Search results for "NSC"

Intracortical facilitation within the migraine motor cortex depends on the stimulation intensity. A paired-pulse TMS study

2018

Abstract Introduction Connectivity within the primary motor cortex can be measured using the paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) paradigm. This evaluates the effect of a first conditioning stimulus on the motor evoked potential (MEP) elicited by a second test stimulus when different interstimulus intervals are used. Aim of the present study was to provide, in patients suffering from migraine without aura (MwoA), additional information on intracortical facilitation (ICF), short intracortical inhibition (SICI), and long intracortical inhibition (LICI), using different intensities of the test stimulus (TS). Methods We enrolled 24 patients with episodic MwoA and 24 age- and sex…

Centenarians Overexpress Pluripotency-Related Genes.

2018

Abstract Human mesenchymal cells can become pluripotent by the addition of Yamanaka factors OCT3/4, SOX2, c-MYC, KLF4. We have recently reported that centenarians overexpress BCL-xL, which has been shown to improve pluripotency; thus, we aimed to determine the expression of pluripotency-related genes in centenarians. We recruited 22 young, 32 octogenarian, and 47 centenarian individuals and determined the mRNA expression of Yamanaka factors and other stemness-related cell surface marker genes (VIM, BMP4, NCAM, BMPR2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We found that centenarians overexpress OCT3/4, SOX2, c-MYC, VIM, BMP4, NCAM, and BMPR2…

Detection of RET rearrangements in papillary thyroid carcinoma using RT-PCR and FISH techniques - A molecular and clinical analysis.

2019

Abstract Introduction Oncogenic BRAF and RAS mutations as well as multiple known (and yet unknown) RET fusion oncogenes comprise the majority of causative molecular alterations in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Apparently “mutation-negative” PTCs encompass a heterogenous group impeding analysis of prognostic significance of underlying genetics. Material and methods BRAF wild type PTC tissue of 56 patients was analyzed using two established methods: hybrid-specific RT-PCR for the predominant rearrangement RET/PTC1 and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Clinical features of the cases with and without RET rearrangement were compared (patient age, gender, tumor size, focality, lymph …

Altered chemotactic response to CXCL12 in patients carrying GATA2 mutations.

2015

Abstract GATA2 deficiency—formerly described as MonoMAC syndrome; dendritic cells, monocytes, B cells, and natural killer cell deficiency; familial myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia; or Emberger syndrome—encompasses a range of hematologic and nonhematologic anomalies, mainly characterized by monocytopenia, B lymphopenia, natural killer cell cytopenia, neutropenia, immunodeficiency, and a high risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia. Herein, we present 7 patients with GATA2 deficiency recruited into the French Severe Chronic Neutropenia Registry, which enrolls patients with all kinds of congenital neutropenia. We performed extended immunophenotyping of their whole blood lymph…

The JAK2 pathway is activated in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

2018

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most rapidly progressive and fatal fibrotic disorder, with no curative therapies. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) protein is activated in lung fibroblasts and alveolar type II cells (ATII), thereby contributing to lung fibrosis in IPF. Although activation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) has been implicated in proliferative disorders, its role in IPF is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze JAK2 activation in IPF, and to determine whether JAK2/STAT3 inhibition is a potential therapeutic strategy for this disease. Methods and results: JAK2/p-JAK2 and STAT3/pSTAT3 expression was evaluated using quantitative …

SOX2 expression diminishes with ageing in several tissues in mice and humans.

2017

SOX2 (Sex-determining region Y box 2) is a transcription factor expressed in several foetal and adult tissues and its deregulated activity has been linked to chronic diseases associated with ageing. Nevertheless, the level of SOX2 expression in aged individuals at the tissue level has not previously been examined. In this work, we show that SOX2 expression decreases significantly in the brain with ageing, in both humans and rodents. The administration of resveratrol for 6 months in mice partly attenuated this reduction. We also identified an age-related decline in SOX2 mRNA and protein expression in several other organs, namely, the lung, heart, kidney, spleen and liver. Moreover, periphera…

High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation to both primary motor cortices improves unimanual and bimanual dexterity.

2017

While most research on brain stimulation with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targets unimanual motor tasks, little is known about its effects on bimanual motor performance. This study aims to investigate the effects of tDCS on unimanual as well as bimanual motor dexterity. We examined the effects of bihemispheric anodal high-definition tDCS (HD-atDCS) on both primary motor cortices (M1) applied concurrent with unimanual and bimanual motor training. We then measured the effects with the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) and compared them to a sham stimulation. Between a pretest and posttest, 31 healthy, right-handed participants practiced the PPT on three consecutive days and receiv…

Annulate Lamellae in a Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor

2016

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Vulva: Report of 2 Cases, Including a De Novo Dedifferentiated Solitary Fibrous Tumor Diagnosed After Molecular Demonst…

2018

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a neoplasm of fibroblastic lineage that has been documented in almost every anatomic location. Vulval SFT is very rare with only 10 cases reported to date. We present 2 additional SFTs located in the vulva, in adult women of 59 and 25 yr of age. The first showed a classic morphology and immunophenotype with uniform and strong STAT6 nuclear expression. The other one was a spindle-cell de novo dedifferentiated SFT with heterogeneous nuclear and cytoplasmic STAT6 staining, which could only be correctly diagnosed after molecular analysis with demonstration of a NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion. This genetic aberration is considered to represent the major pathogenic driver …

Severe pre-eclampsia is associated with alterations in cytotrophoblasts of the smooth chorion.

2016

Pre-eclampsia (PE), which affects ∼8% of first pregnancies, is associated with faulty placentation. Extravillous cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) fail to differentiate properly, contributing to shallow uterine invasion and deficient spiral artery remodeling. We studied the effects of severe PE (sPE) on the smooth chorion portion of the fetal membranes. The results showed a significant expansion of the CTB layer. The cells displayed enhanced expression of stage-specific antigens that extravillous CTBs normally upregulate as they exit the placenta. Transcriptomics revealed the dysregulated expression of many genes (e.g. placental proteins, markers of oxidative stress). We confirmed an sPE-related incr…