efficacy prediction in adult patients. Our study has two main tasks. Firstly, to confirm the utility of relative mean power as a feature correlating with VNS efficacy in children. The second is to validate the applicability of our prediction classifier, Pre-X-Stim, in the pediatric population. Material and Methods. We identified a group of children with drug-resistant epilepsy. We included only children in whom EEG contained photic stimulation (Task 1) or was recorded based on the defined acquisition protocol used for development Pre-X-Stim (Task 2). Relative mean powers were calculated. VNS responders and non-responders were compared based on relative mean powers' values. In the next step, we evaluate the utility of our classifier, Pre-X-Stim, in the children population. Results: We identified 57 children treated with VNS - 17 patients were recruited for the Task 1 and 7 patients for the Task 2. When focusing on relative mean powers in EEG spectra, we observed statistically significant differences in theta range. The Pre-X-Stim algorithm was able to predict VNS efficacy correctly in 6 out of 7 patients (the accuracy 83.3%, the sensitivity 75%, the specificity 100%). Conclusions. Based on our results, it seems that children and adults share a similar pattern of EEG relative mean power changes. These changes can be used for pre-implantation prediction of VNS efficacy.
- MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- elektroencefalografie * metody MeSH
- epilepsie * terapie patofyziologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- předškolní dítě MeSH
- refrakterní epilepsie * terapie patofyziologie MeSH
- skalp MeSH
- vagová stimulace * metody MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- předškolní dítě MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The ABCB1 gene, encoding the ATP-dependent translocase ABCB1, plays a crucial role in the clearance of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides and the transport of cholesterol, implicating it in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The study aims to investigate the association between polymorphisms in the ABCB1 gene and cognitive decline in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), particularly focusing on language function. A longitudinal cohort study involving 1 005 participants from the Czech Brain Aging Study was conducted. Participants included individuals with Alzheimer's disease, amnestic MCI, non-amnestic MCI, subjective cognitive decline, and healthy controls. Next-generation sequencing was utilized to analyze the entire ABCB1 gene. Cognitive performance was assessed using a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests, including the Boston Naming Test and the semantic verbal fluency test. Ten ABCB1 polymorphisms (rs55912869, rs56243536, rs10225473, rs10274587, rs2235040, rs12720067, rs12334183, rs10260862, rs201620488, and rs28718458) were significantly associated with cognitive performance, particularly in language decline among amnestic MCI patients. In silico analyses revealed that some of these polymorphisms may affect the binding sites for transcription factors (HNF-3alpha, C/EBPβ, GR-alpha) and the generation of novel exonic splicing enhancers. Additionally, polymorphism rs55912869 was identified as a potential binding site for the microRNA hsa-mir-3163. Our findings highlight the significant role of ABCB1 polymorphisms in cognitive decline, particularly in language function, among individuals with amnestic MCI. These polymorphisms may influence gene expression and function through interactions with miRNAs, transcription factors, and alternative splicing mechanisms.
- MeSH
- Alzheimerova nemoc genetika MeSH
- jednonukleotidový polymorfismus * MeSH
- kognitivní dysfunkce * genetika MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- longitudinální studie MeSH
- neuropsychologické testy MeSH
- P-glykoproteiny genetika MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- vysoce účinné nukleotidové sekvenování MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
Background and objective: Nursing homes are threatened by external and internal threats, effect of which may result in a crisis situation (state of emergency). While managing an already existing emergency, it is necessary to create conditions allowing the elderly to maintain their fundamental human and civil rights. Any interference with human and civil rights is acceptable only in a state of emergency when crisis measures are applied. Social isolation was one of the emergency measures within the Covid-19 pandemics and involuntary social isolation may result in one ́s state of depression. To eliminate this prediction, it is necessary to create such conditions that enable the elderly to maintain their basic human needs as well as civil rights. The authors therefore aim to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of possible alternative communication tools and strategies in the nursing homes along with the ways of a potential reduction of negative effects of social contacts restrictions.Methods: On the basis of an online questionnaire, a community of experts evaluated alternative communication tools on a scale from 1 to 5, considering three factors: 1. benefit for the elderly; 2. financial requirements for purchasing/provision for a nursing home; 3. organization requirements for a nursing home. A cost-benefit evaluation was performed to determine a ranking of individual alternative tools.Results: The acquired results of questionnaire survey served as a tool to determine the ranking of importance of individual alternative communication tools that are feasible depending on specific conditions of a nursing home.Conclusion: The research identified useful tools that may help in the nursing homes to mitigate the impacts resulting from restrictions applied in the state of emergency and associated initiatives in the field of mental health.
- MeSH
- COVID-19 psychologie MeSH
- duševní zdraví MeSH
- komunikace * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pečovatelské domovy organizace a řízení MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- sociální izolace * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Úmrtí císaře Montezumy zřejmě na následky kraniocerebrálního poranění nepochybně předznamenalo konec aztécké říše. Ovšem vlastní pád aztécké říše zásadnějším způsobem ovlivnilo jiné kraniocerebrální poranění a především jeho úspěšná léčba - otevřená, zřejmě kontaminovaná impresivní fraktura kalvy španělského konquistadora Hernanda Cortése, o které překvapivě existují pouze omezené literární prameny. Po úspěšné operační léčbě se Hernando Cortés znovu ujal velení armády, se kterou dobyl aztécké hlavní město, a ukončil tak existenci aztécké říše. Jeho další výboje pak dostaly do španělského područí nejen velkou část Střední Ameriky s jejím bohatstvím, což ovlivnilo španělskou i světovou historii.
The death of Emperor Montezuma, apparently from craniocerebral injury, undoubtedly marked the end of the Aztec Empire. However, another craniocerebral injury affected the Aztec empire's downfall in a more fundamental way, and, above all, its successful treatment - the open, apparently contaminated, impresive calvarial fracture of Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortés, of which, surprisingly, there are only limited literary sources. After successful surgical treatment, Hernando Cortés resumed command of the army with which he captured the Aztec capital, ending the existence of the Aztec Empire. His other conquests then brought not only much of Central America with its riches into Spanish thrall, affecting not only Spanish but also world history.
- Klíčová slova
- Montezuma, hernando Cortés,
- MeSH
- dějiny 16. století MeSH
- kraniocerebrální traumata * chirurgie dějiny MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- neurochirurgické výkony dějiny metody MeSH
- trepanace dějiny MeSH
- vpáčené fraktury lebky chirurgie dějiny MeSH
- Check Tag
- dějiny 16. století MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- historické články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is an important gene in studies of the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Recent studies have suggested a possible link between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SZ). At the same time, significant changes in insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) gene expression have been found in the brains of people with schizophrenia. These findings highlight the need to further investigate the role of IDE in schizophrenia pathogenesis. METHODS: We enrolled 733 participants from the Czech Republic, including 383 patients with schizophrenia and 350 healthy controls. Our study focused on the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2421943 in the IDE gene, which has previously been associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The SNP was analyzed using the PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: The G allele of the rs2421943 polymorphism was found to significantly increase the risk of developing SZ (p < 0.01) when a gender-based analysis showed that both AG and GG genotypes were associated with a more than 1.55 times increased risk of SZ in females (p < 0.03) but not in males. Besides, we identified a potential binding site at the G allele locus for has-miR-7110-5p, providing a potential mechanism for the observed association. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm the role of the IDE gene in schizophrenia pathogenesis and suggest that future research should investigate the relationship between miRNA and estrogen influence on IDE expression in schizophrenia pathogenesis.
- MeSH
- Alzheimerova nemoc * genetika metabolismus MeSH
- diabetes mellitus 2. typu * epidemiologie genetika MeSH
- genotyp MeSH
- insulinasa * genetika metabolismus MeSH
- jednonukleotidový polymorfismus genetika MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- schizofrenie * genetika MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Since its approval as an adjunct treatment for refractory partial epilepsy, the positive effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on seizure frequency and severity have been supported by many studies. Seizure reduction of more than 50 % can be expected in at least 50 % of patients. However, a complete post-VNS seizure freedom is rarely achieved and 25 % of patients do not benefit from VNS. Our study provides an overview of the potential predictors of VNS response, from the most simple and basic data to sophisticated EEG processing studies and functional imaging studying brain connectivity. The data support better outcomes in younger patients with early VNS implantation, in patients with posttraumatic epilepsy or tuberous sclerosis, and in patients without bilateral interictal epileptiform discharges. The variability of heart activity has also been studied with some promising results. Because the generally accepted hypothesis of the VNS mechanism is the modulation of synaptic activity in multiple cortical and subcortical regions of the brain, the studies of brain response to external stimulation and/or of brain connectivity were used for models predicting the effect of VNS in individual patients. Although the predictive value of these models is high, the required special equipment and sophisticated mathematical tools limit their routine use (Ref. 58).
BACKGROUND: Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a widely distributed Zn2+-binding metalloprotease that cleaves multiple short and medium-sized peptides prone to form β-structures. These include insulin and amyloid-β peptides. Accumulation and fibrillation of amyloid-β peptides leading to the formation of amyloid plaques is a characteristic sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the rs2421943 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the IDE gene as a risk factor for MCI (mild cognitive impairment) and AD. METHODS: Two independent groups of 1670 patients and controls were included. The AD group consisted of 595 patients and 400 controls; the MCI group involved 135 patients and 540 matched controls. PCR and restriction fragment length analysis were used to analyze the rs2421943 polymorphism. Using the miRBase and RNA22 prediction tools in silico indicated that the rs2421943 polymorphism is a potential target for a specific miRNA (hsa-miR-7110-5p). RESULTS: AG and GG genotypes of rs2421943 significantly increased the risk of AD, and the AG genotype increased the risk of MCI. It seems the G allele both increases the risk of AD and accelerates the transition through the MCI phase. In silico study revealed that rs2421943 is inside the sequence binding miRNA hsa-miR-7110-5p. The polymorphism could affect the rate of IDE pre-RNA (heterogeneous nuclear RNA, hnRNA) processing, resulting in slower translation, lower levels of IDE, deficient removal of amyloid-β fragments, and greater risk of and/or accelerated progression of AD. CONCLUSION: GG and AG genotypes of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs2421943 of insulindegrading enzyme gene increase the risk of AD and MCI.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was the analysis of WNT10A variants in seven families of probands with various forms of tooth agenesis and self-reported family history of cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 60 young subjects (aged 13 to 17) from the Czech Republic with various forms of tooth agenesis. Dental phenotypes were assessed using Planmeca ProMax 3D (Planmeca Oy, Finland) with Planmeca Romexis software (version 2.9.2) together with oral examinations. After screening PAX9, MSX1, EDA, EDAR, AXIN2 and WNT10A genes on the Illumina MiSeq platform (Illumina, USA), we further analyzed the evolutionarily highly conserved WNT10A gene by capillary sequencing in the seven families. RESULTS: All the detected variants were heterozygous or compound heterozygous with various levels of phenotypic expression. The most severe phenotype (oligodontia) was found in a proband who was compound heterozygous for the previously identified WNT10A variant p.Phe228Ile and a newly discovered c.748G > A variant (p.Gly250Arg) of WNT10A. The newly identified variant causes substitution of hydrophobic glycine for hydrophilic arginine. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the amino acid changes in otherwise highly conserved sequences significantly affect the dental phenotype. No relationship between the presence of WNT10A variants and a risk of cancer has been found. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Screening of PAX9, MSX1, EDA, EDAR, AXIN2 and WNT10A genes in hope to elucidate the pattern of inheritance in families.
The risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has a strong genetic component, also in the case of late-onset AD (LOAD). Attempts to sequence whole genome in large populations of subjects have identified only a few mutations common to most of the patients with AD. Targeting smaller well-characterized groups of subjects where specific genetic variations in selected genes could be related to precisely defined psychological traits typical of dementia is needed to better understand the heritability of AD. More than one thousand participants, categorized according to cognitive deficits, were assessed using 14 psychometric tests evaluating performance in five cognitive domains (attention/working memory, memory, language, executive functions, visuospatial functions). CD36 was selected as a gene previously shown to be implicated in the etiology of AD. A total of 174 polymorphisms were tested for associations with cognition-related traits and other AD-relevant data using the next generation sequencing. Several associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP's) and the cognitive deficits have been found (rs12667404 with language performance, rs3211827 and rs41272372 with executive functions, rs137984792 with visuospatial performance). The most prominent association was found between a group of genotypes in six genetically linked and the age at which the AD patients presented with, or developed, a full-blown dementia. The identified alleles appear to be associated with a delay in the onset of LOAD. In silico studies suggested that the SNP's alter the expression of CD36 thus potentially affecting CD36-related neuroinflammation and other molecular and cellular mechanisms known to be involved in the neuronal loss leading to AD. The main outcome of the study is an identification of a set of six new mutations apparently conferring a distinct protection against AD and delaying the onset by about 8 years. Additional mutations in CD36 associated with certain traits characteristic of the cognitive decline in AD have also been found.
Clusterin (CLU; also known as apolipoprotein J, ApoJ) is a protein of inconstant structure known to be involved in diverse processes inside and outside of brain cells. CLU can act as a protein chaperon or protein solubilizer, lipid transporter as well as redox sensor and be anti- or proapoptotic, depending on context. Primary structure of CLU is encoded by CLU gene which contains single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP's) associated with the risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Studying a sample of Czech population and using the case-control association approach we identified C allele of the SNP rs11136000 as conferring a reduced risk of LOAD, more so in females than in males. Additionally, data from two smaller subsets of the population sample suggested a possible association of rs11136000 with diabetes mellitus. In a parallel study, we found no association between rs11136000 and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Our findings on rs11136000 and LOAD contradict those of some previous studies done elsewhere. We discuss the multiple roles of CLU in a broad range of molecular mechanisms that may contribute to the variability of genetic studies of CLU in various ethnic groups. The above discordance notwithstanding, our conclusions support the association of rs1113600 with the risk of LOAD.
- MeSH
- Alzheimerova nemoc etiologie genetika MeSH
- genetická predispozice k nemoci MeSH
- jednonukleotidový polymorfismus MeSH
- klusterin genetika MeSH
- kognitivní dysfunkce etiologie genetika MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
