An Integrative Analysis of DNA Methylation Pattern in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Samples Reveals a Distinct DNA Methylation Profile between Tissues and a Novel Muscle-Associated Epigenetic Dysregulation.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a progressive, non-treatable, multi-systemic disorder. To investigate the contribution of epigenetics to the complexity of DM1, we compared DNA methylation profiles of four annotated CpG islands (CpGis) in the locus and neighbouring genes, in distinct DM1 tissues and derived cells, representing six DM1 subtypes, by bisulphite sequencing. In blood, we found no differences in CpGi 74, 43 and 36 in DNA methylation profile.

New spinocerebellar ataxia subtype caused by mutation triggering mitochondrial dysregulation (SCA49).

Spinocerebellar ataxias consist of a highly heterogeneous group of inherited movement disorders clinically characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia variably associated with additional distinctive clinical signs. The genetic heterogeneity is evidenced by the myriad of associated genes and underlying genetic defects identified. In this study, we describe a new spinocerebellar ataxia subtype in nine members of a Spanish five-generation family from Menorca with affected individuals variably presenting with ataxia, nystagmus, dysarthria, polyneuropathy, pyramidal signs, cerebellar atrophy and distinctive cerebral demyelination.

Current Incidence and Risk Factors of Fecal Incontinence After Acute Stroke Affecting Functionally Independent People.

Previously published retrospective series show a high prevalence of fecal incontinence (FI) in stroke patients. We aimed to analyze in a prospective series the current incidence of FI in acute stroke in functionally independent patients and its evolution over time and the patient characteristics associated with the appearance of FI in acute stroke. We included consecutive patients with acute stroke admitted in our stroke unit who fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: a first episode of stroke, aged >18 years, with no previous functional dependency [modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤ 2] and without previous known FI.

Clinical and Laboratory Features in Anti-NF155 Autoimmune Nodopathy.

Background And Objectives: To study the clinical and laboratory features of antineurofascin-155 (NF155)-positive autoimmune nodopathy (AN).

Methods: Patients with anti-NF155 antibodies detected on routine immunologic testing were included. Clinical characteristics, treatment response, and functional scales (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] and Inflammatory Rasch-built Overall Disability Scale [I-RODS]) were retrospectively collected at baseline and at the follow-up.

The sternohyoid muscle flap for new dynamic facial reanimation technique: Anatomical study and clinical results.

Background: Long-term facial nerve palsy has a highly negative impact on patients' quality of life. In 2016, Alam reported one case of facial reanimation with the sternohyoid muscle after publishing a preclinical study in 2013. Despite the potentially ideal characteristics of this muscle for reanimation of facial palsy, this technique is still not widely used.

The Biomarker Potential of miRNAs in Myotonic Dystrophy Type I.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are mostly known for their gene regulation properties, but they also play an important role in intercellular signaling. This means that they can be found in bodily fluids, giving them excellent biomarker potential. Myotonic Dystrophy type I (DM1) is the most frequent autosomal dominant muscle dystrophy in adults, with an estimated prevalence of 1:8000.

Preliminary Findings on CTG Expansion Determination in Different Tissues from Patients with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is characterized by a high genetic and clinical variability. Determination of the genetic variability in DM1 might help to determine whether there is an association between CTG (Cytosine-Thymine-Guanine) expansion and the clinical manifestations of this condition. We studied the variability of the CTG expansion (progenitor, mode, and longest allele, respectively, and genetic instability) in three tissues (blood, muscle, and tissue) from eight patients with DM1.

Three-dimensional imaging in myotonic dystrophy type 1: Linking molecular alterations with disease phenotype.

Objective: We aimed to determine whether 3D imaging reconstruction allows identifying molecular:clinical associations in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1).

Methods: We obtained myoblasts from 6 patients with DM1 and 6 controls. We measured cytosine-thymine-guanine (CTG) expansion and detected RNA foci and muscleblind like 1 (MBNL1) through 3D reconstruction.

The Need for Establishing a Universal CTG Sizing Method in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

The number of cytosine-thymine-guanine (CTG) repeats ('CTG expansion size') in the 3'untranslated region (UTR) region of the -protein kinase () gene is a hallmark of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), which has been related to age of disease onset and clinical severity. However, accurate determination of CTG expansion size is challenging due to its characteristic instability. We compared five different approaches (heat pulse extension polymerase chain reaction [PCR], long PCR-Southern blot [with three different primers sets-1, 2 and 3] and small pool [SP]-PCR) to estimate CTG expansion size in the progenitor allele as well as the most abundant CTG expansion size, in 15 patients with DM1.

Clinical and therapeutic features of myasthenia gravis in adults based on age at onset.

Objective: To describe the characteristics of patients with very-late-onset myasthenia gravis (MG).

Methods: This observational cross-sectional multicenter study was based on information in the neurologist-driven Spanish Registry of Neuromuscular Diseases (NMD-ES). All patients were >18 years of age at onset of MG and onset occurred between 2000 and 2016 in all cases.

A New Methodology for Intraoperative Monitoring of the Functional Integrity of the Phrenic Nerve During Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Introduction: The phrenic nerve could be easily injured during cardiothoracic surgeries because of its anatomical relationships. The aim of this study is to describe a new, feasible, and reproducible methodology to achieve a continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring of the phrenic nerve.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent open-chest surgery were included.

A DM1 family with interruptions associated with atypical symptoms and late onset but not with a milder phenotype.

Carriage of interruptions in CTG repeats of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase gene has been associated with a broad spectrum of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) phenotypes, mostly mild. However, the data available on interrupted DM1 patients and their phenotype are scarce. We studied 49 Spanish DM1 patients, whose clinical phenotype was evaluated in depth.

Correction to: Manifesting heterozygotes in McArdle disease: a myth or a reality-role of statins.

Unfortunately the name of one of the authors was spelled incorrectly in the published original article. The correct name is Alejandro Santos-Lozano. The original article got updated.

Manifesting heterozygotes in McArdle disease: a myth or a reality-role of statins.

McArdle disease is an autosomal recessive condition caused by deficiency of the PYGM gene-encoded muscle isoform of glycogen phosphorylase. Some cases of "manifesting" heterozygotes or carriers (i.e.

Anti-NF155 chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy strongly associates to HLA-DRB15.

Background: The aim of the research is to study the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II allele frequencies in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) associated with anti-neurofascin 155 (NF155) antibodies.

Methods: Thirteen anti-NF155+ and 35 anti-NF155 negative (anti-NF155neg) CIDP patients were included in a case-control study. The frequencies of the DRB1 HLA allele were analyzed in all patients while DQ frequencies were only studied in patients sharing the DRB1*15 allele.

Implementation of Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring during Endovascular Procedures in the Central Nervous System.

Background And Objective: Intraoperative monitoring (IOM) has been used in different surgical disciplines since the 1980s. Nonetheless, regular routine use of IOM in interventional neuroradiology units has only been reported in a few centers. The aim of this study is to report our experience, 1 year after deciding to implement standardized IOM during endovascular treatment of vascular abnormalities of the central nervous system.