H255Q was the most common GBA mutation among Greek PD patients (4/172). V460L was only found in control individuals (2/132). Overall, GBA mutations were significantly overrepresented in a subgroup of early onset PD patients, compared to controls (P = 0.019, OR = 4.2; 95%CI = 1.28-13.82), suggesting that GBA mutations may modify age of onset for PD. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.”
“Recent
studies showed that air pollution is a risk factor for hospitalization for arrhythmias. However, there is limited evidence to suggest which subpopulations are at higher risk for arrhythmia development due to increased air pollutant exposure. This study was undertaken NU7441 molecular weight to examine the modifying effect of specific secondary diagnosis (including hypertension, diabetes, and congestive heart failure) on the relationship between frequency of emergency room (ER) visits for arrhythmias and ambient air pollutants concentrations. ER visits for arrhythmias and ambient air pollution data for Taipei were obtained for the period 2000-2006. The relative risk of selleck ER visits was estimated using a case-crossover approach. Data showed an increased risk of ER visits for arrhythmias in relation to increased O3 levels among individuals with a secondary diagnosis of hypertension and congestive heart failure.”
“The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is cleaved enzymatically by non-amyloidogenic
and amyloidogenic pathways. alpha-Secretase cleaves APP Lonafarnib mouse within P-amyloid protein (A beta) sequence, resulting in the release of a secreted fragment of APP (sAPP alpha) and precluding A beta generation. Cryptotanshinone (CTS), an active component of the medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza, has been shown to improve learning and memory in several pharmacological models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However. the effects of CTS on the A beta plaque pathology and the APP processing in AD are unclear. Here we reported that CTS strongly attenuated amyloid plaque deposition in the brain of APP/PS1 transgenic mice. In addition, CTS significantly improved spatial
learning and memory in APP/PS1 mice assessed by the Morris water maze testing. To define the exact molecular mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of CTS, we investigated the effects of the CTS on APP processing in rat cortical neuronal cells overexpressing Swedish mutant human APP695. CTS was found to decrease A beta generation in concentration-dependent (0-10 mu M) manner. Interestingly, the N-terminal APP cleavage product, sAPP alpha was markedly increased by CTS. Further study showed that alpha-secretase activity was increased by CTS. Taken together, our results suggested CTS improved the cognitive ability in AD transgenic mice and promoted APP metabolism toward the non-amyloidogenic products pathway in rat cortical neuronal cells. CTS shows a promising novel way for the therapy of AD.