Can loss of the swallow tail sign help distinguish between Parkinson Disease and the Parkinson-Plus syndromes?

Purpose: To determine if loss of the swallow tail sign (STS) can distinguish Parkinson Disease (PD) from the Parkinson-Plus syndromes.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with PD, 21 with Parkinson-Plus syndromes, and 14 control patients were included. Presence of the STS was assessed.

Nitric oxide may inhibit neointimal hyperplasia by decreasing isopeptidase T levels and activity in the vasculature.

Objective: Isopeptidase T is a cysteine protease deubiquitinating enzyme that hydrolyzes unanchored polyubiquitin chains to free monoubiquitin. Nitric oxide (NO) decreases 26S proteasome activity in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and inhibits neointimal hyperplasia in animal models. As NO can cause S-nitrosylation of active-site cysteines, we hypothesize that NO inhibits isopeptidase T activity through S-nitrosylation.

Isopropylamine NONOate (IPA/NO) moderates neointimal hyperplasia following vascular injury.

Objective: Isopropylamine NONOate (IPA/NO) is a nitroxyl (HNO) donor at physiologic pH. HNO is a positive inotrope and vasodilator, but little is known about its effect on neointimal hyperplasia. The aims of this study are to determine the effect of IPA/NO on endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in vitro and to determine if IPA/NO inhibits neointimal hyperplasia in vivo.